Net Zero Commitments
While some level of global warming is already locked in, the pace and severity of future impacts are still within our control. The faster emissions are reduced, the more we can slow this trajectory and limit the scale of disruption facing communities.
Across Australia, net zero commitments are becoming the norm. The Commonwealth Government has legislated a national target of net zero emissions by 2050. Most states and territories have set their own targets, many with interim milestones. Increasingly, these commitments are flowing through to local government, with councils setting organisational and community-wide net zero goals.
But while the direction is clear, the detail is often less so. What does net zero actually mean in practice for councils? Where do the boundaries sit? And how do councils focus on genuine emissions reduction rather than getting lost in complexity?
At its core, net zero means reducing greenhouse gas emissions as much as possible, and only using offsets for the residual emissions that cannot be eliminated. For councils, this is both a technical and strategic challenge, requiring clear definitions, good data and practical pathways for action.
Understanding the Basics
For many councils, the starting point is understanding what is included in a net zero commitment. This is where concepts like scopes and organisational boundaries become important.
In simple terms:
- Scope 1 emissions are direct emissions from sources owned or controlled by the council, such as fuel used in fleet vehicles or gas used in facilities
- Scope 2 emissions are indirect emissions from purchased energy, primarily electricity
- Scope 3 emissions are all other indirect emissions that occur across the value chain, such as procurement, waste, construction and contracted services
Most councils have a reasonable handle on Scope 1 and 2 emissions. Scope 3 is where things become more complex, but also where the majority of emissions often sit.
There is also an important distinction between organisational emissions and community emissions. Some councils have committed to net zero for their own operations, while others are setting targets for their entire local government area. These are very different in scale, influence and delivery approach.
From Commitment to Action
Setting a target is the easy part. The real challenge is translating that commitment into credible, measurable action.
A practical approach for councils is to focus on what they can directly influence first:
- Transitioning facilities and street lighting to renewable electricity
- Electrifying fleet and reducing fuel use
- Improving energy efficiency across buildings and assets
- Embedding emissions considerations into asset planning and capital works
These actions not only reduce emissions, they often deliver cost savings over time and build internal capability.
Beyond this, councils can play a broader role through planning, procurement and community leadership. This includes influencing development outcomes, working with suppliers to reduce emissions and supporting local businesses and communities to transition.
The Role of Offsets
Offsets are often one of the most misunderstood aspects of net zero.
In principle, offsets are used to balance emissions that cannot be eliminated. In practice, they can sometimes be used too early or too heavily, creating a risk that real emissions reduction is delayed.
For councils, a credible net zero pathway typically involves:
- Prioritising direct emissions reduction wherever possible
- Using offsets only for residual, hard-to-abate emissions
- Ensuring offsets are high quality, verifiable and aligned with recognised standards
Offsets can play a role, but they are not a substitute for reducing emissions at the source.
A Whole-of-Organisation Shift
Net zero is not just an environmental target. It is a whole-of-organisation shift.
It requires changes in how decisions are made, how projects are assessed and how trade-offs are understood. Finance teams, asset managers, planners, engineers and procurement teams all have a role to play. Leadership is critical in setting direction, building capability and ensuring emissions considerations are embedded into everyday practice.
A Starting Point, Not the End
For councils, net zero should not be seen as a fixed endpoint, but as an ongoing transition. The pathway will evolve as technology improves, data becomes more robust and policy settings change.
The most effective councils are not those with the most ambitious targets on paper. They are the ones building practical, credible pathways that prioritise real emissions reduction, strengthen internal capability and create co-benefits for their communities. Acting early to reduce emissions is one of the most important ways councils can help shape a more stable and resilient future.
This is the starting point. From here, the next step is to go deeper into the areas that matter most, from Scope 3 emissions to procurement, offsets and the role of councils in influencing broader system change.