South Coast Alliance roadmap to target net zero emissions by 2050

A new road map is under development to help four south coast local governments to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.

The South Coast Alliance has commissioned local government climate change specialists Ironbark Sustainability to develop a Regional Net Zero Emissions Roadmap set to determine the actions, time frames and plan to achieve net zero emissions in the region by 2050.

SCA is a collaboration between the City of Albany, and shires of Denmark, Jerramungup and Plantagenet focused on leading sustainable economic development for the region.

It was named one of WA’s first Regional Climate Alliances alongside the Goldfields Voluntary Regional Organisation of Councils in July.

The report — expected to be completed by May 2022 — will include the development of net zero emissions reporting and monitoring frameworks and tools for the local governments to track their progress.

They will also create the regional community net zero emissions road map to understand activities under way or planned for each region that will impact on the achievement of the emissions target.

Ironbark Sustainability managing director Paul Brown said they were committed to ensuring the project supported SCA and the community to understand and plan what will be required to achieve net zero carbon emissions.

SCA chairman Dennis Wellington said the road map would allow the local governments to develop actions to reduce emissions.

“We will be able to be more direct in helping the community recognise the emissions they generate, and to implement effective change as early as possible,” he said.

“Recognising where local governments are most valuable in this project is a key part of the road map, along with the ability to track any involvement that is ultimately had by them.”