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During 2010 there was significant uncertainty within Australia surrounding the consideration of local councils within climate policy at both a national and state level. Alignment with the Australian National Greenhouse Emissions Reporting Scheme (NGERS) requirements was therefore considered a means of future proofing the carbon reporting procedures of council.
With this in mind, the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) engaged Arup to develop a Low Carbon Guide for Victorian Councils. The Guide provides Victorian local governments with a consistent approach to reporting and calculating their corporate greenhouse gas emissions. Further it provides a simple basis to make informed decisions regarding greenhouse gas (GHG) emission mitigation options, obligations and reporting requirements. Today this is a template by which local governments’ calculate their carbon footprint and identify approaches to mitigation and offsetting.
The Guide features an overview of the current carbon policy and regulatory context, as well as a detailed approach to carbon mitigation. This encourages councils to pursue a continual process of carbon management, reduction, offsetting, and monitoring and reporting. The Guide also details a series of supporting resources and programs to further assist councils.
The Guide is now utilised by MAV and the Victorian Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) as a framework for councils. Arup is now assisting MAV in delivering training across Victoria to Councillors and council officers on the key points within the Guide.
