We are building a circular, resilient and sustainable Council to meet the community’s expectation for the highest standards of environmental performance and stewardship.
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Environmental targets
The Waverley community is passionate about the environment and sustainability. The fifth Environmental Action Plan has ambitious goals, strengthened long-term targets and actions to ensure an ongoing positive impact on our local environment, people and the planet.
The environmental goals in the Environmental Action Plan have been informed by the community, the Climate and Biodiversity Emergency, circular economy principles and a long-standing commitment to embed environmental sustainability in Council’s operations and outcomes. Targets have been informed by science and best practice, while being developed in collaboration with our community.
The goals laid out in the Environmental Action Plan are:
- Net Zero Council emissions by 2030
- Net Zero community emissions by 2035
- 100% renewable energy
- 0% increase in Council water use
- 0% increase in community water use by 2030
- Pollution in waterways is minimised by 2030
- Good or better Beachwatch ratings for all beaches
- Increase low emission transport choices
- 80% recovery rate from all waste streams by 2030 from 2017/18 levels
- 50% reduction in organic waste sent to landfill by 2030 from 2017/18 levels
- 60% reduction in litter by 2030 from 2009 levels
- 0% loss of native vegetation from 2022 onwards
- 20% of remnant vegetation is in good condition by 2030
- 29% green cover (canopy and shrub) by 2030
- 1000 habitat gardens established by 2030
- Improve Council’s sustainability performance
- Enhance Waverley’s climate resilience
The Environmental Action Plan is structured around meeting ambitious environmental targets – explore each of these below.
Council is supporting our community to better manage and conserve water through education, planning controls and programs, while working with key stakeholders to deliver effective coastal management measures.
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Waverley is striving to achieve Net Zero community emissions by 2035, and is providing infrastructure, education, financing support and leadership to improve our climate resilience.
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Waverley is embracing waste management that embeds circular economy principles, while providing targeted education, infrastructure and enforcement to ensure that our neighbourhoods stay clean for everyone to enjoy.
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Through active management of remnant vegetation and extensive ecological restoration programs, valuable habitat for native animals is protected, and coastal and marine ecosystems is supported.
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To see a roadmap for how residents and Council staff are being engaged and included in the delivery of the Environmental Action Plan, view the Sustainable Communities Framework 2021.
Council offers grants to support environmental improvement projects and initiatives in Waverley that contribute to the Environmental Action Plan’s target areas. Find out more about Environmental Grants here.