January to June 2018 A detailed bi-annual overview of the City of Sydney’s progress against our environmental sustainability targets for both the Local Government Area (LGA) and the City’s own operations. Green Environmental Sustainability Progress Report January to June 2018 A detailed bi-annual overview of the City of Sydney’s progress against our environmental sustainability targets for both the Local Government Area (LGA) and the City’s own operations. 1. Our environmental targets 3 2. Sustainability at the City of Sydney 5 3. Low-carbon city 10 4. Water sensitive city 20 5. Climate resilient city 31 6. Zero waste city 34 7. Active and connected city 38 8. Green and cool city 44 9. Delivering to the community 50 10. Glossary 55 11. Appendix 1: Data management plan 57 12. Appendix 2: Environment Policy 61 1 Green Environmental Sustainability Progress Report January to June 2018 Message from the CEO We continue to lead by example In March 2017 the Lord Mayor and Council strengthened the commitment to ensuring the City of Sydney is an towards a vision of a GREEN, inspiring environmental leader by endorsing the Environmental Action 2016 – 2021 Strategy and Action GLOBAL and CONNECTED city. Plan (the Strategy). To drive change in our own The Strategy commits to specific environmental targets and strong actions on energy, water, climate adaptation, operations and to work waste, transport and greening over the next five years and proactively with businesses, the reaffirms Sustainable Sydney 2030. In the most recent period, January to June 2018 our local community and all levels of activity with business, community and government, continues to achieve major successes as we address the government across the local climate change risks faced by our city. government area, we are driven We partnered with Ausgrid to accelerate the uptake of renewable energy over the next four years, by by ambitious targets in six key encouraging the installation of more solar panels on residential and commercial buildings. We also partnered environmental focus areas. with Our Energy Future to help residents reduce electricity bills and their environmental footprint. We gave away trees too, and helped motivated community members get Since 2008, SUSTAINABLE SYDNEY 2030 has to know their local ecologies. articulated the collective vision of residents and visitors, We also hosted the Water Sensitive Sydney Summit. It workers and businesses. The City then committed to was a powerful demonstration of the value of connecting ambitious targets and strong actions across six key across boundaries to advocate for water management environmental focus areas, set out in the solutions. We face challenges across metropolitan ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION 2016-2021 STRATEGY Sydney as a result of growing population, aging AND ACTION PLAN. infrastructure and a warming climate. In our own operations we released a carbon budget for the We lead by example to drive change in our own operations first time. We will account for emissions across the and by working proactively with businesses, the local organisation in the same way we do our finances. community and all levels of government across the local Tackling climate change requires a multipronged government area. approach. We’re doing everything we can to show In 2018, the City of Sydney is continuing to secure leadership and achieve our commitments to reducing Sydney’s future prosperity and liveability as it continues emissions. This Green Report is a wealth of information towards a vision that is GREEN, GLOBAL and about our programs, initiatives and achievements and I CONNECTED. encourage everyone to read and distribute it widely to share ideas and inspire environmental leadership everywhere. Monica Barone Chief Executive Officer 2 Green Environmental Sustainability Progress Report January to June 2018 1. Our environmental targets Sustainable Sydney 2030 outlines the aspiration of our community and businesses for our local government area to be an environmental leader on a global scale. The following are environmental targets outlined in the Environmental Action 2016 - 2021 Strategy and Action Plan. City of Sydney Operations Low-carbon city Active and connected city – 44 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas – Zero increase in fleet emissions from emissions by end June 2021 based on 2014 baseline by end June 2021 2006 levels Green and cool city – 70 per cent reduction in emissions by 2030 based on 2006 levels – The average total canopy cover is increased by 50 per cent by 2030 (from – 50 per cent of electricity from renewable 15 to 23 per cent), and increased by 75 sources by end June 2021 per cent by 2050 (to 27 per cent), from a 2008 baseline Water sensitive city – Plant 700 new street trees each year until 2 – Annual potable water use of 180 L/m of 2021 irrigated open space by end June 2021 – Plant 50,000 new trees and shrubs in City – Zero increase in potable water use by end parks and street gardens each year until June 2021 from 2006 baseline, achieved 2021 through water efficiency and recycled water – Tree species diversity