Inner West is now 100% renewable and 100% divested from fossil fuels
Wednesday 6 July 2022
Inner West Council has today become the first local government in Australia to be 100 percent divested from fossil fuels and 100 percent powered by renewable energy.
“Three years ago we became the first Council to become 100 percent divested from fossil fuels,” said Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne.
“Now, we are procuring 100 percent of our electricity needs from renewable sources.
“Inner West is the first Council in the country to have achieved and combined these two important environmental milestones.
“We are taking serious action on climate change by thinking globally and acting locally. We are determined that Inner West continues to be a national leader in sustainability.
“To achieve this, we have also committed to becoming 100 percent carbon neutral by 2025,” Mayor Byrne said.
The renewable energy deal was brokered through Southern Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (SSROC) with ZEN Energy.
Seventeen other Councils are also moving to 100 percent renewable energy from today, But Inner West is the only one that is also 100 percent divested from fossil fuels.
“Electricity makes up around three-quarters of Council’s corporate carbon emissions, so going completely renewable for electricity is a massive step forward for us,” Mayor Byrne said.
The renewable electricity tender is just the latest in a long list of climate initiatives by the Inner West:
• The first Council to be 100 percent divested from fossil fuels
• More than doubling rooftop solar capacity within 18 months helping to power pools, libraries, childcare centres, and offices.
• Retrofitting older residential street lighting with LED
• Assisting residents, businesses and schools to transition to solar through Council program and partnerships
For media enquiries, contact Elizabeth Heath, Media and Communications Coordinator, 9392 5334 or Elizabeth.Heath@innerwest.nsw.gov.au