Climate Change Action Plan 2011-2020 For Further Information Visit www.darwin.nt.gov.au Contact The Manager, Climate Change & Environment 08 8930 0530 © Darwin City Council 2011
Acknowledgements Council acknowledges the assistance and advice provided by their Climate Change and Environment Advisory Committee and wishes to thank all staff and community members who have contributed in any way to the development of the Climate Change Action Plan 2011–2020. Council also thanks the staff at the Bureau of Meteorology, Darwin, for their contribution and acknowledges the advice and references from the relevant Australian and Territory government departments and organisations.
Disclaimer The information in this document has been gathered from the most current data available at the time of writing. All figures and diagrams have been sourced from various government and climate change research organisations documents, especially from those listed under References at the back of this document and through their websites. The Climate Change Action Plan 2011–2020 should be read in the setting of being ‘a living document’. As such the Plan will be reviewed every three years and appropriated amendments made. Further, anticipated additional contemporary information which will be released over the forthcoming years by governments and research organisations will be considered alongside the current information provided throughout the term of the Climate Change Action Plan 2011–2020.
Table of Contents
Introduction 4
Foreword 4
Executive Summary 5
Section 1 – Climate Change Policy Structures 8
1.1 Global Architecture – The Convention and the Kyoto Protocol 9
1.2 Australian Government’s Response to Climate Change 10
1.3 Northern Territory Government Response to Climate Change 11
1.4 Local Government Response to Climate Change 11
Section 2 – Climate Change Overview 12
2.1 What is Climate Change? 13
2.2 What are Greenhouse Gases? 14
2.3 Australia’s Historical Climate Changes 16
2.4 Australia’s Emissions 16
2.5 Northern Territory’s Emissions 17
2.6 Darwin City Council’s Emissions 18
2.7 Rainfall and Sea Level Impacts 19
2.8 Severe Weather Events 21
2.9 Temperature Increases 22
2.10 Coastal Erosion 23
2.11 Biodiversity 24
2.12 Climate Change and its effects on Darwin 25
2.13 Summary of Climate Change effects 25
2 Climate Change Action Plan 2011-2020 City of Darwin Section 1 Section 2 Section 3 Section 6 Section 4 Section 5 Introduction Climate Change Climate Change Climate Change Action Abbreviations, Glossary Corporate Actions Community Actions Policy Structures Overview Plan 2011-2020 and References 3 43 44 46 37 38 38 38 39 40 27 27 27 29 30 31 31 32 32 34 36 42 26 28 Climate Change Action Plan 2011-2020 Change Action Plan 2011-2020 Darwin Climate City of 6.2 Glossary 6.3 References 6.1 Abbreviations Section 6 – Abbreviations, Glossary and References Glossary Section 6 – Abbreviations, 5.1 Climate Change 5.1 Climate 5.2 Water 5.3 Land 5.4 Biodiversity and Waste 5.5 Recycling 5.6 Energy Section 5 – Community Actions Section 5 – Community Section 4 – Corporate Actions Section 4 – Corporate Change 4.1 Climate Section 3 – Climate Change Action Plan 2011-2020 Change Section 3 – Climate 3.1 Implementation 3.2 Benefits 3.3 Commitment 4.2 Water 4.3 Land 4.4 Air Quality 4.5 Biodiversity and Waste 4.6 Recycling 4.7 Energy Foreword
Darwin is a thriving tropical city with a population it can control. The challenge for the Council is to of 77,290 and bordered on three sides by a harbour balance the sometimes competing interests and three times the size of Sydney Harbour. The City needs of the community with the available resources encompasses a total land area of about 112 square and capacity to deliver on those interest and needs. kilometres, including many types of parkland Climate change is occurring and is relevant to a wide and reserves, and several beaches. The original range of local government functions, thus become a inhabitants of the Darwin area were the Larrakia high profile issue for Darwin City Council. (Larrakeyah) Aboriginal people. Darwin City Council is one of four Darwin coastal managers, the others Council is taking leadership by addressing mitigation being the Australian Government (Department of and adaptation focusing on infrastructure and Defence), the Northern Territory Government general business, by embarking on organisational and the Larrakia Nation. and community behaviour change, by working in partnership with the Australian and Northern As the Northern Territory’s capital city, Darwin Territory Governments, environmental organisations, is a vibrant destination renowned for its tropical scientific and tertiary institutions, indigenous climate as well as being Australia’s gateway and community interests, by sharing knowledge to world class nature and cultural experiences. and advice, and embarking on joint projects with A city of shady parks and gardens, with a range partners including the Larrakia people. of restaurants, new apartments and tourist venues including the Wharf Precinct, Cullen Bay and the This Action Plan provides a framework for Darwin Convention Centre at the waterfront, Darwin Darwin City Council to implement a suite of actions is an increasingly popular place to live and visit. over the next 10 years to reduce greenhouse gas East Point Reserve, just a few minutes drive from emissions and tackle the issue of climate change for the city centre, is a favourite spot for sunset picnics Council’s operations and to support community goals. and home to a colony of Agile wallabies. Darwin
has excellent walking and bicycle paths along the foreshore and through the parks and suburbs. Although Council is limited in its powers and ability to control town planning or urban development, the Council actively advocates on behalf of the GRAEME SAWYER community and focuses its attention on matters LORD MAYOR
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meeting the challenge by taking into consideration consideration taking into the challengemeeting by energy and cost-effective infrastructure of a range to our contribution reduce to initiatives savings gas emissions. global greenhouse taking do this and by to placed well is Council print,foot its carbon Council reduce to steps positive community the and influence lead is in a position to through gas emissions their greenhouse reduce to activities. its own it conducts the way towards and responsibility By taking leadership a global problem to its local contribution reducing an creating will to be on the path Council City. and workplace inspirational address action to delaying that recognises Council and the environmental change will increase climate Strong as the costs. well as consequences societal is needed. all at levels leadership the challenge. meeting to is committed Council We owe this to future generations. future this to owe We the 2010 on 28 September Meeting the Council At The Climate adopted. was Change Policy Climate underpins this policy. Plan 2011-2020 Change Action i. Policy Summary i. Policy and finding practical to is committed Council concerns change climate address to ways effective within the municipality. change risks This will include managing climate and the built and human systems natural to using a within the municipality environment and adaptation sustainable of combination measures. mitigations the climate of its objectives that will ensure Council strategic into incorporated change policy are and planning and decision making processes Council. of operations Climate Change Action Plan 2011-2020 Change Action Plan 2011-2020 Darwin Climate City of Evolving its Evolving through (Council) Darwin City Council 2020 and Towards Directions: Darwin Strategic enhancing Darwin’s a vision of , provides Beyond focus with a strong feel and tropical unique lifestyle residents for and sustainability, on the environment alike. and visitors seeing human induced jurisdictions are Increasingly, and significant the most change as one of climate facing issues global environmental controversial and global communities. local, regional local of a wide range to change is relevant Climate a high and has become functions, government Council. for issue profile the importance and respects acknowledges Council change and environmental climate addressing of for only beneficial is not that in a way priorities but also for and community the organisation adjoining managed by Local the land and water and Northern Territory Australian the Governments, also Council people. the Larrakia and Governments, response a strong provide to responsibility accepts and national can meet Australia that locally in order obligations. environmental international for a major investment represents Infrastructure it is that ensure to and so it is important Council the accommodate to and constructed designed The additional change. climate of effects predicted and buildings infrastructure making new of expense not but to is costly, change climate to resilient more Coastal so. more be even to do so has the potential to urban flooding and subsequent surges storm and failure along with the degradation facilities, climate likely of recognition requires materials of adaptation its impacts and the appropriate change, now. occur which need to measures new change is a relatively climate to Adaptation to Council of It is important policy challenge. the future for development sustainable encourage is Council Darwin. planning of and strategic growth Executive Summary Executive Preparing Australian communities for the unavoidable impacts of climate change is a national priority of local government.
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v. Implementation and delegation Implementation v. of a whole will lead Officer Executive The Chief change which will climate to approach Council all areas from participation include management Council. of review and vi. Evaluation mitigation of the progress of On-going evaluation will be outcomes strategic and adaptation Change and Environment the Climate by undertaken Council. section of Advisory Change and Environment The Climate Council to advice provide to will continue Committee example, and impacts (for change risks on climate rises, carbon footprint, temperature rise, level sea as further cyclones) severe of a higher frequency available. becomes information research iv. Policy Statement Policy iv. the challenges of meeting that recognises Council between a partnership change requires climate whole. a as community the and government,business of a range delivering to committed is Council meet to measures and adaptation mitigation change for climate impacts of the adverse and for the community for the organisation, sustainability. environment on and demonstration leadership will provide Council reduce to can be undertaken actions that of to can work Council gas emissions. greenhouse abate action to advocate and awareness increase warming. global of impacts the to adapt and emissions the importance and respects acknowledges Council change and environmental climate addressing of is that way in a influence of within its sphere priorities community, the Darwin to the organisation, beneficial and Australia. the region of the biodiversity priorities change climate will incorporate Council design, infrastructure in decisions about land use, of and management location fuel usage, and power management. water and and reserves parks climate to this approach that recognises Council to the to adapt and able change should be flexible environment. changing political and legislative Climate Change Action Plan 2011-2020 Change Action Plan 2011-2020 Darwin Climate City of
however the however i To comply with applicable legal requirements with applicable legal requirements comply To severe cyclones) as further research information information research as further cyclones) severe available. becomes and Australian relevant any and implement guidelines policies, Government Northern Territory and/or directives. To review climate change risks and impacts and change risks climate review To carbon footprint, rise, level sea example, (for of a higher frequency rises, temperature To provide Council and the public with objective Council provide To in understanding will that assist information opportunities alternatives, the problem, and/or solutions. To develop and implement strategies designed strategies implement and develop To and natural to change risks manage climate to and the built environment human systems of using a combination within the municipality measures. and mitigation adaptation sustainable to the region to respond to climate change climate to respond to the region to region. and build a sustainable To provide effective and strong leadership leadership and strong effective provide To • • • iii. Background the for communities Australian Preparing change is climate impacts of unavoidable local government. priority of a national naturally occurs variability Climate • • ii. Policy Objectives ii. Policy overwhelming weight of contemporary science science contemporary of weight overwhelming (human induced) anthropogenic that indicates rate an increasing at change is accelerating climate hottest being the of 2000-2010 decade with the first on record. result to expected are variations climate Increased economic, social and environmental in adverse addressed. otherwise unless outcomes be directly to likely activities government Local and level change such as sea climate by impacted include planning surges and storm table rises water infrastructure. and road developments future for resources, will on natural also be impacts There and community and building regulations health and services. infrastructure climate of on the issue has been active Council for 2004 when it joined the Cities change since Program. (CCP™) Protection Climate the provides Change Policy Climate Council’s and roles Council’s promote opportunity to the impacts of to adaptation for responsibilities mitigation for priorities change and identify climate tiers of the three action across collaborative through community. and the whole of governments Section 1 – Climate Change Policy Structures
Actions to address climate change are being undertaken at global, international, regional and local levels. With the purpose of proving a prospective on the role that Darwin City Council (Council) can play in contributing to climate change management a snapshot of the major evolving structures and policies for climate change is considered useful.
