Skip to main content

                    Taking bold action on climate change

                    The City of Melbourne is proud to be part of a local and international movement recognising that we are in a climate emergency that requires urgent action to reduce emissions and to address climate change impacts.

                    ​​​​​​​​​

                    Self-guided walking tours

                    Discover how Melbourne is adapting to climate change on a self-guided walking tour.

                    Explore the city and surrounds on foot, and discover the greening and infrastructure adapting Melbourne to the impacts of climate change. Visit and find out about green walls, stormwater harvesting, tree pits and other projects that contribute to Melbourne’s sustainability story. The four, free, self-guided walks cover the CBD and immediate surrounds.

                    Each walk is between 2 km and 4 km long, and visits sites like green walls, green roofs, tree pits, stormwater harvesting systems, urban gardens and nature based solutions to the impacts of climate change.

                    A climate and biodiversity emergency

                    City of Melbourne declared a climate and biodiversity emergency in 2019. In doing so, we joined around 1400 jurisdictions across 27 countries – a local and international movement recognising that climate change poses serious risks to the people of Melbourne and Australia.

                    The emergency acknowledges that temperature rise above 1.5°C will lead to major and irreversible damage to ecosystems. Up to one million species face extinction.

                    From the banks of the Yarra to the trees that line our streets and world-famous parks, Melbourne’s unique environment and coveted liveability are at risk from the effects of the climate change. In fact, we know climate change is already impacting Melbourne in many ways.

                    We know that immediate action to reduce emissions and adapt to the impacts is needed now if Melbourne is to remain a liveable city for future generations to visit, work and live in.

                    We are already responding

                    We have a strong record of reducing emissions and restoring and conserving biodiversity, but we realise the climate emergency we are facing requires even more urgent action.

                    We have:

                    • been certified carbon neutral for our operations every year since 2012
                    • cut emissions from our council operations by 53 per cent between 2013 and 2019
                    • purchased 100 per cent renewable energy through the Melbourne Renewable Energy Project
                    • switched our major events such as Melbourne Fashion Week, Melbourne Music Week and Melbourne Knowledge Week to be certified carbon neutral
                    • planted 3000 trees a year to grow our urban forest, with over 22,000 trees planted since 2012
                    • invested $40 million in stormwater harvesting and water sensitive design, capturing and reusing around 180,000 kilolitres of water per year.
                    • invested $17.1 million of Clean Energy Finance Corporation funds in energy efficiency and renewable energy, including 2244 solar panels installed and 11,816 street lights
                    • increased biodiversity with 16,000 m2 of new understorey vegetation planted in Melbourne since 2018, providing habitat for our wildlife
                    • greened the city and increased permeability by over 3500 m2 through park expansion and streetscapes projects 
                    • accelerated waste avoidance and resource recovery through centralised garbage and recycling hubs across the city.

                    We will do more

                    To support our climate and biodiversity emergency declaration, we have committed to reaching Council’s zero emissions target for the municipality 10 years earlier, by 2040.

                    In order to do this we have identified 10 priorities for accelerated action, based on the areas we can make the most impact.

                    Priorities for accelerated action table outlining Council's priorities and the impact and benefits.
                    View an accessible version of this table (DOC 68 KB)


                    We reported strong and moderate progress on all 10 priorities in September 2021:

                    Progress update: September 2021

                    ​​

                    Priority Status Update
                    Transition Council operations from fossil fuels.
                    Some progress
                    Gas free operations roadmap developed. Key challenge is funding.
                    Fast track delivery of 44 km of protected bike lanes outlined in the Transport Strategy 2030.
                    Strong progressRoll out accelerated as part of COVID recovery response.
                    Stimulate end market circular economy solutions.
                    Some progressMajor initiative scoped for 2021-25 Council Plan.
                    Embed climate change and biodiversity action into Council processes, programs and design and construction of assets.
                    Strong progressIncludes vulnerability assessment and embedding into 10 year asset plan for 2021-22
                    Mandate greening and zero emissions buildings through the Planning Scheme.
                    Some progressC376 endorsed by FMC. Key challenge is slow progress from Victorian Government on authorisation.
                    Accelerate renewable energy purchasing by businesses and residents.
                    Strong progressEvolved into Power Melbourne.
                    Incentivise good building environmental performance (including renewable energy use) through rates.
                    Strong progressEconomic analysis complete, further work on hold due to COVID impact on property market.
                    Build a business coalition to advance the clean and circular economy.
                    Some progressLink to major initiatives for Melbourne to be a global leader and an employment centre for resilient, zero carbon economy.
                    Tell Melbourne's climate change and biodiversity story.
                    Some progressLimited communications focus in last 12 months.
                    Undertake bold advocacy on behalf of our community.
                    Strong progress
                    Strong Victorian Government action in line with City of Melbourne advocacy positions. UN Climate Conference (Nov 21) and Federal Election key opportunities in 2021-22.


