The big picture
In the 2015 Paris Agreement on Climate Change world leaders committed to limit carbon emissions in order to keep global warming below 2°C, and avoid catastrophic climate change. Achieving this global carbon budget will require governments and communities around the world to do their part, including Moreland. We have a target and strategy for the Moreland community to significantly reduce carbon emissions and meet our part of this global commitment.
Zero Carbon Evolution strategy
In 2014 MEFL collaborated with Moreland City Council to determine the target and develop the strategy to shift to a zero carbon future. Moreland’s Zero Carbon Evolution (ZCE) strategy indicates that to be doing our fair share, we need to reduce our carbon emissions by 22% (on 2011 levels) by 2020. It is an ambitious target, requiring action and investment from all sectors of the community. The five key strategies underpinning ZCE are:
– Generating local renewable energy
– Using energy efficiently
– Low-emissions transport
– Minimising the urban heat island effect
– Activating the community to reduce emissions.
MEFL’s role
MEFL is delivering this strategy in partnership with Council and are leading implementation of three aspects of the strategy – generating local renewable energy, using energy efficiently and activating the community. We are using our expertise and experience facilitating local community action to deliver this major step change in emission reduction. The Zero Carbon Evolution strategy is available for download here or from the Moreland City Council website.
Implementation
Successful implementation of the strategy requires significant collaboration, effort and investment from Moreland people, businesses, organisations and all levels of government.
Solar power in Moreland
In 2014-15 we focused on getting solar power systems onto Moreland roofs. Local generation of clean energy not only reduces carbon emissions but also reduces energy bills and reduces demand on the grid. The Moreland Solar Bulk-Buy (Round 1) ran from October 2014 to June 2015. Positive Charge undertook a tender process to select a supplier and a great value bulk-buy offering. We worked with Moreland City Council to promote the offer to residents. 180 households installed solar on their homes by the end of June 2015. This chart shows the total uptake of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems in Moreland in 2014-15, and the uptake directly through Positive Charge programs.
Chart summary
– Solar PV installed by Moreland households: 2, 421 kilowatts
– Solar PV installed by Moreland businesses: 141 kilowatts
– Solar PV installed on schools through Positive Charge: 70 kilowatts
– Total: 2,632 kilowatts in 654 installs
– 479 kilowatts of this was purchased directly through Positive Charge
– Private investment in solar through our Solar Bulk-Buy: $750,000
Schools: We implemented a Community Sustainability Infrastructure Grant from Sustainability Victoria to help four local schools install solar panels. The grant enabled a contribution of $10,000 to each school to kick-start solar installations. We assisted the schools to fundraise to (at least) match that amount.
Community Solar: We supported the establishment of the Moreland Community Solar co-operative, which registered in October 2014. The co-op will drive the installation of medium-scale community-owned solar PV systems in Moreland.
– More information: See our Annual Report 2014-15 for more information.
– Stay involved: For updates on special offers available through Zero Carbon Evolution, subscribe to the Positive Charge monthly eNews and watch this website for more news. For more information contact the MEFL office.