Brighton Council is proud to be a finalist in the Cities Power Partnership’s fifth annual National Climate Awards, which recognises the work of local governments paving the way to a zero-carbon future.

Brighton Council has been nominated for multiple climate change action projects at the Cities Power Protection Awards in 2023, and is a finalist in two award categories:

• Battler Award recognising smaller, more rural climate action, for the Reduced Emissions from Upgraded Waste Infrastructure project, and

• Community Choice Award for the school wastewise and climate action program.

Mayor Leigh Gray said he was delighted to hear the announcement. “Our climate action and sustain-ability work across Council and the community is gaining momentum. Driving down waste emissions is contributing significantly to reducing our climate impact.” Brighton Council achieved a 70% reduction in the corporate emissions footprint following the change to a renewable electricity generation landfill and with the introduction of a Food Organics and Garden Organics (FOGO) service, reducing organic matter to landfill.

Back in 2021, Brighton Council switched their landfills to Copping, where methane gas emissions are largely captured and burnt for renewable electricity generation. The new Food Organic and Garden Organic (FOGO) service was launched in the same year, diverting 1,317 tonnes of organic matter away from landfill, also reducing the source emissions from rotting organic matter.

“Brighton Council now aims for an 85% interim reduction by 2030 on the pathway to zero emissions by 2035, after exceeding our existing interim target ahead of time. We also endorsed a revised Climate Change and Resilience Strategy, with over 55 actions to guide and measure our progress,” Mayor Gray said. And looking to the future, “the Sustainability program in local schools has been a fabulous platform for highlighting the next generation of climate change champions,” he shared.

Finalists were selected from entries submitted by diverse communities from rural townships through to capital cities across seven award categories including renewable energy, energy efficiency, collaboration, and innovation. Dr Portia Odell, Director of the Cities Power Partnership, congratulated Brighton Council for making the final shortlist for the awards, saying this year’s entries reflect a new level of climate action and ambition amongst local governments.