After reviewing a wealth of information, the following international, national and Northern Territory significant events have been taken into account in the development of Council’s Climate Change Action Plan 2011-2020.
8 Climate Change Action Plan 2011-2020 City of Darwin Section 1 Section 2 Section 3 Section 6 Section 4 Section 5 Introduction Climate Change Climate Change Climate Change Action Abbreviations, Glossary Corporate Actions Community Actions Policy Structures Overview Plan 2011-2020 and References 9 countries, called Conference of Parties (COPs), who (COPs), Parties of called Conference countries, meeting the example For Treaties. the ratified have was 2009 in December in Copenhagen countries of who have countries of 15th meeting the 15, COP UNFCCC. the ratified on focussed have COPs recent from Outcomes Outcome policy. climate high road progressing Bali, 13 (held in in December Indonesia COP of on a comprehensive agreement 2007) saw long term vision for a shared implement to process developed by 2012, and after up to cooperation, and an agreed reach to countries and developing 15 scheduled COP (binding) decision at adopted Denmark, Copenhagen, for 2009. in December consistent be constructed to vision was The shared but differentiated ‘common with principle of and capabilities, and respective responsibilities conditions’. economic social and account taking into the non-binding 15 was COP of The outcome deep that ‘agreed The Accord Accord. Copenhagen to according required are in global emissions cuts in Intergovernmental and as documented science 4th Assessment Change (IPCC) Climate on Panel so global emissions reducing to with a view Report below in global temperature hold the increase as to developed with the Accord, C’. Consistent 2 degrees 1 countries) as Annex to (referred countries economy quantified implementing to committed 2020. for targets wide emission 16 held in (COP COP recent the most of The outcome the affirm to 2010) was December Mexico, Cancun, to and agreement Accord, the Copenhagen of intent Carbon 2020) ‘Green (US $100B by a large establish Centre Technology Climate as the new as well Fund’, and Network. global implement to and programs Processes a works are manage GHG emissions to structures Durban, South 17 is scheduled for COP in progress. visit information more 2011 (for in December Africa http://unfccc.int/2860.php). Climate Change Action Plan 2011-2020 Change Action Plan 2011-2020 Darwin Climate City of
Global Architecture – The Global Architecture Protocol the Kyoto and Convention at the global level is the United Nations Framework Framework Nations is the United the global level at an Change (UNFCCC), on Climate Convention in 1992. The formulated treaty international manage atmospheric is to UNFCCC prime goal of will that a level at gas concentrations greenhouse with the human interference dangerous ‘prevent to (referred 195 countries Currently system’. climate UNFCCC. ratified have as parties) UNFCCC. the added to was Protocol In 1997 the Kyoto countries principle that embeds the The Protocol responsibilities’. but differentiated ‘common have countries, developed recognises The Protocol traditionally have countries, developing to compared emissions anthropogenic of been the major source atmosphere. to gas (GHG) emissions greenhouse of is that Protocol the Kyoto of The major feature industrialised 37 for legallyit sets binding targets reducing for community the European and countries of an average to amount These GHG emissions. The driver for management of climate change climate of management for The driver 1.1 period the five-year over 1990 levels 5% against the 1990 level. is Protocol the Kyoto of component A key based use ‘market able to are countries that actions in mitigation mechanisms’ covering their meet to countries and developing developed Currently commitments. reduction emission but with notable including Australia 193 countries, Protocol. Kyoto USA, the of ratified have exception the Protocol The major between distinction while the Convention is that and the Convention GHG stabilize to countries industrialised encouraged do so. them to commits the Protocol emissions, and implementing developing, of The work and the on the UNFCCC the progress monitoring of annual meetings by is directed Protocol Kyoto 2008-2012. Australia’s target under the Kyoto under the Kyoto target Australia’s 2008-2012. 8% above to limit GHG emissions is to Protocol 1.2 Australian Government Response technology, land and the energy sector, were to Climate Change developed and released in the lead up of the 2010 update of The Garnaut Climate Change Review. Australia’s climate change policy is evolving, The updated Garnaut Climate Change Review was consistent with processes detailed in UNFCCC and then presented to the Australian Government on the Kyoto Protocol supplemented further by other 31 May 2011 (for more information visit initiatives such as the Carbon Farming Initiative. http://www.garnautreview.org.au). Australia’s evolving policy for climate change will The Australian Government released Australia’s in all likelihood settle on a mixture of regulatory Emissions Projections, 2010 in February 2011 and requirements and incentive programs to offset has reiterated its intention to introduce a carbon carbon emissions. For the regulatory component price in Australia to reduce emission and meet the current Australian Government policy calls for 2020 target it made to the Kyoto Protocol target of the interim carbon price on GHG emissions from limiting emissions. nominated industries transferring into a cap and trade system to manage mandated GHG emission Australia releases official projections of its target. The Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme GHG emissions annually. The previous projections developed by the Australian Government in were released as part of Australia’s Fifth 2009 continues to provide frameworks for National Communication on Climate Change, GHG management. a report under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (referred to as The Australian Government commissioned the 2009 projections). Professor Ross Garnaut AO to examine the impacts of climate change on the Australian economy, This document is considered to be the Australian resulting in the The Garnaut Climate Change Review Government’s most contemporary key document which recommended medium to long-term policies in relation to Australia’s response to the Kyoto and frameworks to improve the prospects for protocol target and for the Australian economy sustainable prosperity. and communities. A series of papers addressing developments across a range of subjects including climate change science and impacts, emissions trends, carbon pricing,
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Manage and improve the pathway and the pathway Manage and improve safe and encourage network cycleway and walking. cycling a climate implement and Develop reducing for change policy and strategies emissions. carbon of a water implement and Develop plan. efficiency contemporary and develop provide for, Lobby practices. management waste systems ecological quality, water Enhance in Council. and biodiversity Provide a clean and liveable municipality. and liveable a clean Provide Local Government Association of the of Association Government Local (LGANT) Northern Territory community level. community program. awareness a community Initiate climate action plan for an Develop change adaptation. Undertake a risk assessment at the at a risk assessment Undertake Local service delivery needs to be improved be improved needs to delivery service Local and the with governments in partnership sector. private 2. 3. 2.2.3 4.1.1 4.2.1 4.3.1 4.4.2 follows Plan 2011-2020 Change Action The Climate Plan Management the Environmental on from environmental of a range 2005-06 which addressed and Community. Council for priorities is to Plan 2011-2020 Change Action The Climate years ten the next for activities Council inform activities. and community corporate regarding Change and Environment has a Climate Council external of which consists Advisory Committee Council to input and advice who provide experts basis. on a ‘needs be’ Climate $50,000 a new of The development Grant Community Change and Environment 2011 has further strengthened for Program the community’s reducing to commitment Council’s footprint. environmental 1.4.2 undertake to with councils working has been LGANT their for change risk assessments climate three with the following municipality or shire aims: project 1. 1.4.3 Darwin City Council and diverse Darwin – A dynamic, different Evolving to Council for direction strategic city provides goals and of a series It outlines 2020 and beyond. including: outcomes associated 2.1.4 • Climate Change Action Plan 2011-2020 Change Action Plan 2011-2020 Darwin Climate City of
Australian Local Government Association Government Local Australian (ALGA) Local Government Response Response Government Local to Climate Change Climate to Northern Territory Government Government Territory Northern Change Climate to Response Living with change. Promoting green communities. green Promoting Developing a green workforce. a green Developing Expanding green business and industry. business green Expanding in role has an important government Local assist to and education leadership providing and accept understand to businesses and citizens change. climate address to their responsibilities Rethinking waste. Rethinking will need to local government the local level, At least the very and at change climate for prepare and assets its own protect the capacity to develop localised conditions. to adapt Building green cities and towns. cities Building green Land management. A focus on green energy. on green A focus Government leadership on climate change. on climate leadership Government Further, under the Northern Territory Government Government under the Northern Territory Further, risk from at wetlands coastal actions, headline specific be given to noted are levels, rising sea intrusion, salt water reduce aimed to interventions fishing and biodiversity. protect Government, the Northern Territory by Developed Plan 2009 is a road 2030 - Strategic Territory guide to priorities setting the future map for decades. two the next over efforts Government’s priorities: six key to linked 128 targets It contains health sustainability, economic society, education, and wellbeing, the environment, and knowledge, and innovation. creativity 9. 8. 7. 6. • 5. 1.4 1.4.1 Position Change ALGA the Climate adopted The ALGA which discusses Document and Discussion Paper climate in addressing place local government’s action and for areas as identifying change as well following: the identifies ALGA steps. next • 4. 3. 2. This document has nine key elements which provide which provide elements has nine key This document action including: collaborative for the focus 1. Northern Territory Climate Action Policy (2009) Policy Action Climate Northern Territory 60% carbon emissions goal of has an aspirational 2007 emissions. to compared 2050, by reduction 1.3 Section 2 – Climate Change Overview
‘Climate Change’ is the changing of long-term weather patterns. Whilst Darwin will still have alternating Wet and Dry seasons, it is possible that the Wet will have more rain, and the Dry will become hotter.
The climate has often changed in the past. In fact, we are living today in a period of time when the Earth’s climate alternates between cool and warm, when sheets of ice kilometres-high push across the continents over thousands of years, and then recede.
