ACT announces $63 million emission reduction plan as states take lead on energy

Smoke stacks

The Australian Capital Territory has announced a $63 million investment over four years in emission reduction, as part of the 2021-22 state budget. While the country continues the clean energy transition, a number of states and territories have begun to announce their own slew of schemes and programs to support further emission reductions. 

The ACT has become the latest to join a number of Australian states announcing new emission reduction plans, following New South Wales’ new initiatives last week. The allocated funding targets a range of initiatives that aim to assist the state achieve its 2045 net-zero goal. 

The initiatives to be supported by the ACT government aim to reduce carbon emissions while supporting habitats in bushland, waterways and suburbs. Among the $63 million investment, the ACT is planning to allocate:

  • $15.3 million to reduce carbon emissions from the ACT Government Callam Offices in Woden
  • $12.8 million for the Emergency Service Agency’s Vehicle Replacement Program, which will add nine zero-emission vehicles to the fleet
  • Providing the first $5 million of the $50 million Vulnerable Household Energy Support Scheme, which will help low-income homeowners and public support tenants cut their energy bills with subsidies to switch from fossil fuel gas to efficient electric appliances. 
  • $5 million for the Community Clubs Building Energy Efficiency Fund, supporting clubs to reduce their costs and reliance on pokies by making energy efficient improvements. 

Funding will also be provided to expand the Healthy Waterways program as well as for environmental offset planning, implementation, monitoring and research as part of the government’s land release program, the continuation of the Solar for Low Income Scheme and funding to continue the Community Zero Emissions Grant Program.

The ACT government further announced that a range of other initiatives to tackle climate change will also be funded. 

Alongside the new initiatives, the government has announced the Sustainable Household Scheme is now open to all eligible households and individuals in the Australian Capital Territory following a successful trial program. 

The Sustainable Household Scheme provides zero-interest loans between $2,000-$15,000 to eligible households to help with the upfront cost of investing in energy efficient home upgrades. Rooftop solar systems, battery storage systems, electric heating and cooling and electric vehicle charging infrastructure are just some of the home upgrades eligible for the loans. 

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