Net Zero Emissions Council by 2030

As part of its Climate Change Strategy 2030, Cairns Regional Council has committed to net zero emissions for its operations by 2030.

Image shows Cairns Regional Council's GHG emissions distribution according to scope. Scope 1 is 5%, scope 2 is 15%, scope 3 is 80%.

Council Emissions

From 2010 to 2021, Council reduced its Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 49%. See more on this in the State of Environment Report.

Council’s new emissions reporting (see figure right) also includes Scope 3 emissions, which is a more comprehensive measure of the emissions Council generates to meet the service and infrastructure needs of the Cairns community.

Reaching net zero is a much greater challenge with the inclusion of Scope 3 emissions, and creates opportunity for low carbon procurement in council contracts, influencing local markets and accelerating the transition to a zero emissions economy in the region.

In 2023, Council hosted 'Get Ready for Low Carbon Business' sessions with local business owners to help prepare them for this transition.

The path to Net Zero

Council is firmly on the path to Net Zero Emissions for its operations:

Scope 1 emissions reduction is led by landfill gas management, wastewater treatment processes and low emission vehicles.
Scope 2 emissions reduction is addressed through the uptake of renewable electricity See 100% renewable electricity for Council page for more information.
Scope 3 emissions reduction is progressed by embedding carbon considerations into procurement, contracts and capital works.
From 2030, any residual emissions will need to be offset through investment in carbon storage and reduction projects.

Click the image to the right for a more detailed view.