Casey towards net zero emissions

The City of Casey has committed to sourcing 100 per cent of the council’s electricity supply from renewable energy sources, as part of the Victorian Energy Collaboration (VECO).

VECO joins 51 other councils from 1 July 2025 and represents the largest local government sector emissions reduction project in Australia.

Casey’s chief executive Noelene Duff PSM said electricity use makes up about 73 per cent, or about 11,000 tonnes of CO2, of the council’s greenhouse gas emissions profile.

“The transition to renewable electricity will contribute significantly to achieving our 2030 net zero target for municipal operations, as set out in Casey’s Climate Action Plan 2022-2030,” she said.

VECO will also supply cost-effective renewable energy generated by Victorian wind farms for the council’s operations through a Renewable Energy Power Purchase Agreement (PPA).

“Access to VECO will help reduce the council’s total emissions by at least 60,000 tonnes of CO2 over the five-and-a-half year contract, putting the council in a strong position for the future,” Ms Duff said.

The Climate Action Plan, which was adopted in February 2022, maps out the council’s strategic direction towards achieving its net zero emissions targets, including the council tackling climate changes in a variety of ways.

One initiative is to replace about 8,152 decorative mercury vapor street lights in parks, open spaces and reserved for LEDs, another is to install solar PV and battery storage systems on municipal buildings.

The municipality also wants to tackle climate change by adding electric vehicles to its fleet, improving the energy and water efficiency of its buildings and infrastructure, transitioning gas-using buildings to fully electric buildings and ensuring that all new, renovated municipal buildings have a have environmentally sustainable sustainability. design.

In addition, the council is committed to supporting and empowering the local Casey community in a variety of ways to achieve its net zero emissions target by 2040.

These include access to Solar Savers, a local government initiative that aims to help residents and business owners reduce their energy bills and carbon footprint by installing solar energy.

Access to a $200 energy efficiency rebate for households to reduce energy costs and improve thermal comfort is also among the initiatives.

For more information, visit the council’s sustainability and climate change website at www.casey.vic.gov.au/sustainability-climate-change