Workshops help to accelerate council net zero initiatives
More than half of the state's councils, including 16 metropolitan and 21 regional, have participated in the program, showing a statewide commitment to reducing emissions and embedding climate-conscious practices into local government operations.
The latest phase of the program has featured a series of four targeted workshops, designed and delivered by dsquared consulting, to give council staff practical knowledge, real-world case studies and interactive sessions to support meaningful change.
Key themes
The Net Zero Accelerate workshops focused on the following key areas:
- Greenhouse gas emissions: Understanding different types of emissions, how to collect data, and calculate carbon footprints
- Tackling emissions: Strategies to reduce emissions from direct sources and energy use
- Building greener: Helping councils incorporate eco-friendly methods and technologies in construction projects, focusing on both day-to-day operations and the materials use
- Pathway to Net Zero: Understanding how to set achievable targets to reduce emissions, following best practices and exploring available grant funding opportunities.
The final session, recently delivered both in-person at Local Government House and online for regional staff, focused on embedding net zero goals into council strategies, plans and reporting, an essential step for long-term impact and governance alignment.
Next steps
The workshop series built on the Net Zero Accelerate Program’s first phase, which delivered emission profiles for 15 councils. This phase of the program developed:
These tools are now helping councils move from understanding their emissions to developing ways to take measurable action.
Moving forward, a series of guide notes, focused on the core concepts discussed at the workshops, will be developed and made available via LGA's Climate Change Resource Hub.
LGA will soon be engaging a Climate Change Support Advisor for a two-year period as a part of a pilot program funded by the Local Government Research and Development Scheme.
This new position will provide direct support to councils on a range of climate change work, including net zero.
About the program
The Net Zero Accelerate Program is being led by LGA South Australia, with support from the Department for Environment and Water, and delivered through the LGA’s Climate Partnerships Program.
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.
Find out more
To learn more about the Net Zero Accelerate Program, contact: climatepartnerships@lga.sa.gov.au