Supporting community emissions reduction

Council’s Scope 1 and 2 emissions account for less than 2% of the region’s total emissions, with the remaining 98% coming from residential, commercial, and industrial (collectively known as 'community') sources. While Council does not have direct influence over community electricity use (~64% of the region’s emissions) or transport choices (~24% of the region’s emissions), it does play an important role in the delivery of local emissions reduction initiatives that can accelerate the region’s progress towards state and national emissions reduction targets.

Council is supporting community emissions reduction in the following ways:

• Funding community initiatives via the Sustainability and Climate Action Grants
• Increasing access to active travel with an extensive network of shared pathways and cycle lanes.
• Increasing access to emissions reduction technology and skills via the annual Cairns Ecofiesta.
• Delivering low carbon business workshops
• Supporting energy efficiency with guides on tropical building design
• Strategic planning and advocacy to position the region as a Smart Green Economy

To find out more about Cairns’ community emissions, head to the Cairns Climate Snapshot.