Waverley Council will investigate declaring new targets for the reduction of carbon emissions by becoming net zero by 2030.
Last month Council voted unanimously to support a Mayoral Minute calling on Council to revise its current target of 2050 to achieve net zero carbon emissions.
Mayor of Waverley, Paula Masselos, said achieving net zero carbon emissions was a matter of urgency so that the planet can keep global temperatures below 2 degrees above pre-industrial levels as per Paris Agreement on climate change.
"Through the purchase of 100% renewable energy by 2030, which has already been endorsed by Council, the phasing out of gas and the rapid transition to electric vehicles powered by renewable energy, Waverley Council will be able to have net zero carbon emissions by 2030," Mayor Masselos said.
"Not keeping climate change within the 2-degree limit will have catastrophic consequences for Australia and our planet.
"Extreme bushfires will become increasingly frequent, prolonged dry periods will impact agriculture, flora and fauna and for our coastline. The impact of rising sea levels will change our beaches, coast and result in significant damage."
In 2019, Council declared a state of climate and biodiversity emergency acknowledging that urgent collaborative action at all levels of government is necessary to protect our environment and community for future generations.
"Council will also now investigate this new target becoming a key priority of Council's activities and incorporated into our draft 2021-22 Operational Plan, and that the next Environmental Action Plan and Long Term Financial Plan budgets are updated accordingly to achieve this," Mayor Masselos said.
A report will come back to Council soon about updated our carbon emissions targets.
