Councillor Chris Harris

The technology now exists to allow us to massively cut our greenhouse gas emissions, as I hope has become apparent from my many previous posts on this topic.  Renewable and low emissions energy technology has advanced so much in the last few years that the barriers against their widespread uptake, and against the replacement of dirty and inefficient coal fired power, are no longer technological but political.

One only need look at the pathetic attempts by both the Labor and Liberal parties over recent months to pass off a 5% reduction in emissions as meaningful action on climate change to know that the political will is nowhere to be seen in the major parties.

It has therefore fallen upon individuals to take responsibility for this most pressing of issues and next week I will attempt to use my role as a councillor to make it easier for indivduals to markedly reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.

I will be moving a motion that Council call for expressions of interest from providers of low emissions power production systems, such as solar or trigeneration technology.  Council will assess the technologies on offer from the providers and promote those deemed most appropriate to the City’s rate base and possibly offer a rate rebate (at the provider’s expense) to residents who install the chosen systems.

It’s a win win situation.  Residents get cheaper access to low emissions technologies which have been assessed as being reliable by the City.  The provider gets significant promotion of their product for free, which will likely more than offset their losses from providing a rebate.  The City gets to reduce emissions produced within the Local Government Area which will help it reach it’s 2030 environmental performance targets and ultimately we all win through inhabiting a slightly cleaner, greener planet.

This motion will be going to Council on the 26th of July and I hope the other Councillors will be able to act where state and federal governments have failed and support this important endeavour. 

Update:  My motion was enthusiastically seconded by Lord Mayor Clover Moore and supported unanimously by the Council.