Adelaide To Become The World’s First Carbon Neutral City

South Australia’s Premier is to meet UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon at Paris Climate Conference 2015. Adelaide is set to become the world’s first carbon neutral city, according to the Premier for South Australia, Jay Weatherill. The announcement is at the centre of a bold environmental plan for the region to become a global laboratory for world environmental projects, thinking and innovation.

The Premier made the announcement on route to the forthcoming 2015 Paris Climate Conference where he will meet UN Secretary General, Ban-Ki Moon and lead discussions about how regional Governments can lead the way in taking action towards addressing climate change. Weatherill is also Co-chair of the States and Regions Alliance which is part of an international NGO (based in London) called The Climate Group.

The Climate Group States & Regions brings together sub-national government leaders from around the world in a powerful, high-profile network that shares expertise, demonstrates impact and influences the international climate dialogue.

Before travelling to Paris, the Premier spent time at Second Home in London with its founder Rohan Silva and met Ecotricity boss and eco entrepreneur Dale Vince at Forest Green Football Club in Stroud, Gloucestershire to discuss environmental innovation and renewable energy.

Jay Weatherill said: “I believe that we should use this moment to boldly declare Adelaide/South Australia as the global laboratory for creating the world’s first truly low carbon economy. It shows the world what a small, but committed jurisdiction of just 1.7 million people can do. It points the way to more to come and it’s real, not wishful thinking.”

South Australia’s environmental programme is set to include:

A commitment for Adelaide to become the world’s first carbon neutral city

A target for South Australia to achieve net zero emissions by 2050

41% of current energy needs met by renewables (wind & solar)

An ambition to become a low carbon electricity powerhouse and net exporter of renewable energy

Proposals sought for low carbon electricity to meet up to 100% of the State Government’s electricity usage

Already one in four households with solar PV systems and growing

The highest rate of re-cycling and lowest level of per capita land fill disposal in Australia

World’s best practice of container deposit legislation that supports a recycling industry

A commitment to electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles as the preferred mode of transport in the CBD, starting with the greening of government cars

Commenced on-road trials on the southern expressway for driverless cars (Volvo) – the first in the Southern Hemisphere

Introducing smart lighting for streets

Increasing use of recycled water in gardens and homes

Water tanks mandated for all new homes and house extensions

Building upgrade finance scheme to improve energy balance in buildings

Industry sector greenhouse agreements across the economy

Parliamentary endorsed climate change and greenhouse gas emissions reduction legislation

Ecological sustainability principles enshrined in planning laws

Extensive geothermal research and development underway in the far north of SA