Merri-bek’s commitment to net zero
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Merri-bek City Council has a long history of leadership in environmental initiatives, including local action on climate change. We continue to take urgent action to respond to the climate emergency.
In 2008, Council set its ambition to become carbon neutral by 2012. Council’s goal is to do this through direct action and implementation of energy efficiency and renewable energy initiatives, with carbon offsets utilised to offset residual emissions.
Council was certified as carbon neutral in 2012 under the Federal Government’s Climate Active Program (previously National Carbon Offset Scheme (NCOS)). Merri-bek was the third Local Government Area (LGA) in Australia and the second in Victoria to be certified carbon neutral.
Under the Climate Active Standard, to be certified as carbon neutral, organisations must measure their greenhouse gas emissions, reduce these where possible, purchase carbon offsets to cover any remaining emissions, and produce a publicly available report on their emissions trajectory.
Council is committed to ongoing direct action to reduce Merri-bek City Council’s operational emissions.
In 2021 Council updated its targets to be more ambitious for both the community and council operations, reflecting the urgent need for action. Our target is an 80-100% reduction by 2030, precluding offsets. The updated targets are outlined in the Merri-bek Zero Carbon – 2040 Framework (PDF 987Kb) and the Zero Carbon Merri-bek website. Merri-bek City Council is determined to reach its carbon targets, with transparency in the way we work towards it.
Council has achieved significant reductions to its operational emissions through establishing a large-scale renewable wind energy Power Purchasing Agreement with 14 other institutional, and local government organisations, upgrading fleet to electric vehicles, electrification of heating and hot water (including at our aquatic centres), street lighting upgrades, and energy efficiency upgrades. Through this investment, Council has reduced our operational emissions by 63 per cent since 2011-12.
The remaining initiatives to reduce Council’s remaining emissions are in train, but will take longer as they are more difficult and expensive than those already delivered.
At its July 2025 Council Meeting (PDF 88Kb), Council decided to pause the purchase of offsets for a period of up to 12 months. The funds budgeted to purchase these offsets will be diverted to explore alternative options for verified Australia-based local offset projects. We will continue working with neighbouring councils and the Northern Alliance for Greenhouse Action in pursuit of this goal. At this stage the feasibility and timescale of developing Australia-based carbon offset projects has not been confirmed.
This decision does not affect Council’s determination to meet our carbon target. For example, in 2026, we plan to bring Oak Park Sports and Aquatic Centre off gas, and to install electrical kiosks at our Depot to support charging additional electrical vehicles.
Council will continue reporting carbon emissions in a transparent and verified manner, as expected by our community.
*News image is of the roof of the Fawkner Leisure Centre covered in solar panels.