Local governments play a key role in incorporating climate solutions into local decision-making and responding to climate change, natural disasters and improving infrastructure resilience and reducing carbon emissions.

The Local Government Net Zero Accelerate Program is being led by the Local Government Association and Department for Environment and Water to help councils meet the state’s emission reduction goals.

The first of its kind delivered in South Australia, the program will support councils access greater support to help them:

• identify and report on emissions profiles
• take action on areas for emissions reduction
• establish a council emissions reduction strategy.

Program benefits

Councils taking part in the program will receive tailored advice and support to help lift their capability and capacity to better respond and accelerate their emission reduction efforts.

Support will differ for each council, but may include expert advice about:

• net-zero essentials
• how to build a greenhouse gas profile
• emission reduction opportunities
• evaluation areas
• setting targets and building an emission reduction pathway
• principles in developing a net-zero strategy

The program will produce a standard guideline for local government in undertaking carbon accountant practices, with specific reference to organisational and operational boundaries and the accounting of scope three emissions.

Who is eligible?

In July 2023, South Australian councils were invited to submit an expression of interest to participate in the Local Government Net Zero Accelerate program.

Successful councils will be invited to participate in the inaugural program, with the results producing a standard guideline for local government.

Read more

Media release – South Australian councils invited to accelerate through a new net zero program