December 25th, 2022Macedon tackles carbon footprint, urges others to follow suit.

A plan will see Macedon Ranges Shire Council reduce its carbon footprint with a series of initiatives across council-managed facilities and operations.

The plan, Counting Down to Zero, targets zero net emissions by June 30, 2030, outlining more than 30 recommended actions for council to reduce, avoid or offset its existing emissions while also influencing key stakeholders to do the same.

At a meeting earlier this month the council adopted its Counting Down to Zero policy, which outlines more than 30 recommended actions for council to reduce, avoid or offset its existing emissions, and to influence others to do the same.

Macedon Ranges mayor Annette Death said climate change was not something council could react to, and it needed to take steps to cut emissions now.

“This is a clear plan for the next decade that steps out a number of realistic, meaningful actions council can take, to build on the progress we’ve already made in this area,” she said.

Council said the target would be measured against the indicative baseline of 3260.6 tonnes CO2-e at June 30, 2022 – a figure already reduced over the past year largely due to a renewable energy contract secured through the Victorian Energy Collaboration (VECO).

“VECO, an agreement involving close to 50 councils across Victoria procuring electricity from renewable energy generators, has resulted in a collective saving of around 172,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions in its first year – equivalent to taking 66,000 cars off the road each year,” council said.