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Figure 2.1 shows what the world may have looked have may world the what 2.1 shows Figure when maximum, glacial the last of the peak at like had expanded the North Pole cap surrounding the ice and North America. Europe much of cover to of about the causes theories many are There When considering change. climate historical relevant most the change, climate current in GHG. The theory is that of is that contributor global in the average the past, increase a slight a to trigger lead particular any from temperature lead GHG, which of in the emission increase slight and a further in temperature a further increase to is unique about current What in emissions. increase human civilisation is acting change is that climate amounts change trigger’as a ‘climate vast producing centuries. in only a few GHG of 2.1.2 Adaptation the changes addresses change adaptation Climate our increases Adaptation occur. to projected already including a changing climate with cope ability to events. weather and extreme variability 2.1.1 Mitigation the on reducing focuses change mitigation Climate This the atmosphere. emit into GHG we of amount climate impacts of future avoid action will help to projected. is already what change beyond
Climate Change Action Plan 2011-2020 Change Action Plan 2011-2020 Darwin Climate City of
ii Figure 2.1: The world at the peak of the last glacial maximum the last at the peak of 2.1: The world Figure Change http://www.ipcc.ch/. on Climate Panel Intergovernmental Source: ‘Climate’ is a statistical description of weather weather of description is a statistical ‘Climate’ including both and their variations, conditions Darwin area. in a given and extremes averages between falling rain with most Dry seasons, days rainless and warm and March, December September. to May from long-term is the changing of Change’ ‘Climate Darwin will Whilst still have patterns. weather it is possible and Dry seasons, Wet alternating and the Dry will rain, more will have the Wet that hotter. become changed in the past. has often In fact,The climate time when the in a period of living today are we and warm, cool between alternates climate Earth’s the push across kilometres-high ice of when sheets then recede. and thousands years, of over continents as a (known the continents covered last sheets Ice ago, years thousand ‘glacial period’) about fifteen do so again. to expected were recently and until today, still remain sheets the ice of Parts and Greenland. as seen in Antarctica The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change on Climate Panel The Intergovernmental change of climate the phenomena defines (IPCC) directly attributed which is climate as ‘a change of the alters human activity that to or indirectly and which the global atmosphere of composition observed variability climate natural is in addition to time periods’. comparable over 2.1 What is Climate Change? Climate is 2.1 What and Wet with pronounced climate has a tropical 2.2 What are Greenhouse Gases? There are several gases which create a greenhouse Earth’s climate. Since industrialisation, humans have effect. The most important include water vapour, burned enough fossil fuels to increase the level of
carbon dioxide, methane and ozone. The major CO2-e to 391 parts per million of carbon dioxide in anthropogenic (human induced) GHG is carbon the atmosphere, a rise above natural levels that the
dioxide (CO2), mostly produced through the burning world has not seen for several million years. of fossil fuels. However, ‘carbon emissions’ is the 2.2.1 What do Greenhouse Gases actually do? colloquial term used to describe all anthropogenic Each GHG has a different global warming, or heat GHG, not just CO2. trapping, potential. The global warming potential of Some gases cause a greater warming effect than each of the major GHG, as well as the key source of others, so for simplicity and ease of comparison, GHG the gases, is shown in Table 2.1. are converted into an equivalent of carbon dioxide Sunlight shines onto the Earth’s surface, where known as CO2-e. For example, methane (CH4) has a warming effect 25 times that of carbon dioxide it is absorbed and then radiates back into the equivalent, so atmosphere as heat. In the atmosphere GHG trap some of this heat and the rest escapes into space, a 1 tonne of CH = 25 tonnes of CO -e1 4 2 process commonly known as the ‘Greenhouse Effect’
Over the past 750,000 years, atmospheric CO2-e (see Figure 2.2). Scientists have calculated that if levels have remained between 180 and 280 parts it were not for these gases, Earth might be 40°C per million.iii The difference of 100 parts per million cooler.iv However, increasing the amount of GHG
of CO2-e correlates with drastic changes to the leads to increased trapping of heat, which is known as ‘Global Warming’.
Table 2.1: Key Sources of Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Greenhouse Gas Source Greenhouse Warming Potential* Carbon dioxide Burning of fossil fuels Land clearing 1.0 Cement manufacture Methane Waste decomposition without air (e.g. when waste is buried in landfill) Coal-bed methane from coal mining 25 Leakage of natural gas Grass digestion by grazing animals Burning of biomass fuels Nitrous oxide Soil, nitrogen fertiliser decomposition 298 Burning of petroleum products Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) Leakage from refrigeration and air-conditioning systems 4750 - 14400 Aluminium smelting
*100-Year Greenhouse warming potential (GWP) (per kilogram of gas) in terms of kg CO2-e. Source: adapted from Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (2007) Working Group I Contribution to the Fourth Assessment Report, Climate change 2007—the physical science basis Chapter 2 Changes in atmospheric constituents and in radiative forcing.
1 Comparing gases in this way refers to the ‘Global warming potential’ of each gas. This depends on both the warming effect of the gas, and
its longevity in the atmosphere. The standard potential is set upon the warming potential over 100 years, with CO2 having the value 1.
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The global climate is very dependant upon dependant is very climate The global Small in temperature changes temperature. can change ocean currents, wind patterns, and the and patterns, wind currents, can change ocean caps. This can fundamentally change the ice of size seen before never patterns to the normal weather humans. by ). The increase in radioactive forcing from anthropogenic sources is about sources anthropogenic from forcing in radioactive ). The increase 2
Climate Change Action Plan 2011-2020 Change Action Plan 2011-2020 Darwin Climate City of 2 v , or 0.46%. 2 1.6 W/m Radiation from the Sun is 343 watts per square metre (W/m metre per square the Sun is 343 watts from Radiation Source: Australian Greenhouse Office http://www.climatechange.gov.au/. http://www.climatechange.gov.au/. Office Greenhouse Australian Source: Figure 2.2: A simplified diagram of the Greenhouse Effect Greenhouse of the diagram 2.2: A simplified Figure 2 Current theory suggests the level of GHG in the GHG in of level the theory suggests Current so balance, is actually a delicate atmosphere when GHG are cold very get the Earth could that added. To are when gases warm and very removed current is, this balance delicate how just understand an GHG trapping by change is being caused climate energy. the Sun’s than 0.5% of less of increase 2.2.2 How does Global Warming change the Climate? change Warming Global does 2.2.2 How 2.3 Australia’s Historical Climate Changes Australia’s climate has changed a great deal over the and the sea level rose until it reached the present last twenty two thousand years, before stabilising level where it has remained steady for about five about five thousand years ago. thousand years. The temperature was about 6°C cooler twenty two All of these changes occurred because of a thousand years ago, so cold that much of the Earth’s temperature rise of 6°C. It is very likely there will be water was frozen into the massive ice sheets that significant warming through the 21st century and covered much of Europe and North America. This beyond. Current science models estimate a further meant that the sea level was about 135 metres 2°C to 7°C rise by 2100. lower than today. Reduction of GHG emissions could significantly Australia and New Guinea were joined by a land reduce long-term warming. In Australia, the average bridge, and the coastline of what became Australia surface temperature has increased by about 0.7°C was several hundred kilometres closer to Timor. As since 1960 with some areas having warmed faster can be seen in Figure 2.3, the Gulf of Carpentaria and some showing relatively little warming. The was an inland lake. warming has caused an Australia-wide average increase in the frequency of extremely hot days and As the temperature began to rise, the vast polar a decrease in the frequency of cold days. ice caps and sheets around the globe melted,
Figure 2.3: Australia and New Guinea joined by a land bridge 22 thousand years ago 15 thousand years ago
10 thousand years ago 5 thousand years ago – present
Source: Coller, M. The Sahul Time Project, Monash University http://sahultime.monash.edu.au/.
2.4 Australia’s Emissions Australia produced about 549 million tonnes of The Northern Territory produces 17 million tonnes of measured GHG in 2009vi, about 25 tonnes per person. GHG per yearvii, about 79 tonnes per person. Whilst This is approximately 2% of total global emissions, or this is approximately 3% of Australia’s total GHG six times the global average per person.3 emissionsviii, it equates to three times the Australian average per person, and nineteen times the global average per person as Figure 2.4 demonstrates.
3 Global emissions are approximately 29,000 Mt of CO2-e per year. The world’s population is estimated to be about 6.8 billion people.
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ACT ACT 1% Tas Tas NT Stationary energy energy Stationary (excluding Agriculture 25% burning) savanna land use Land use, 18% change and forestry 13% Transport Waste 9% emissions Industrial burning Savanna 0% emissions Fugitive 33% 1% SA -e per capita 2 for over a third, and in some years up to a half, a half, up to and in some years a third, over for Without emissions. total Territory’s the of is similar burning, profile savanna our emissions with stationary Australia, parts of other of that to being the electricity generation) (i.e. energy source. largest Presence of some major emissions-intensive some major of emissions-intensive Presence the particularly in the Territory, industries mining sector. burning, savanna which accounts of High rate • • WA Climate Change Action Plan 2011-2020 Change Action Plan 2011-2020 Darwin Climate City of 18% 25% National average tCO average National Vic 13% 1% QLD 9% -e per capita by State and Territory State by -e capita per 33% 2 NSW NSW 0% 1% 0
90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10
2 tCO -e Territory’s climate, which gives rise to a high use rise to which gives climate, Territory’s air-conditioning. of Vast geographical area of the Northern Territory the Northern Territory of area geographical Vast density. population and its low Source: Department of Chief Minister (2009) Northern Territory Climate Change Policy 2009, Darwin. 2009, Change Policy Climate Territory (2009) Northern Minister Chief of Department Source: Figure 2.5: Northern Territory’s greenhouse gas emissions greenhouse 2.5: Northern Territory’s Figure • 2.5 Northern Territory’s Emissions 2.5 Northern Territory’s Government 2009 the Northern Territory In December Change Climate its Northern Territory released (NTG) of the breakdown 2.5 demonstrates . Figure Policy in the Northern Territory. GHG emissions is unique profile emissions The Northern Territory’s the: because of • Figure 2.4: Tonnes of CO of 2.4: Tonnes Figure Source: adapted from Australian Government (2011) Australia’s National Greenhouse Gas Accounts - State and Territory and Territory - State Gas Accounts National Greenhouse (2011) Australia’s Government Australian from adapted Source: statistics. Demographic Australian Statistics of Bureau and Australian 2009, Gas Inventories Greenhouse 2.6 Darwin City Council’s Emissions Council’s emissions are produced in three key sectors: emissions, of which just under half is from street stationary energy (electricity), transport (petrol/ lighting. Figure 2.7 provides a further breakdown diesel) and waste (landfill). Regular Greenhouse Gas of electricity related emissions. Fuels such as petrol Inventories are undertaken externally for Council. and diesel account for about 10% of Council’s Figure 2.6 demonstrates the breakdown of Council’s emissions, the majority from diesel. 35% of Council’s emissions. Electricity creates 55% of Council’s emissions come from waste, such as office paper and garden material. Figure 2.6 Council’s Emissions in 2009 4
Electricity 55% Transport 10% Waste 35%
35% 55%
10%
Source: adapted from RG Consulting (2010) Greenhouse Gas Emission Inventory 2010 Darwin City Council Report no. D-001-10, Darwin.
