\nThe Plan covers both City of Newcastle operations and Newcastle as a whole to accelerate emission reduction across the City through a suite of sensible and prudent action and initiatives.\u00a0 Working collaboratively with other progressive organisations, the Plan takes advantage of the economic opportunities that arise from a clean energy and low-emissions industry landscape.
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![\"Summerhill-Solar-Farm-1.JPG\"](\"https:\/\/www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au\/getattachment\/Council\/News\/Latest-News\/City-of-Newcastle-sets-its-five-year-climate-plan\/Summerhill-Solar-Farm-1.JPG\" "\\"Summerhill-Solar-Farm-1.JPG\\"")
The Climate Action Plan is listed for consideration at Tuesday\u2019s Ordinary Council Meeting and replaces the 2020 Carbon and Water Management Action Plan (CWMAP).\u00a0 The Plan sets new targets and outlines innovative and sustainable programs to achieve net zero emissions by 2030.\nLord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the Climate Action Plan would build upon the achievements of recent years that has led to Newcastle being recognised as one of Australia\u2019s leading Cities in sustainability.
\n\u201cCity of Newcastle has formally committed to the Paris Climate Agreement and we accept there is a global climate emergency.\u00a0 We owe it to our children to prioritise concrete action on climate change.
\nAs Novocastrians, we have seen firsthand the impacts of climate change, be it the erosion of Stockton Beach or increasingly severe storms that beached the Pasha Bulka,\u201d Cr Nelmes said.
\n\u201cThe Climate Action Plan sets ambitious goals and priorities for the next five years and follows the successful delivery of our previous Plan which included the transition to 100 percent renewable electricity.
\n\u201cThe City, in developing this Plan, has worked closely with the community, business and industry, while assessing global best practice and applying it in a local context.
\n\u201cOver the next five years we\u2019ll take advantage of emerging technology and utilise more recycled and low-emissions materials in our operations.
\n\u201cWe\u2019ll also look to our large fleet of vehicles and will work on a transition to electric vehicles as they become more prevalent, diverse and economically competitive.\u00a0 City of Newcastle, in collaboration with other city partner organisations, has been slowly investing in the rollout of vehicle charging infrastructure to support the international shift to electric vehicles.\u201d
\n\u201cWe\u2019re proud to be one of the most progressive cities in the country when it comes to tackling climate change and are confident this new Plan will keep us moving down this path of sustainability.\u00a0 It\u2019s important that as a city leader we respond to the increasing calls from our community to tackle what is this generations most important challenges.\u201d
\nIn the next five years under the Climate Action Plan, City of Newcastle will:
\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Reduce fuel use by 50% through transitioning CN\u2019s fleet to electric options
\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Reduce electricity use by 30% by switching all lighting to LEDs (or equivalent)
\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Increase renewable energy and battery storage
\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Support development of sustainable infrastructure
\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Encourage new community renewable energy projects
\nUnder the previous climate plan, City of Newcastle has:\u00a0<\/b>
\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Reduced electricity usage by 21 per cent
\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Upgraded 31 per cent of streetlights to LEDs
\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Secured 100 per cent of electricity from renewable sources
\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Reduced potable water usage by more than 14 per cent
\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Slashed the City\u2019s carbon footprint by 77 per cent for all operations other than waste
\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Reduced liquid fuel use by 7 per cent
\nCity of Newcastle is a founding member of Local Governments for Sustainability (ICLEI), a founding member of the Business Renewables Centre, a member of the Cities Power Partnership, a member of the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy, and recently became a Pioneer City for ICLEI\u2019s CitiesWithNature program.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"