will not consist of – Zero increase in potable water use by 2030 more than 40 per cent for any particular from 2006 baseline, achieved through plant family, 30 per cent for any genus or water efficiency and recycled water 10 per cent for any one species by 2021 Zero waste city – Habitat sites in the city are protected and the area of bush restoration sites is – 70 per cent resource recovery of waste increased by 100 per cent by 2023 from a from City-managed properties by end June 2012 baseline of 4.2 hectares 2021 – Indigenous fauna species diversity, – 80 per cent resource recovery of abundance and distribution is maintained construction and demolition waste or increased by 2023 based on a 2012 generated and managed by City operations baseline by end June 2021 – A progressive increase in the number of – 50 per cent resource recovery of waste habitat features for priority fauna species from City parks, streets and public places is established along potential habitat by end June 2021 linkages by 2023 3 Green Environmental Sustainability Progress Report January to June 2018 Local Government Area Zero waste city Since the targets for Sustainable Sydney 2030 were set, the City of Sydney local government area (LGA) has – 70 per cent recycling and recovery of undergone significant growth and is expected to continue residential waste from the local government to grow. area by end June 2021 – 70 per cent recycling and recovery of Regardless of future growth, the 2030 targets set by the commercial and industrial waste from the City of Sydney are absolute. local government area by end June 2021 – 80 per cent recycling and recovery of construction and demolition waste from the Low-carbon city city by end June 2021 – 70 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas Active and connected city emissions by 2030 based on 2006 levels – 33 per cent of trips to work during the AM – Net zero emissions by 2050 peak undertaken by walking by 2030, by city residents – 50 per cent of electricity demand met by – 10 per cent of total trips made in the city renewable sources by 2030 are undertaken by bicycle by 2030 Water sensitive city – 80 per cent of trips to work during the AM – Zero increase in potable water use by 2030 peak are undertaken by public transport by from 2006 baseline, achieved through water 2030, by city residents and those travelling efficiency and recycled water to Central Sydney from elsewhere – 50 per cent reduction in the annual solid – 30 per cent of city residents who drive (with pollution load discharged to waterways via an unrestricted drivers licence) are stormwater by 2030 members of a car sharing scheme by 2030 – 15 per cent reduction in annual nutrient load Green and cool city discharged to waterways via stormwater by 2030 – The average total canopy cover is increased by 50 per cent by 2030 (from 15 to 23 per cent), and increased by 75 per cent by 2050 (to 27 per cent), from a 2008 baseline 4 Green Environmental Sustainability Progress Report January to June 2018 2. Highlights Local Government Area -------Low Carbon City ---------Water Sensitive City decrease in LGA annual increase in LGA annual Greenhouse gas emissions potable water use 20% as at June 2017, based on 2006 levels - 12% as at June 2017, based on 2006 levels Active and Connected City --- members of a car share guided rides promoted 30,259 organisation by Jun 2018 riding In Sydney In 380 June 2018 of licensed drivers are 28% members of car share organisations Zero Waste City less total waste change In residential waste generated per diverted from kerbside recycling 21kg resident per year since 2015 2% as at June 2018, based on 201 6/17 levels as at June 2018 based on 2015 levels City of Sydney Operations Low Carbon City Water Sensitive City decrease in City of Sydney Increase In City of Sydney operational greenhouse operational potable water 25% gas emissions as at June 2018, based on 2006 levels as at June 201 7, based on 2006 levels Solar Power Fleet Emissions solar PV panels Installed decrease In combined =4,261 to date across 38 sites fleet emission from 2014 11% baseline of 2,350 tCO2-e ,,,,/ Carbon Neutral Green and Cool City years being a carbon neutral council new shrubs and co under NCOS grasses planted In 7 68 204 City parks and streets In 2017/18 Zero Waste City less waste produced increased recycling of by City Properties waste from city streets 138 tonnes and parks as at June 2018, based on 20111/17 levels 8% as at June 2018, based on 2016/17 levels 5 Sydney2030/Green Global Connected Green Environmental Sustainability Progress Report January to June 2018 Delivering to the community Commercial office space GHG emissions reduction in Sydney CBD in (from FY06) partnership reduction in potable water 5 buildings carbon neutral - 36% use (from FY06) (FY2017 program performance) SUSTAINABLE DESTINATION PARTNERSHIP Program launched in June 2018 with hotel rooms in Sydney 40 members from the entertainment involved in program and accommodation sector ClTY SWITCH commercial office space Members reduced carbon in Sydney CBD committed footprint by 30 tonnes GHG 24% to program 30 emissions in last year.