Figure 2.7 Council’s Electricity emissions breakdown 2009
Park lighting, barbeques 8% and miscellaneous 8% Street lighting 47% Traffic lights 3% 42% Buildings and facilities 42%
47%
3%
Source: adapted from RG Consulting (2010) Greenhouse Gas Emission Inventory 2010 Darwin City Council Report no. D-001-10, Darwin.
4 Note: as landfill emissions have historically been reported as emissions generated by the community, the waste figure has been extrapolated using 2001 percentages.
18 Climate Change Action Plan 2011-2020 City of Darwin Section 1 Section 2 Section 3 Section 6 Section 4 Section 5 Introduction Climate Change Climate Change Climate Change Action Abbreviations, Glossary Corporate Actions Community Actions Policy Structures Overview Plan 2011-2020 and References 19
ix Annual rainfall for Darwin has steadily Darwin has steadily for Annual rainfall x xi of organic waste is captured from the site via a the site from is captured waste organic of interconnecting and wells ground below of network electricity which to pipe work. is converted The gas network, the electricity into and on soldis exported Corporation. and Water Power by megawatt 52,000 over has generated This facility it was since energy renewable hours of of 2005. The combustion in August commissioned this base-load electricity, to generate landfill gas the to equates which is typically50% methane, carbon dioxide of tonnes 40,000 over of abatement year. each gas emissions greenhouse equivalent power enough electricity to produces The facility year. each homes 1,800 approximately increased by 50-60 by increased per decade. millimetres unclear, are decades several the next for Predictions provide use to often are percentiles however activity. future of estimates 2.7 Rainfall and Sea Level Impacts Level and Sea 2.7 Rainfall 2.7.1 Rainfall as a whole has been relatively Australia for Rainfall the geographical 2.8); however (see Figure stable 50 in the last has changed significantly distribution years. Climate Change Action Plan 2011-2020 Change Action Plan 2011-2020 Darwin Climate City of -e 2 -e for 2 -e calculated for the 2007 period. This for -e calculated 2 program calculated that, implementing by calculated program TM per annum by 2010. This figure relates to Council’s Council’s to relates 2010. This figure per annum by only. operations in tropical project energy renewable The first Facility, Energy Darwin Renewable the Australia, is Disposal Site, Waste Shoal Bay the at located and Darwin City Council a partnership between generates The facility Pty Ltd. LMS Generation base-load hours of megawatt 9,000 approximately using gas collected year electricity each renewable the breakdown from Gas generated the site. from Greenhouse Action Plan Action in the Greenhouse identified reductions would emissions corporate Council’s 2001-2010 CO of tonnes about 11,536 be in the vicinity of Source: Bureau of Meteorology http://www.bom.gov.au/. Meteorology of Bureau Source: Figure 2.8: Trend in annual rainfall 1960-2010 in annual rainfall 2.8: Trend Figure Energy audits undertaken by Council for the 2009 for Council by audits undertaken Energy emissions corporate Council’s that period show CO of tonnes 10,881 in the vicinity of were increase can be attributed to new infrastructure infrastructure new to can be attributed increase centre) lighting, and community parks (street on coming Lyons suburb of with the new associated for accommodate to in service line and an increase growth. population with its involvement through Council to provided Data the CCP the period. This is a 5% increase when compared when compared This is a 5% increase the period. CO 10,358 to The 50th percentile is often used as the ‘best 2.7.2 Sea Level estimate’ of the future, which suggests little change The Fourth Assessment Report of the IPCC – 2007 in annual total rainfall. The 10th and 90th percentiles states that sea levels have remained fairly constant are ‘outlier’ scenarios. The greater the difference for the last five thousand years, yet began to rise over between the 10th and 90th percentiles, the higher the last century at an increasing rate as a result of the overall uncertainty in the projections. Figure 2.9 climate change. The rise is caused predominantly by demonstrates rainfall percentile climate prediction thermal expansion (water expands as it warms), and where the ‘High Emissions’ scenario is considered the loss of land-based ice due to increased melting. xiii ‘business as usual’, and aligns well with current GHG emissions globally. xii From a global perspective, Figure 2.10 demonstrates Figure 2.9: Rainfall Climate prediction for 2030 actual and estimated sea level rise from 1800 to 2100. The red section shows the recorded sea level, which became more accurate within the 20th century. The green line represents the introduction of accurate satellite mapping. The blue section represents the upper and lower limits for the sea level which were predicted in the 1990s. xiv The sea has risen about 20 centimetres over the last century, and in 2010, is currently tracking above the highest predictions made twenty years ago. The projected sea level for Darwin is an 80 centimetre increase between 1990 and 2100, at the current rise of 7.2 millimetres per year. xv This projection does not include contributions from ice sheet melting, which could substantially increase the upper limit of sea level rise to several metres. xvi
Source: Climate Change in Australia http://www.climatechangeinaustralia.gov.au/ntrain1.php.
Figure 2.10: Sea Level change projection
Source: Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (2010) Fourth Assessment Report http://www.ipcc.ch/.
20 Climate Change Action Plan 2011-2020 City of Darwin Section 1 Section 2 Section 3 Section 6 Section 4 Section 5 Introduction Climate Change Climate Change Climate Change Action Abbreviations, Glossary Corporate Actions Community Actions Policy Structures Overview Plan 2011-2020 and References
21
Figure 2.12: Storm Surge 2.12: Storm Figure J (2010) Hunter, Source: Darwin City Council. to Presentation xvii
xviii
of deaths associated with cyclones are as a result of as a result are with cyclones associated deaths of surges. storm Figure 2.11: Tropical Cyclone Monica 2006 Monica Cyclone 2.11: Tropical Figure http://www.bom.gov.au/. Meteorology of Bureau Source: an released Government The Northern Territory Surge Storm its Darwin Area of version updated 2011 which identifies 2100 in August Inundation for and interval) recurrence average primary (100 year interval) recurrence average year (1,000 secondary surge. storm Climate Change Action Plan 2011-2020 Change Action Plan 2011-2020 Darwin Climate City of
The combination of more powerful cyclones with cyclones powerful more of The combination storm severe risk of a potential poses rising oceans only a few Darwin is located as much of surges, 2.12 demonstrates, As Figure level. sea above metres a cyclone when the winds of occurs surge a storm the coast. Unusually pile up against to water causes like inshore which sweep then develop, waves large dangerous most are surges Storm bulldozer. a giant the majority Worldwide, high tide. at when occurring 2.8.2 Storm Surges 2.8.2 Storm and heavier rain. Currently Darwin’s building Darwin’s Currently rain. and heavier prepared are systems planning and emergency 2.8.1 Cyclones 2.8.1 Cyclones be more to predicted not are storms Tropical severe more potentially frequent, but instead wind speeds peak 3–5), with larger (Category 2.8 Severe Weather Events Weather 2.8 Severe 4 is (Cyclone 4 cyclone. a Category with deal to 5 for Building/Planning and Category for quoted systems). Emergency continue to likely are cyclones Australian Future the show End and projections in the Top form to further south, thus move them to is for potential half-century. the last over trend the continuing 2.9 Temperature Increases Since 1960 the average temperature in Darwin has Since 1910, the average minimum temperature increased by about 0.5-0.7°C (see Figure 2.13). 2000 recorded at Darwin Airport has increased by to 2010 was Australia’s warmest decade on record. approximately 2.5°C. xix xx
Figure 2.13: Trend Mean Temperature 1960-2010
Source: Bureau of Meteorology http://www.bom.gov.au/.
The average annual number of days with a Figure 2.14: Temperature Prediction for 2030 maximum temperature above 35°C has increased from 7.9 days during the 1941-1970 period, to 13.1 days during the 1981-2010 period, and under the best case scenarios will be 28 days by 2030, and 49 days by 2070. Figure 2.14 outlines temperature predictions for 2030. Temperature is predicted to increase further by between 0.6°C to 1.5°C by 2030. There is a high level of confidence that warming will continue into the future, since all scenarios show warming. The current best estimate (50th Percentile, High Emissions) is for warming of 0.6°C to 1.0°C by 2030. The worst-case scenario suggests possible warming of between 1.0°C and 1.5°C by 2030. xxi Under this scenario there could potentially be 308 days above 35°C annually by the year 2070.
Source: Climate Change in Australia http://www.climatechangeinaustralia.gov.au/nttemp1.php.