                    Progress update: January 2023


                    Priority Status Update
                    Transition Council operations from fossil fuels.
                    Some progress

                    Three facilities have switched to all electric operations. 

                    Kensington Recreation Centre design and construction contract awarded for all-electric build. 

                    Council on track to achieve a zero emissions fleet in 2025.

                    Fast track delivery of 44 km of protected bike lanes outlined in the Transport Strategy 2030.
                    Some progress

                    19.1km (or 41%) delivered to date.

                    Stimulate end market circular economy solutions.
                    Strong progress

                    Ten City of Melbourne businesses coached on Circular Economy Practices. Design of a Circular Economy Precinct underway. 

                    Over 23,000 dwellings are now participating in the Food Organics, Garden Organics recycling service.  6 high-rise buildings are trialling dehydrator units. 

                    Embed climate change and biodiversity action into Council processes, programs and design and construction of assets.
                    Strong progress
                    Sustainable and climate resilient assets guidance material finalised for internal stakeholders. 
                    Canopy cover as at June 2022 is at 25%. 

                    All committed major events run by City of Melbourne have now achieved carbon neutral certification.

                    Mandate greening and zero emissions buildings through the Planning Scheme.
                    Strong progress

                    The Minister has authorised the exhibition of C376 Sustainable Building Design amendment and consultation closed on 17 April 2023.

                    Accelerate renewable energy purchasing by businesses and residents.
                    Strong progress

                    Power Melbourne tender in market to engage a solution provider to deliver a network of community batteries linked to a renewable retail electricity offering for renters, apartment residents, and small businesses.

                    Incentivise good building environmental performance (including renewable energy use) through rates.
                    Strong progress

                    Developed a Zero Carbon Buildings Discussion Paper based on international review and extensive stakeholder engagement.

                    Build a business coalition to advance the clean and circular economy.
                    Strong progress

                    The Go Full Circle pilot project was delivered. 

                    Held the Investment roundtable and Zero Carbon Summit, and over 200 individuals signed up to join the Zero Carbon Cluster.

                    Tell Melbourne's climate change and biodiversity story.
                    Strong progress

                    Climate change and biodiversity stories were featured in a targeted communications campaign, Our Sustainable City. 

                    Work continues to embed messaging throughout the year through carbon neutral major events, asset delivery milestones, engagement and neighbourhoods. The Lord Mayor and councillors told our story at over 6 international events.

                    Undertake bold advocacy on behalf of our community.
                    Strong progress
                    ​​​Strong Victorian and Federal Government action in line with City of Melbourne advocacy positions.  ​ 



                    We need others to do more too

                    Australia is still the largest emitter of greenhouse gas emissions per capita in the developed world. Recent data shows our emissions have increased nationally over the last four years. This is hurting our economy, our environment and our health. The recent bushfires, drought and extreme weather across Australia are evidence of this.

                    We are calling upon the Victorian and Australian governments to declare a climate and biodiversity emergency and to commit to a 1.5°C science-based target in line with the Paris Climate Agreement.

                    Find out about action needed by Victorian and Australian Governments.

                    Read about what you can do.



                    ​The City of Melbourne is leading by example, demonstrating the possible and sharing the solutions to climate change. In 2018, we consulted with climate change experts and the community to develop a Climate Change Mitigation Strategy to 2050 (PDF 8.1 MB). This strategy guides our next steps in reducing the largest sources of emissions in our municipality – to achieve our science-based targets and to align our actions with the Paris Agreement on climate change.  Find out more about the other ways the City of Melbourne is acting on climate change.

                      Was this page helpful?

                      If you'd like to give more feedback or ask a question, please contact us.