South Australia’s capital city, Adelaide, has been ranked in the top 10 globally for climate change reporting in the CDP Cities 2015 Report.
CDP, formerly known as Climate Disclosure Project, holds the largest collection of self reported climate change, water and forest-risk data in the world.
“This international report is another feather in the cap in the city’s race to become carbon neutral,” said South Australia’s Climate Change Minister, Ian Hunter.
“It provides credibility and adds to our international reputation as the place to come and build the businesses for the low-carbon economy of tomorrow.”
Adelaide City Council has been actively engaged in climate change mitigation and adaptation for nearly a decade and has committed to its own operations being carbon neutral by 2020.
Solar energy is playing a role in Adelaide City Council’s success; boosted by programs such as the Sustainable City Incentives Scheme. The scheme provides grants to businesses and residents for solar power systems, battery storage and LED replacement light projects; with the $135,000 in grants issued to date leveraging more than $1.3 million in investment.
According to Energy Matters, A 6.3kW solar power system installed in Adelaide with a Tesla Powerwall battery integrated can return a financial benefit of up to $3,676 a year; depending on site specifics and electricity usage profile.
Currently, the city-wide energy mix for Adelaide’s electricity is:
- Gas 45%
- Wind 31%
- Coal 17 %
- Solar 6%
Adelaide has a city-wide renewable energy target of 50% by 2025 – approximately 3,000 megawatts total capacity.
City of Adelaide generates an estimated million tonnes plus of greenhouse gas emissions a year, but has made significant headway in slashing carbon emissions.
“Reducing our emissions is a significant challenge and we have already seen some positive action with the City of Adelaide’s carbon emissions decreasing by 20 per cent from 2007 to 2013,” said Lord Mayor Martin Haese.
“This report further shows that the world is watching, and that our success is a showcase for what can be achieved when local and state government work together.”
The other top ten cities for climate change reporting are Atlanta (USA), Canberra (Australia), Durban (South Africa), Leon (Mexico), Mexico City, New Taipei City (Taiwan), Oslo (Norway), Ravenna (Italy) and Vancouver (Canada).
Data provided for the CDP Cities 2015 Report for Adelaide can be viewed here (PDF)
