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                    A city that cares for its environment

                    Icon for 'A city that cares for its environment'
                    Environmental sustainability is the basis of all Future Melbourne goals. It requires current generations to choose how they meet their needs without compromising the ability of future generations to be able to do the same.

                    The decisions made today about energy, infrastructure, buildings and transport planning will lock in the pathway to achieving the rapid decarbonisation of the municipality needed to mitigate climate change.

                    The outcomes we will work towards in 2017–21

                    • Melbourne’s reputation as a global city leader of sustainability is maintained.
                    • Melbourne will meet its pledge to help deliver the Paris Agreement to limit global temperature rise.
                    • Melbourne uses its resources efficiently
                    • Melbourne is adapting well to climate change.*

                    * Also a health and wellbeing priority.

                    How we’ll measure success

                    City of Melbourne indicators

                    • An increase in understorey vegetation in the municipality.
                    • The number of trees planted in the municipality per year.
                    • The number of new tree species introduced to the whole municipality.
                    • The municipality’s stormwater storage capacity.
                    • Melbourne’s C40 participation rating.
                    • A decrease in the City of Melbourne’s greenhouse gas emissions in line with its science based emissions reduction target.*

                    * Key indicator.

                    Municipal indicators

                    • An increase in the percentage of water sourced from alternative sources to meet municipal needs.
                    • The percentage of tree canopy cover in the public realm.
                    • New permeable surfaces created in the municipality.
                    • A decrease in municipal greenhouse gas emissions in line with the Paris Agreement.*
                    • A decrease in energy consumption per capita.
                    • A decrease in water consumption per capita.
                    • A decrease in waste-to-landfill per resident.

                    * Key indicator.

                    Download this section of the Council Plan

                    Goal: A city that cares for its environment
                    Goal: A city that cares for its environment PDF 92 KB
                    pdf 92 KB                    Goal: A city that cares for its environment DOC 57 KB
                    doc 57 KB

                    Key programs and actions

                    Summary for Urban Policymakers

                    The IPCC Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C tells us the science is clear, we have to act now. The Summary for Urban Policymakers tells us what the IPCC Special Report on 1.5°C means for cities. 

                    Read the Open letter on the Summary for Urban Policymakers (PDF 337 KB)

                    Green our City Action Plan

                    The Green Our City Strategic Action Plan is a four year plan that includes 11 actions and 4 targets aiming to improve the quality and quantity of green roofs and vertical greening in the municipality to support amenity, liveability and adapt to climate change.

                    Open Space Strategy

                    Our Open Space Strategy provides the overarching framework and strategic direction for open space planning in the City of Melbourne for the next 15 years. It includes commentary on Urban Heat Island effect mitigation and environmental improvements.

                    Eco city forums

                    These forums provide you with an opportunity to learn about our sustainability programs and what you can do at home to reduce your ecological footprint.

                    Join the conversation and get updates on environmental programs and events by:

                    CitySwitch Green Office program

                    ​We have helped hundreds of businesses reduce their energy use and environmental impact through the CitySwitch program. We have our own CitySwitch program manager available to answer your questions and come out and help you measure, plan, implement and monitor your impact and actions, free of charge. Find out more at CitySwitch Green Office program.

                    Nature in the City Strategy

                    This is the City of Melbourne’s first strategy to create and maintain healthy ecosystems and thriving biodiversity within the city. By considering our city as a wider ecosystem, we’ll create opportunities for connections between people, plants, animals and the landscape. Read about our Nature in the City Strategy.

                    Urban Forest Strategy

                    ​We are planting diverse tree species to create a healthier and cooler landscape, with the aim of doubling the city’s tree canopy by 2040. Read more about our Urban Forest Strategy.

                    New technologies

                    ​We are trialling cool roofs, green roofs, walls and facades, and providing technical guidelines to property owners. Read our sustainable building case studies.

                    Green transport

                    ​The City of Melbourne has an extensive network of public transport and dedicated bike lanes. Swanston Street, the city’s main street, is closed to car traffic. Read more about our Transport Strategy and Bicycle Plan.

                    Water management

                    ​Visit Urban Water to discover how we are creating a sustainable water system for the city. Explore current projects and read Total Watermark: City as a Catchment, our four-year plan for integrated water cycle management.

                    Solar program

                    Our solar program provides information and assistance on installing rooftop solar panels for residents and businesses. For more information, see:

                    1200 Buildings

                    Our 1200 Buildings program helps commercial building owners retrofit their properties with modern energy-efficient technologies.

                    If 1200 buildings improved their energy efficiency, the greenhouse gas savings would help achieve the city’s carbon neutral goal.

                    Climate Change Mitigation strategy

                    To reduce the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the municipality, we have developed the Climate Change Mitigation Strategy for 2050 (PDF 8.1 MB) .

                    Climate change adaptation

                    We have undertaken research and implemented actions to better understand and prepare for the local impacts of climate change.

                    See Adapting to climate change and our Climate Change Adaptation Strategy for more information.

                    Waste management

                    ​The Waste and Resource Recovery Plan includes a range of actions across ten initiatives that address residential and commercial and industrial waste.

                    Emissions Reduction Plan

                    ​The City of Melbourne is now using science-based climate targets to reduce our organisation’s carbon emissions by 4.5 per cent each year, as explained in our Emissions Reduction Plan.

                    United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

                    The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a set of global principles to guide action. Adopted in 2015 by nations including Australia, they were designed with national governments in mind and are a voluntary agreement among the United Nations’ 193 member states. The SDGs can also be used by local governments and non-government organisations. While there are global targets sitting underneath each goal – the SDGs can be localised to address specific issues that are relevant in a local context that work to contribute to the global effort. City of Melbourne have completed a review to assess how the SDGs align to our strategies. The following report outlines our findings and work will continue to embed SDG thinking in our organisation.

                    Sustainability stories

                    We asked residents and visitors about sustainability, Melbourne's initiatives and what change is needed. View the videos.

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