Local government greenhouse gas abatement reporting

Graham, Kim (2011) Local government greenhouse gas abatement reporting. [USQ Project]

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Abstract

This research project investigates current and previous local government greenhouse gas emission reporting
frameworks both internationally and within Australia. In addition a comparison of the affordability of
reporting for three case study Councils of varying sizes is discussed.

The debate within the scientific community has shifted from the existence of anthropogenic climate change to the ways in which society can reduce the causes and adapt to the impacts of climatic changes. Local Government in Australia are at the forefront of mitigating and adapting to climate change and as a result requires sound data for decision making.

The aim of this research project is to investigate the possible features of establishing a national reporting
system of local government greenhouse gas abatement for Australia and determine the affordability of reporting such abatement actions. This will include clarifying the point at which reporting becomes financially viable for a local government.

The key objectives of this research project are to:
• Research national reporting systems in operation internationally and any current and previous
systems in Australia.
• Critically evaluate the features of existing reporting systems and determine key reporting metrics.
• Identify the minimum reporting standards necessary to comply with Australian reporting legislation.
• Research existing literature with regards to local government information sharing.
• Undertake three case studies of local governments and quantify potential costs of reporting for local
government (both voluntary and compulsory).
• Identify possible support mechanisms to minimize the cost of reporting for local governments from
both government and non government sources.

This critical analysis of reporting requirements for Local Government will help to show that any future national reporting system of greenhouse gas abatement activities will need to strike a balance. The balance will be between the following:
• The value of information shared between local governments,
• The value of information collated and provided to federal policy makers , and
• The affordability to conduct such reporting.

As a result of this research, best practice criteria for local government abatement reporting has been developed and is recommended. This report also details the research undertaken to estimate the costs for Local Government to report greenhouse gas abatement actions.

Statistics for this ePrint Item

Item Type:	USQ Project
Refereed:	No
Item Status:	Live Archive
Faculty/School / Institute/Centre:	Historic - Faculty of Engineering and Surveying - Department of Agricultural, Civil and Environmental Engineering (Up to 30 Jun 2013)
Date Deposited:	17 Sep 2012 02:38
Last Modified:	03 Jul 2013 01:29
Uncontrolled Keywords:	greenhouse gas emission, local government, greenhouse gas abatement
Fields of Research (2008):	09 Engineering > 0907 Environmental Engineering > 090703 Environmental Technologies
Fields of Research (2020):	40 ENGINEERING > 4011 Environmental engineering > 401102 Environmentally sustainable engineering
URI:	https://sear.unisq.edu.au/id/eprint/21945

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