22 Climate Change Action Plan 2011-2020 City of Darwin Section 1 Section 2 Section 3 Section 6 Section 4 Section 5 Introduction Climate Change Climate Change Climate Change Action Abbreviations, Glossary Corporate Actions Community Actions Policy Structures Overview Plan 2011-2020 and References 23 xxiv
Higher sea levels will also result in more frequent more in will result also levels Higher sea are such changes Unless level. a given flooding above coastal existing for criteria design account, into taken outdated. become will progressively structures Coastal infrastructure is of particular concern concern particular is of infrastructure Coastal and infrastructure population Australia’s as much of to vulnerability increasing zone, is in the coastal to vulnerable are assets Council change. climate level sea rise and extreme level sea from inundation a critical are threats inundation and Erosion events. and the Northern community the Council, for issue Government. Territory Climate Change Action Plan 2011-2020 Change Action Plan 2011-2020 Darwin Climate City of
However, as the sea as the sea However, xxiii consistent with the estimation that estimation with the consistent xxii level is rising at an increasing rate, there will be an there rate, an increasing at is rising level erosion. of rate increased Source: Jones, G., Baban, S. and Pathirana, S. (2008) Coastal Erosion Issues in the East Point and Nightcliff areas in Darwin.in areas Nightcliff and Point East the in Issues Erosion Coastal (2008) S. Pathirana, and S. Baban, G., Jones, Source: Lismore. University, Southern Cross Figure 2.15: Erosion at Nightcliff 2.15: Erosion Figure Council commissioned a report on coastal erosion erosion on coastal a report commissioned Council Point in the East Issues Erosion Coastal in 2008, visit information more Darwin (for of and Nightcliff http://www.darwin.nt.gov.au/aboutcouncil). under current an ongoing issue is erosion Coastal during increase to and is predicted patterns, weather events. storm intense future an average at eroded in Darwin have lines Coast 2.10 Coastal Erosion 2.10 Coastal three the last over per year 30 centimetres of decades, erodible coasts will recede one metre for every every for metre one will recede coasts erodible level. rise in sea centimetre 2.11 Biodiversity The interaction of climate change with existing Darwin emerged as Australia’s Most Sustainable stresses – such as land clearing, fire, invasive pest City in the Australian Conservation Foundation’s plants and animal species, water quality – all add Sustainable Cities Index in 2010. Biodiversity is further levels of complexity especially in the low considered a core assessment element in liveability lying wetlands throughout the top end including the and sustainability indexes, scoring highly in the area world heritage listed Kakadu National Park which of biodiversity, with Darwin considered to have a is intrinsically linked with Darwin in terms of iconic pristine environment when scored alongside other biodiversity in the region and the tourism links for capital cities. xxviii the Top End Capital City. However, attention to careful on-going protection Kakadu is of very low elevation (0.2 to 1.2 metres of Darwin’s biodiversity is critical, particularly above sea level), and as such is at severe risk of as increased demands for land clearing, new being inundated with sea water (see Figure 2.16). developments and increased infrastructure are 72% of the freshwater habitat is vulnerable to a sought to meet the fast growing City. 30 centimetre sea level rise, which is predicted to The climate change vulnerability of a new or existing occur by the year 2050. This would promote the infrastructure assets relies on a combination of growth of salt-tolerant systems such as mudflats responses to the retention of vegetation when and mangroves at the expense of freshwater addressing structural and physical changes. wetland species. xxv Protection measures and increased plantings are key Climate change poses an increased risk to the contemporary responses which international and remaining natural ecosystems in Darwin. xxvi national local governments are considering in order For example, East Point Reserve will come to enhance biodiversity. under increasing threat from the sea level. xxvii
Figure 2.16: Vulnerable areas of Kakadu National Park to sea level rise
Source: Bayliss, B., Brennan, K., Eliot, I., Finlayson, C.M., Hall, R., House, T., Pidgeon, R., Walden, D. and Waterman, P. (1997) Vulnerability assessment of predicted climate change and sea level rise in the Alligator Rivers Region, Northern Territory Australia. Supervising Scientist Canberra.
24 Climate Change Action Plan 2011-2020 City of Darwin Section 1 Section 2 Section 3 Section 6 Section 4 Section 5 Introduction Climate Change Climate Change Climate Change Action Abbreviations, Glossary Corporate Actions Community Actions Policy Structures Overview Plan 2011-2020 and References 25
5
Summary of Climate Climate Summary of Change effects An extension of the jellyfish season due to higher due the jellyfish of season An extension temperatures. water and algal weeds in riparian and aquatic Increase quality. blooms which will impact on water aquifers water fresh into intrusion Saltwater in some areas. including the potential impacts Health disease. of spread 2000-2050) at 1 trillion at tonnes. 2000-2050) 2.13 to its built challenges significant Darwin faces predictions if the current environment and natural borne out.to are to adapt It will be difficult clearly have studies Economic changes. these adapting of the global cost that demonstrated than the cost more times is many change climate to global economy. a carbon-free to moving of surface predicted 2.17 demonstrates Figure – the pink as a scenarios in two temperatures where a scenario as usual basis versus business (between 50 years capped for are emissions • • • • Climate Change Action Plan 2011-2020 Change Action Plan 2011-2020 Darwin Climate City of
Climate Change and Change Climate on Darwin its effects An increase in displaced people with the potential people with the potential in displaced An increase level Darwin as the sea to move to people for along situated communities and inundates rises areas. lying coastal low Risk of a contaminated water supply. water a contaminated Risk of Continued loss of and risk to biodiversity. and risk to of loss Continued Continued coastal erosion. coastal Continued Increased daily temperature maximums. daily temperature Increased Increased risk of storm surges. storm risk of Increased A greater proportion of severe cyclones. severe of proportion A greater A rising sea level. A rising sea Potential for rainfall, particularly increased increased particularly rainfall, for Potential events. rainfall extreme See The Stern Review on the Economics of Climate Change - www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/sternreview_index.htm, Change - www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/sternreview_index.htm, Climate of on the Economics Review See The Stern - www.garnautreview.org.au or The Garnaut Review Source: Climate Commissioner (2011) The Critical Decade – Climate science, risks and responses, Climate Commission, Canberra. Commission, Climate risks and responses, science, – Climate Decade (2011) The Critical Commissioner Climate Source: Figure 2.17: Median projections and uncertainties of global – mean surface air temperature based on two emissions scenarios. emissions based on two air temperature global – mean surface of and uncertainties 2.17: Median projections Figure Darwin include: • Other possible effects which may impact which may effects Other possible 5 • • • • • • • Darwin has already been affected by climate climate by affected been already Darwin has events. weather extreme more of change as a result climate future for data the available However, The predicted on Darwin is limited. change effects potential remain although they severe, are effects and include: actual risks than rather • 2.12 Section 3 - Climate Change Action Plan 2011-2020
Darwin City Council (Council) is committed to the challenge of reducing its climate change footprint through the development of this Climate Change Action Plan 2011-2020 which aims to develop and strengthen partnerships as well as reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to meet mitigation and adaptation actions.
26 Climate Change Action Plan 2011-2020 City of Darwin Section 1 Section 2 Section 3 Section 6 Section 4 Section 5 Introduction Climate Change Climate Change Climate Change Action Abbreviations, Glossary Corporate Actions Community Actions Policy Structures Overview Plan 2011-2020 and References 27 ). ® The improvement of public health through through public health of The improvement local air quality. improved the will the plan of require The implementation commercial, partnerships with the of development the community. of sectors and industrial residential and relations community improve This can act to community. sense of a greater foster in as a leader will see Council The community taking positive by change climate addressing its emissions. reduce action to Council’s willThe implementation reduce footprint, and in doing so provide environmental the to and adapting mitigating of a means change. climate of effects predicted a role will implementation also play It is expected reduction local air quality, of in the improvement on reducing pressure well landfill as as to in waste reserves. and energy water to the plan and is central use is resource Efficient imperative. environmental a core All actions within the Action Plan have been All actions within the Action Plan have business individual departmental into incorporated completion. plans for against the Action Plan and reporting of Monitoring per month each actions will these occur of each process. reporting performance internal Council’s 3.3 Commitment 3.3.1 Resourcing contained and priorities requirements The budget on an annual basis. in the plan will be assessed savings, realised the use of will investigate Council to be initiatives, efficiency energy the from resulting and actions. fund additional programs to reinvested 3.3.2 Reporting should Plan 2011-2020 Change Action The Climate to attend to Council be seen as an opportunity for its reduce to activities and adaptation mitigation that It should be noted change. impact on climate the Action Plan is seen as a living document. time from modification require The Action Plan may well as and initiatives science new reflect time to to on the will report Council constraints. as budget for initiatives new any and amendments progress, report. its annual the plan through central The Action Plan has been included in Council’s (Interplan system plan and reporting business 3.2.2 Social • • • 3.2.3 Environmental • • • Climate Change Action Plan 2011-2020 Change Action Plan 2011-2020 Darwin Climate City of
Leading by example and assisting the and assisting example by Leading within the plan measures of The implementation economy for the local on benefits flow have may in markets new of the development through and the creation energy renewable such as areas local job opportunities. of Energy efficiency initiatives will reduce the reduce will initiatives efficiency Energy Council’s with associated costs financial usage. energy and information providing by community community can reduce actions that for guidance and therefore consumption and personal energy financial to savings. lead • • • 3.2 Benefits the from result benefits will of list The following Plan Change Action the Climate of implementation . 2011-2020 3.2.1 Economic Darwin City Council is committed to the challenge the to is committed Council Darwin City the through footprint change its climate reducing of Plan Change Action this Climate of development and strengthen develop which aims to 2011-2020 to GHG emissions as reducing partnerships as well actions. and adaptation mitigation meet actions and performance Sections 4 and 5 identify and behaviour infrastructural of A range indicators. will be developed subsequently change initiatives the outcomes ensure to in order and implemented met. are ‘on These indicators and performance a basis provide will also help to initiatives ground’ targets. informing for Change its Climate developed Darwin City Council Council’s from with advice Plan 2011-2020 Action Advisory Change and Environment Climate its earlier consideration taking into Committee, called Change and Environmental document Climate . Plan 2009-2012 Action Plan Plan 2011-2020 Change Action The Climate 3.1 Implementation Change Policy Climate Council’s for context provides General Ordinary the Second endorsed at and was 2011. on 25 October Meeting Council Section 4 – Corporate Actions
Develop strategies for Council to reduce its carbon footprint.
