Cardinia Shire Council makes TAKE2 pledge to create a greener future

Council has committed to playing its part in creating a cleaner, greener future for Cardinia and the state by joining the government’s TAKE2 climate change pledge initiative.

Delivered by Sustainability Victoria, TAKE2 provides free guidance and support for organisations and Victorian individuals willing to reduce the amount of climate change pollution they produce. The aim is to help Victoria reach net zero emissions by 2050.

Cardinia Shire Mayor Cr Brett Owen said Council was proud to be making the pledge, saying it is also an important step toward achieving Council’s own goals.

“The TAKE2 pledge continues our work in delivering environmentally sustainable programs and aligns with the work we are already doing under the Cardinia Shire Aspirational Energy Transition Plan.

“Our goal is to have zero net emissions for Council operations and to see a reduction of at least 36 per cent in community emissions on a per capita basis by 2024. This is something we’ve been committed to for a while now but joining pledgers across the state helps us to remain accountable,” Cr Brett Owen said.

Already Council has implemented various initiatives to reduce its emissions as part of the delivery of the plan, including:

• Environmental upgrades of Council facilities including Cardinia Shire's main aquatic centre Cardinia Life, the Cardinia Cultural Centre and the Beaconsfield Community Complex.
• The upgrade of decorative street lights with energy saving globes.
• The installation of 245kW of solar electricity systems comprising of over 940 solar panels at 14 sites.
• The incorporation of a high level of sustainable design in new Council facilities.

Sustainability Victoria CEO, Stan Krpan praised Cardinia Shire Council’s commitment to achieving net zero emissions from its operations by 2024.

“Cardinia’s done more than just commit to take action on climate change - it’s created a detailed plan on how to achieve that, which should give the local community confidence in reaching those climate change goals.”

Mr Krpan says Cardinia Shire residents are also making the TAKE2 pledge to fight climate change.

“Already, TAKE2 has received individual pledges from individuals in Gembrook, Beaconsfield, Pakenham, Cockatoo, Tynong, Longwarry and Nyora. I’d encourage all Cardinia Shire residents to join the thousands of Victorians who’ve already made the TAKE2 pledge to take action on climate change,” said Mr Krpan.

Cardinia Shire businesses, community groups, schools and early years centres are encouraged to make the TAKE2 pledge to help keep the temperature rise under two degrees.

To take the pledge and for more information, visit www.take2.vic.gov.au