Go Solar campaign wins
Friday 30 October 2020
Inner West Council has won the Community Engagement Achievement category for the Go Solar campaign at last night’s Cities Power Partnership 2020 Climate Awards.
The awards recognise outstanding council-led initiatives all over Australia and celebrate the exceptional achievements of member councils striving to lower greenhouse gas emissions and embrace clean energy and transport.
Council’s Community Engagement Award was for ‘excellence in a Council that has worked to reduce emissions through community engagement, education and behaviour change projects and programs’.
Guest presenter Craig Reucassel (ABC’s War on Waste, Fight for Planet A and Big Weather) congratulated Inner West Council, noting that the winning entry was a shining example of community engagement in a competitive field of entrants.
“Inner West’s initiatives shows how local governments can make massive inroads when it comes to driving more solar in communities, which deliver not only major emissions reductions but also significant cost savings for local residents and businesses,” Mr Reucassel said.
“Our Go Solar program reflects our commitment to make the Inner West the best local government in Australia and a national leader in environmental policy,” said Darcy Byrne, Inner West Mayor.
“Our Go Solar initiatives are part of our target to increase the amount of solar generated in our local government area by 1,000 per cent, from 11 megawatts to 121 megawatts, over the next decade.
“We also have committed to becoming 100% carbon neutral in 2025, having already became the first Council in Australia to achieve 100% divestment from fossil fuels in June 2019.
“Inner West Council is taking serious actions on climate change by thinking globally but acting locally, said Mayor Byrne.
Council’s Go Solar campaign partners with innovative enterprises such as the Haystacks Solar Garden Co-operative, Wattblock, Australian Energy Foundation, Solar my School, Cities Power Partnership, UNSW’s Sunspot team, Community Power Agency, Pingala Community Energy and the Australian Youth Climate Coalition.
Through these agencies, Council is finding solar solutions for all residents and businesses in the Inner West.
Find out more about Council’s Go Solar campaign at www.innerwest.nsw.gov.au/solar
For media enquiries, contact Elizabeth Heath, Media and Communications Coordinator, 9392 5334 or Elizabeth.Heath@innerwest.nsw.gov.au