28 Climate Change Action Plan 2011-2020 City of Darwin Section 1 Section 2 Section 3 Section 6 Section 4 Section 5 Introduction Climate Change Climate Change Climate Change Action Abbreviations, Glossary Corporate Actions Community Actions Policy Structures Overview Plan 2011-2020 and References 29 Outcome Outcome Information is shared and is shared Information between disseminated partners. of knowledge General change initiatives climate and external internal across is increased. stakeholders Council adopted strategies strategies adopted Council carbon for and targets reductions. emission land is on Council Erosion reduced. are habitats Native and maintained. conserved biodiversity of High levels maintained. are on vegetation Increased act as urban assets Council carbon sinks. NT planning schemes storm updated incorporate zones. surge level sea Impacts of on surge rise and storm are infrastructure new minimised. planningSustainable areas coastal for outcomes within the municipality are increased. New developments and developments New energy take infrastructure and climate efficiency change impacts into consideration. Infrastructure of the Office Executive Chief Responsibility Office of the Office Executive Chief Infrastructure Office of the Office Executive Chief Office of the Office Executive Chief Time Frame Ongoing Ongoing Ongoing Ongoing 2011/12 2011/12 Climate Change Action Plan 2011-2020 Change Action Plan 2011-2020 Darwin Climate City of Strategic Strategic partnerships developed Number of strategies strategies of Number and targets adopted met. Best appropriate appropriate Best strategy practice developed of Development list suitable species advocacy Number of undertaken activities Number of energy energy Number of clauses efficient into inserted development proposals new Number of and developments with infrastructure resilience greater the impacts of to change climate C5.1 Performance Indicator Performance C1.1 C2.1 C2.2 C3.1 C4.1 C4.2
Action Develop strategic strategic Develop partnerships for change climate initiatives. Develop strategies strategies Develop reduce to Council for its carbon footprint. Develop a best Develop practice appropriate strategy planting erosion address to and habitat control and conservation restoration. of the provision surge sea coastal zones. buffer Advocate for Advocate Provide input into input into Provide development in relation proposals efficiency energy to change and climate impacts. C5 Mitigation C1 C2 Adaptation C3 C4 4.1 Climate Change 4.1 Climate 4.2 Water
Time Action Performance Indicator Responsibility Outcome Frame Mitigation W1.1 Water Efficiency Total potable water used in Develop a Water Action Plan Council’s open space assets Efficiency Action developed is reduced. W1 2011/12 Infrastructure Plan for Council W1.2 Actions to reduce Council has a greater open space assets. water consumption understanding of its water are identified usage. W2.1 Installation of water Continue the saving equipment installation in Council facilities Total water use across W2 of water saving Ongoing Infrastructure Council facilities is reduced. equipment in W2.2 Number and Council facilities. type of projects implemented Monitor and report Potable water usage across W3.1 Annual water usage W3 on Council water 2011/12 Infrastructure Council activities report usage. is reduced. Adaptation Understanding of the W4.1 Participation in the Darwin Harbour and Provide effective development and its natural processes, responses to Darwin implementation of Office of the condition and variability is W4 Harbour Integrated Ongoing a Darwin Harbour Chief Executive increased. Monitoring and Water Quality Research Program. Land-water interface Protection Plan in Darwin Harbour is protected. W5.1 Water Sensitive Incorporate Urban design principles of Water incorporated into Subdivisions and Sensitive Urban guidelines developments incorporate W5 Design in Council 2011/12 Infrastructure water sensitive urban Subdivisions and W5.2 Promotion of Water design. Development Sensitive Urban Guidelines. Design for Darwin subdivisions Incorporate strategies for landscaping, utilising water W6.1 Number of Potable water used in conservation W6 strategies 2015/16 Infrastructure Council’s open space assets principles and implemented is reduced. appropriate plant species in public open spaces and road verges.
30 Climate Change Action Plan 2011-2020 City of Darwin Section 1 Section 2 Section 3 Section 6 Section 4 Section 5 Introduction Climate Change Climate Change Climate Change Action Abbreviations, Glossary Corporate Actions Community Actions Policy Structures Overview Plan 2011-2020 and References 31
Outcome Outcome Native habitats created in created habitats Native increased are urban areas appropriate. where has an increased Council air of understanding quality issues. Air quality is monitored. Council has an increased an increased has Council erosion of understanding of and effects processes rise in Darwin level sea areas. coastal land on Council Erosion is managed. Infrastructure developed developed Infrastructure the to with resilience change. climate impacts of Responsibility Responsibility Infrastructure of the Office Executive Chief Infrastructure Infrastructure Time Time Frame Frame Ongoing 2011/12 2011/12 2011/12 Climate Change Action Plan 2011-2020 Change Action Plan 2011-2020 Darwin Climate City of Number of activities lobbying undertaken. Strategy developed developed Strategy Strategy implemented Development of Development Erosion a Coastal Management plan the municipality for Implementation Erosion Coastal of Management Plan New infrastructure infrastructure New and development constructed projects taking into the consideration sea of effects future storm rise and level zones surge Performance Indicator Performance A1.1 Performance Indicator Performance L1.1 L1.2 L2.1 L2.2 L3.1
Action Action Lobby for Lobby scientific external to approaches and improve air quality. monitor urban forest. Develop a strategy a strategy Develop and maintain to the enhance and Develop aimplement Erosion Coastal Management Council plan for land. owned Take into account account into Take erosion, coastal and surge sea flooding in all infrastructure new and development projects. L1 L2 L3 A1 Adaptation Mitigation Adaptation 4.4 Air Quality 4.3 Land 4.5 Biodiversity
Time Action Performance Indicator Responsibility Outcome Frame Mitigation Native habitats are Increase native conserved and maintained. endemic vegetation B1.1 Number of areas of to ensure Contiguous habitat B1 conserved habitat 2011/12 Infrastructure conservation corridors are increased. for biodiversity of existing High levels of biodiversity communities. are maintained. Adaptation Native habitat areas are Advocate for monitored. biodiversity and B2.1 Number of Office of the B2 habitat monitoring advocacy activities Ongoing Priority biodiversity Chief Executive by external undertaken conservation areas are organisations. identified, and then established. Continue to B3.1 Number of revegetate East Native endemic habitat at B3 revegetation Ongoing Infrastructure Point Recreation East Point is increased. activities undertaken Reserve.
4.6 Recycling and Waste
Time Action Performance Indicator Responsibility Outcome Frame Mitigation Council’s Kerbside Waste R1.1 Review of Minimisation Strategy is strategy undertaken reviewed. Review and enhance Council’s R1.2 Volume of waste Volume of waste sent to R1 kerbside waste sent to landfill 2013/15 Infrastructure landfill per capita is reduced. minimisation per capita Recycling rates per capita strategy. R1.3 Recycling rates are increased. per capita Life of Shoal Bay landfill is extended. Inclusion of greater range of economical recyclable products in new kerbside Advocate and collection contract 2017. promote a greater R2.1 Number of advocacy range of economical Volume of waste sent to and promotional R2 recyclable products 2017 Infrastructure landfill per capita is reduced. opportunities to be included undertaken Recycling rates per capita within Council’s are increased. recycling service. Community satisfaction with Council’s recycling service is increased.
32 Climate Change Action Plan 2011-2020 City of Darwin Section 1 Section 2 Section 3 Section 6 Section 4 Section 5 Introduction Climate Change Climate Change Climate Change Action Abbreviations, Glossary Corporate Actions Community Actions Policy Structures Overview Plan 2011-2020 and References 33
Outcome Container Deposit Container introduced Legislation and promoted. green number of Increased and services products purchased. on influence Council’s the supply chain through and support for education emission low sustainable is increased. industries sent waste of Volume landfill per fullto time is reduced. equivalent per full rates Recycling are time equivalent increased. rate consumption Paper is per full time equivalent reduced. sent waste of Volume landfill per fullto time is reduced. equivalent per full rates Recycling are time equivalent increased. rate consumption Paper is per full time equivalent reduced. on influence Council’s the supply chain through and support for education emission low sustainable is increased. industries Volume of plastic bag and plastic of Volume sent packaging waste landfill per fullto time is reduced. equivalent Responsibility Infrastructure Corporate Services of the Office Executive Chief of the Office Executive Chief Corporate Services Office of the Office Executive Chief Time Frame Ongoing 2011/12 2012/13 2011/12 2012/13 2011/12 Climate Change Action Plan 2011-2020 Change Action Plan 2011-2020 Darwin Climate City of Number of promotional undertaken activities reporting Waste including recycling rates Development of a of Development Purchasing Green Policy of Percentage and products green purchased services policy waste Internal developed community of Ratio using events environmentally preferable packaging Volume of plastic of Volume bags and packaging landfill per to sent full time equivalent R3.1 R6.1 R4.1 R4.2 R5.1 R7.1 R8.1 Performance Indicator Performance Action Continue to to Continue Council’s promote on Position Policy Deposit Container Legislation. a Green Develop Policy Purchasing Council. for internal an Develop policy waste with actions to to staff encourage their waste reduce while at production work. and report Monitor waste on Council’s production. all Encourage Council, of areas markets community, events and other implement to environmentally preferable packaging. Promote the Promote minimisation of bag use andplastic internally. packaging R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8 Adaptation Mitigation 4.7 Energy
Time Action Performance Indicator Responsibility Outcome Frame Mitigation E1.1 Energy Audits completed Undertake E1.2 Continual programmed benchmarking of Ongoing energy audits on progress (every Office of the Council’s energy E1 Council’s major three Chief Executive consumption is reduced. energy consuming E1.3 Identified areas in years) facilities every three Council’s operations years. where cost effective energy reductions can be made E2.1 Regular Greenhouse Gas Inventories Council has increased Conduct Greenhouse undertaken Office of the understanding of its E2 Gas Inventories Ongoing E2.2 Regularly address Chief Executive greenhouse gas production every three years. Council’s compliance and related impacts. with emissions trading scheme Apply ecologically sustainable ESD principles applied development E3.1 Ratio of new and across new and refurbished (ESD) design refurbished Council Council facilities. E3 principles and buildings with ESD Ongoing Infrastructure Council’s energy energy efficiency design principles consumption is reduced. criteria for new and applied refurbished council facilities. Investigate feasibility of renewable Projects which utilise E4.1 Feasibility studies E4 generated power Ongoing Infrastructure renewable generated undertaken for use within power are implemented. Council’s facilities and parks. Power and Water Lobby Power and supply local accredited Water Corporation E5.1 Number of Office of the GreenPower. E5 to provide local lobbying activities Ongoing Chief Executive accredited undertaken. Opportunity for Council to GreenPower. purchase local accredited GreenPower is available. Encourage energy E6.1 Ratio of energy efficient features in efficient features Council’s public lighting E6 2011/12 Infrastructure new public lighting implemented versus efficiency is increased. design. actual projects
34 Climate Change Action Plan 2011-2020 City of Darwin Section 1 Section 2 Section 3 Section 6 Section 4 Section 5 Introduction Climate Change Climate Change Climate Change Action Abbreviations, Glossary Corporate Actions Community Actions Policy Structures Overview Plan 2011-2020 and References 35 Outcome Council’s energy energy Council’s is reduced. consumption rate consumption Paper is per full time equivalent reduced. Council’s travel related related travel Council’s gas emissions greenhouse reduced. are or scooters Electric vehicles city for considered are usage. lower of Percentage in vehicles emissions increased. fleet Council’s Staff travelling to work work to travelling Staff environmentally by methods travel preferable is increased. in Ride participation Staff is increased. day Work To is car-pooling Staff increased. energy Council’s and consumption are production emissions reduced. Council’s energy energy Council’s is reduced. consumption homesThe number of appliedwith ESD principles within the municipality is increased. Responsibility Corporate Corporate Services Corporate Corporate Services Office of the Office Executive Chief Corporate Services of the Office Executive Chief Office of the Office Executive Chief Time Frame Ongoing Ongoing 2013/14 2013/14 2013/15 2011/12 Climate Change Action Plan 2011-2020 Change Action Plan 2011-2020 Darwin Climate City of Set-up of priority of Set-up car spaces Annual energy reporting Number of promotional activities undertaken Development of a of Development Computer Green Policy Development of a of Development Policy Fleet Green into Investigation electric vehicles/ undertaken scooters Number of promotional undertaken activities E7.1 E8.1 E8.2 E9.1 E10.1 E11.1 E12.1 Performance Indicator Performance Action Develop a Green a Green Develop Policy. Computer Develop a Green a Green Develop policy to Fleet minimise GHG including emissions the investigating electricuse of vehicles/scooters central Darwin for district business usage. Promote the Promote of car- benefits pooling, biking, and public walking use to transport staff. Allocate staff staff Allocate priority parking car- for spaces poolers. and Monitor Council’s report usage andenergy emissions. Promote energy energy Promote conservation of and concept living to sustainable all staff. E7 E8 E9 E10 E11 E12 Adaptation Mitigation Section 5 – Community Actions
Provide information and tools to assist reduction of energy consumption within the community.
