Sustainability and Environment

Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation  

 Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions are among the highest in the world on a per capita basis and the country trails behind similar developed countries in pledging to reduce emissions. 

Environmental sustainability is a key strategic value and direction for the Shire of Capel and considered a key principle of responsible decision making at all levels.

The Shire of Capel defines sustainability as: ‘Governance excellence to meet the needs of current generations without compromising the needs of future generations, while ensuring a balance between economic growth, environmental care, and social well-being.’

The Shire of Capel has developed a Sustainability Framework that outlines the Shire’s sustainability approach over the next five years – 2023 - 2027. This Framework clearly defines the Shire’s commitments on sustainability and embeds them in a broader reporting framework and action plan.

You can read the Sustainability Framework here:

Sustainability Framework 2023-27

 

 

Net Zero Targets

In October 2021, the Australian Government released its Long-Term Emissions Reduction Plan to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. The Plan aims at reaching a net zero economy through a technology-based approach, whilst protecting relevant industries, regions and jobs.

Following this, in June 2022, the WA State Government announced a commitment to reducing whole-of-government emissions by 80 per cent below 2020 levels by 2030 – a vital step towards achieving our existing whole-of-economy target of net zero by 2050.

A key action from the Sustainability Framework is to set corporate emissions reduction targets and work towards achieving the target through adaptation actions, and ongoing monitoring of emissions.

Sustainability Action Areas

Key priority areas that the Shire proposes to focus on are: general sustainability, energy, transport, water, waste and carbon. 

The Framework includes activities such as data collection and reporting that are ongoing over the 2023 – 2027 period. The Framework also includes some more general activities such as assessments of facilities, investigations of opportunities for climate adaptation actions and conducting trial projects which could lead to the development of new actions.

Implementation of the proposed actions will be subject to budget availability, including grants that may be obtained through State or Federal Government programs. Changes in Council priorities, technologies and State or Federal Government policies may also affect the viability of proposed actions.

The Shire will release a Sustainability Annual Progress Report each year to track progress towards the agreed targets set out in the Framework and Action Plan.