36 Climate Change Action Plan 2011-2020 City of Darwin Section 1 Section 2 Section 3 Section 6 Section 4 Section 5 Introduction Climate Change Climate Change Climate Change Action Abbreviations, Glossary Corporate Actions Community Actions Policy Structures Overview Plan 2011-2020 and References 37 Outcome Outcome Community awareness awareness Community change climate of and associated issues challenges is increased. Community has an Community understanding increased consumption energy of to it relates and how their actions. Community awareness awareness Community change climate of associated and issues challenges is increased. Climate change and Climate related environment projects community are and programs undertaken. awareness Community change climate of associated and issues challenges is increased. Office of the Office Executive Chief Responsibility of the Office Executive Chief Office of the Office Executive Chief Office of the Office Executive Chief Time Frame Ongoing Ongoing Ongoing Ongoing Climate Change Action Plan 2011-2020 Change Action Plan 2011-2020 Darwin Climate City of Number of public displays and events in participated Number of programs and products delivered Number of public displays and events participated Number of successful to applicants grants Estimated of reduction gas greenhouse due to emissions grants CMC1.1 CMC1.1 Performance Indicator Performance CMC2.1 CMC3.1 CMC3.1 CMC4.1 CMC4.1 CMC4.2 Action Develop public Develop displays education and libraries for public events climate around change issues. Provide information information Provide assist to and tools energy of reduction within consumption the community. Work with and Work support, community based sustainability events. Provide climate climate Provide change and grant environment funding. CMC1 Mitigation Adaptation CMC2 CMC3 CMC4 5.1 Climate Change 5.1 Climate 5.2 Water
Time Action Performance Indicator Responsibility Outcome Frame Mitigation Build partnerships CMW1.1 Number of with external partnerships agencies to developed Community education provide community Office of the campaigns are CMW1 CMW1.2 Number of Ongoing education combined Chief Executive integrated through campaigns for education partnerships. reduced water campaigns usage. undertaken
5.3 Land
Time Action Performance Indicator Responsibility Outcome Frame Mitigation Advocate for urban intensification along public transport corridors, CML1.1 Number of Carbon dioxide is high density and submissions reduced and energy urban design, Office of the CML1 made for efficient Ongoing efficiencies are incorporating Chief Executive urban design increased within the universal design projects municipality. principles including ‘Aging-in-Place’ independent living principles.
5.4 Biodiversity
Time Action Performance Indicator Responsibility Outcome Frame Mitigation CMB1.1 Number of public displays and events Work with a variety participated in of government and annually non government Revegetation projects CMB1.2 Number of Office of the CMB1 organisations to Ongoing undertaken on Council revegetation Chief Executive promote benefits land are increased. programs of community tree completed planting days. annually CMB1.3 Number of Council contracts Adaptation Refuge areas for Promote the threatened species are protection of areas CMB2.1 Number of Office of the increased. CMB2 of high conservation promotions Ongoing Chief Executive values in the Darwin undertaken High conservation value municipality. areas are increased within the municipality.
38 Climate Change Action Plan 2011-2020 City of Darwin Section 1 Section 2 Section 3 Section 6 Section 4 Section 5 Introduction Climate Change Climate Change Climate Change Action Abbreviations, Glossary Corporate Actions Community Actions Policy Structures Overview Plan 2011-2020 and References 39 Outcome Community has a Community understanding greater and resource recycling of recovery. sent waste of Volume landfill per capita isto reduced. per capita rates Recycling increased. are rates recovery Resource increased. are of Contamination is reduced. recyclables sent waste of Volume landfill per capita isto reduced. Volume of waste sent waste of Volume landfill per capita isto reduced. per capita rates Recycling increased. are Plastic bag litter is bag litter Plastic within the reduced community. single use of Volume is bag consumed plastic decreased. Responsibility Office of the Office Executive Chief Infrastructure Infrastructure Office of the Office Executive Chief Time Frame Ongoing 2011/12 Ongoing Ongoing Climate Change Action Plan 2011-2020 Change Action Plan 2011-2020 Darwin Climate City of Provision of Provision information on recycling receptacles Number of promotions undertaken Number of promotional activities undertaken Volume of plastic of Volume bags consumed within the community CMR2.1 CMR1.1 CMR3.1 CMR4.1 Performance Indicator Performance Action Provide prominent prominent Provide recycling information on recycling receptacles. Promote recycling recycling Promote and resource at recovery community including events and markets use promotional in assist to activities residents educating of in reduction generated waste households. from Continue to provide provide to Continue contemporary community waste for education and recycling. Support the minimisation of single use plastic bags within the community. Adaptation CMR1 CMR2 Mitigation CMR3 CMR4 5.5 Recycling and Waste 5.5 Recycling 5.6 Energy
Time Action Performance Indicator Responsibility Outcome Frame Mitigation New buildings and Promote energy retrofits using ABGR, efficient building NABERS and NatHERS design suitable CME1.1 Number of principles are increased. Office of the CME1 for the tropical promotions Ongoing Chief Executive Community awareness climate of Darwin undertaken of opportunities and in partnership with benefits of energy other organisations. efficient design is increased. Advocate to relevant authorities the potential for reward schemes CME2.1 Number of Resident uptake of or incentives advocacy Office of the CME2 Ongoing reward schemes and for residents opportunities Chief Executive incentives is increased. who implement undertaken measurable power conservation initiatives. Uptake of emission Promote emission reduction strategies and reduction strategies, cool housing design is cool housing CME3.1 Number of increased. designs, Energy promotional Office of the CME3 Ongoing Star rated appliance activities Chief Executive Community has a greater information and undertaken understanding of the grid connected solar connections between panels. every day actions and energy consumption. Community has a greater understanding of the Participate connections between in programs CME4.1 Number of every day actions and encouraging public displays Office of the CME4 Ongoing energy consumption. efficient energy and events Chief Executive usage in participated in Uptake of programs households. encouraging reduced household energy consumption is increased.
40 Climate Change Action Plan 2011-2020 City of Darwin Section 1 Section 2 Section 3 Section 6 Section 4 Section 5 Introduction Climate Change Climate Change Climate Change Action Abbreviations, Glossary Corporate Actions Community Actions Policy Structures Overview Plan 2011-2020 and References 41 Outcome Inclusion of energy energy Inclusion of within design efficient and building codes locally both standards and nationally. has a greater Community green of understanding benefits. travel of uptake Increased methods. travel green investigates Government and implements publicsustainable where systems transport feasible. and uptake Introduction hubs. and Ride’ ‘Park of Responsibility Office of the Office Executive Chief of the Office Executive Chief of the Office Executive Chief of the Office Executive Chief Time Frame Ongoing Ongoing Ongoing Ongoing Climate Change Action Plan 2011-2020 Change Action Plan 2011-2020 Darwin Climate City of Number of advocacy opportunities undertaken Number of promotional activities undertaken Number of lobbying activities undertaken Number of advocacy opportunities undertaken CME5.1 CME6.1 CME7.1 CME8.1 Performance Indicator Performance Action Advocate to Advocate authorities relevant energy-efficient standards design for and codes and commercial premises. industrial for Lobby publicsustainable systems. transport the Advocate ‘Park of introduction Hubs. and Ride’ Promote the Promote of car- benefits pooling, biking, and public walking use in the transport community. CME5 CME6 CME7 CME8 Mitigation Section 6 – Abbreviations, Glossary and References
42 Climate Change Action Plan 2011-2020 City of Darwin Section 1 Section 2 Section 3 Section 6 Section 4 Section 5 Introduction Climate Change Climate Change Climate Change Action Abbreviations, Glossary Corporate Actions Community Actions Policy Structures Overview Plan 2011-2020 and References 43
International Council for Local for Council International Initiatives Environmental on Panel Intergovernmental Change Climate Diode Emitting Light Gas Liquid Petroleum on Panel Intergovernmental Change Climate Ozone Organisation Meteorological World Program Environment Nations United Nitrous Oxide Nitrous Northern Territory Index Pollution National Methane Million tonnes Built Energy Australian National System rating House Energy Nationwide Scheme Rating Gas Inventory Greenhouse National Greenhouse National Strategy Response Strategy Greenhouse National – 4 O – – 2 2 ICLEI – – IPCC LED – LPG – – IPCC CH WMO – WMO UNEP – NT – NPI – O Mt – NABERS – – NatHERS NGGI – NGRS – NGS – N Climate Change Action Plan 2011-2020 Change Action Plan 2011-2020 Darwin Climate City of Carbon Dioxide Equivalent Carbon Dioxide Chlorofluorocarbon and Industrial Scientific Commonwealth Organisation Research Darwin City Council Development Sustainable Ecologically Framework Nations The United Change on Climate Convention Time Equivalent Full Gas Emissions Greenhouse Potential Warming Greenhouse Hectare System Water Hot Australian Building Greenhouse Rating Building Greenhouse Australian Statistics of Bureau Australian Research Agriculture of Bureau Australian Economics Office Greenhouse Australian ™ Protection Climate for Cities Meteorology of Bureau Carbon Dioxide
– -e – 2 2 – CFC – CSIRO – DCC ESD – FCCC – FTE – GHG – – GWP Ha – HWS – ABGR – ABGR ABS – ABARE – – AGO – CCP™ – BOM CO 6.1 Abbreviations CO 6.2 Glossary
Abatement Reducing the degree or intensity of, or eliminating greenhouse gas emissions.
Anthropogenic Resulting from or produced by human activities, in particular, factors that affect the atmosphere due to the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation and other land use change.
Brown fields/development This relates to previously developed land which is available for re-use.
CO2 Carbon dioxide is a colourless, odourless gas that occurs naturally and is also emitted by fossil fuel combustion and land clearing.
CFCs Chlorofluorocarbons are greenhouse gases used for refrigeration, aerosol propellants and other purposes. These gases bind with ozone molecules in the Earth’s atmosphere and deplete the ozone layer.
Carbon sequestration Carbon sequestration is defined by the IPCC as the process through which carbon is absorbed by biomass such as trees, soils and crops.
Carbon sink Ecosystems, notably forest and oceans which remove carbon from the atmosphere by absorbing and storing it, thereby offsetting carbon dioxide emissions, are referred to as carbon sinks.
Climate Climate is defined by the WMO as 30 years of weather including temperature, precipitation and wind.
Climate change This refers to the statistically significant variation in the average state of climate over a minimum 30 year period for an extended period
Climate variability In comparison to climate change, climate variability describes a range of weather conditions which, averaged together, describe the ‘climate’ of a region. In some parts of the world, or in any region for certain time periods or parts of the year, this variability can be weak, i.e. there is not much difference in the conditions within that time period. However, in other places or time periods, conditions can swing across a large range, from freezing to very warm, or from very wet to very dry, thereby exhibiting strong variability.
FTE Full Time Equivalent relates to the number of equivalent full time staff which work in an organisation. For example, 2 x part time staff = 1 x full time equivalent.
Greenfields development This refers to undeveloped agricultural, native vegetation or landscape designed land being developed for large projects such as housing, factories, airports, etc.
GWP Greenhouse Warming Potential is an index describing characteristics of greenhouse gases that represents the combined effect of the differing times these gases remain in the atmosphere and their relative effectiveness in absorbing outgoing infrared radiation.
IPCC Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change was set up in 1988 by the WMO and UNEP to advise governments on the latest science of climate change, its impacts and the possible adaptation and mitigation activities.
Methane Methane is a greenhouse gas produced through processes including decomposition of landfill waste in the absence of oxygen; animal digestion; and production of gas and oil.
44 Climate Change Action Plan 2011-2020 City of Darwin Section 1 Section 2 Section 3 Section 6 Section 4 Section 5 Introduction Climate Change Climate Change Climate Change Action Abbreviations, Glossary Corporate Actions Community Actions Policy Structures Overview Plan 2011-2020 and References 45 Climate Change Action Plan 2011-2020 Change Action Plan 2011-2020 Darwin Climate City of Nitrous Oxide is a greenhouse gas mainly produced by industrial by produced gas mainly is a greenhouse Oxide Nitrous including land activities, agricultural use and other fertiliser processes, burning. and biomass clearing per person. of a measurement to Relates forested land to non-forested of conversion human-induced It is the direct seed sources natural planting, of land through seeding and /or promotion or vegetation by the atmosphere forms gases greenhouse of The removal measures. technological sources. multiple emissions can be made up of sector by Emissions Mitigation of global warming refers to actions taken to reduce the reduce to taken actions to refers warming global of Mitigation on global their effects minimize to in order gas emissions greenhouse global warming, mitigation to adapt trying to of Instead change. climate cause and actions that the products of and control the prevention to refers change. climate on Australia’s annual reports provides Gas Inventory Greenhouse National It under the UNFCCC. commitments as part of gas emissions greenhouse and reports the IPCC by established guidelines is based on international – energy, in six sectors gas emissions greenhouse on human – induced land use agriculture, use, product and other solvent processes, industrial and waste. and forestry changes O 2 Per capita Per Reforestation Sequestration Sector Mitigation NGGI N 6.3 References i World Meteorological Organisation, visited August 2011 (http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/wcp/ccl/faqs.html). ii Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (2007) IPPC Fourth Assessment Report: Climate Change 2007. iii Weart, S. (2011) Past Cycles: Ice Age Speculations, visited June 2011 (www.aip.org/history/climate). iv Ibid. v Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Source, visited June 2011 (http://www.ipcc.ch/). vi Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency (2011) Australia’s National Greenhouse Gas Accounts - State and Territory Greenhouse Gas Inventories 2009. Commonwealth Government, Canberra. vii Ibid. viii Ibid. ix F. Lambert (2011) LMS Generation Pty Ltd, pers. comm. 26 July 2011. x Bureau of Meteorology, visited March 2010 (http://www.bom.gov.au/). xi Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), visited March 2010 (http://www.csiro.au/). xii Bureau of Meteorology, visited February 2010 (http://www.bom.gov.au/). xiii Solomon, S., Qin, D., Manning, M., Chen, Z., Marquis, M., Averyt, K.B., Tignor, M. and Miller, H.L. (eds.) (2007) The Physical Basis, Contribution of Working Group I to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Cambridge, UK. xiv Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (2010) IPCC Fourth Assessment Report: Climate Change 2007 (AR4), visited March 2010 (http://www.ipcc.ch/). xv Northern Territory Government (2011) Darwin Area Storm Surge Inundation for 2100, Darwin. xvi Bureau of Meteorology, visited February 2010 (http://www.bom.gov.au/). xvii Northern Territory Government (2009) Darwin Storm Surge pamphlet, Northern Territory Emergency Service, Darwin. xviii Northern Territory Government (2011) Darwin Area Storm Surge Inundation for 2100, Darwin. xix Bureau of Meteorology, visited March 2010 (http://www.bom.gov.au/). xx Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), visited March 2010 (http://www.csiro.au/ xxi Bureau of Meteorology, visited February 2010 (http://www.bom.gov.au/). xxii Jones, G., Baban, S. and Pathirana, S. (2008) Coastal Erosion Issues in the East Point and Nightcliff areas of Darwin - A report prepared for Darwin City Council School of Environmental Science and Management, Southern Cross University, Lismore. xxiii Department of Climate Change (2008) Inquiry into Climate Change and Environmental Impacts on Coastal Communities, Canberra. xxiv Jones, G., Baban, S. and Pathirana, S. (2008) Coastal Erosion Issues in the East Point and Nightcliff areas of Darwin - A report prepared for Darwin City Council School of Environmental Science and Management, Southern Cross University, Lismore. xxv Sustainable Tourism Cooperative Research Centre (2009) The Impacts of Climate Change on Australian Tourism Destinations – Developing Adaptation and Response Strategies CRC, Gold Coast.
46 Climate Change Action Plan 2011-2020 City of Darwin Section 1 Section 2 Section 3 Section 6 Section 4 Section 5 Introduction Climate Change Climate Change Climate Change Action Abbreviations, Glossary Corporate Actions Community Actions Policy Structures Overview Plan 2011-2020 and References 47
Climate Change Action Plan 2011-2020 Change Action Plan 2011-2020 Darwin Climate City of
Sustainable Cities Index – Ranking Cities Index (2010) Sustainable V. and Wong, S. M., McMillan, O’Rouke, S., M.,Trigg, Richter, South Wales. New Foundation, Conservation Australian cities in 2010 20 largest Australia’s Risks from Climate Change to Indigenous Communities in the Indigenous Communities Change to Climate and Morrison, J. (2009) Risks from S. Jackson, D., Green, Efficiency: Canberra. Energy Change and Climate of Department Australia. North of Tropical Coastal Erosion Issues in the East Point and Nightcliff areas of areas and Nightcliff Point in the East Issues Erosion Coastal (2008) S. G., Baban, and Pathirana, S. Jones,
School of Environmental Science and Management, Science Southern Environmental School of Darwin City Council for prepared Darwin - A report Lismore. University, Cross Australia’s Biodiversity & Climate Change –Climate & Biodiversity Australia’s (2009) Advisory Group Change Expert Climate and Biodiversity Canberra. Change, Climate of 2009, Department makers policy Summary for
ustralia’s Biodiversity Conservation Strategy 2010-2030 Strategy Conservation Biodiversity ustralia’s The Science of Climate Change Questions and Answers and Answers Change Questions Climate of The Science http://www.science.org.au/policy/climatechange.html. (2010) Meteorology of Bureau Australian well- sustainability, safety, for intelligence with environmental Australians – Providing Plan 2010-2015 Strategic being and prosperity http://www.bom.gov.au/info/leaflets/strategic-plan-2010-15.pdf. Efficiency (2011) Change and Energy Climate of Department Projections Emissions Australia’s http://www.climatechange.gov.au. Efficiency (2011) Change and Energy Climate of Department Change Plan Climate Government’s – The Australian future a clean energy Securing Government Australian Australian Academy of Science (2010) Science of Academy Australian Additional information can be obtained from the Federal and Territory government government and Territory the Federal from obtained can be Additional information references: the following as from as well websites http://www.cleanenergyfuture.gov.au. (2010) Council Management Ministerial Resource Natural Australian A xxvii xxviii xxvi Climate in a Changing Zone Managing our Coastal Plan 2010-2015 Management Resource Natural Integrated Northern Territory http://climatecommission.gov.au/topics/the-critical-decade/. Sustainability) for governments (Local Initiatives Environmental Local for Council International www.iclei.org/ccp-au. (2009) Australia of the Commonwealth of The Parliament http://www.csiro.au/resources/Climate-Change-Book.html. Management (2010) Resource Natural Territory http://www.territorynrm.org.au/inrm-plan/2010-2015-inrm-plan. http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/publications/strategy-2010-30/index.html. (2011) Commissioner Climate , Canberra Commission Climate risks and responses science, – Climate Decade The Critical http://www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/ccwea/coastalzone/report.htm. (2011) Smith, M., Battaglia, M. P. Stafford and Graham, Publishing CSIRO Australia and Solutions for Change:Climate Science xxix
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