Plan carbon-neutral targets, council told

CARBON-neutral targets should be built into a new Manningham Council climate and energy plan, two councillors say.

Councillors Charles Pick and Warren Welsh have called on Manningham to follow other councils' leads in developing plans with specific carbon-neutral targets.

Cr Pick said the council should aim to become "carbon neutral by 2020", as part of its proposed Climate Change and Energy action plan.

"As the tier of government closest to the community, we must be the
leaders in weaning ourselves off our carbon addiction," he said.

Neutralising carbon emissions in Manningham could cost hundreds of
thousands of dollars, with Yarra Ranges Council recently paying $790,000 up front to neutralise its carbon emissions.

But Cr Pick said Melbourne City Council had developed a plan to become a zero net emitter over time to spread costs, establishing initiatives such as hybrid-vehicle car fleets and energy-efficient street lighting.

Beyond Zero Emissions spokesman Matthew Wright said all councils could make a difference.

"If councils create an example from the bottom up the Federal Government may have to act," Mr Wright said.

"From a little action at Manningham it could potentially lead to a
global movement."

Manningham Mayor Ron Kitchingman said the council had made energy savings and would continue to review its emissions reduction target over the next 18 months.

"Through purchase of green electricity, council has already reduced
emissions to 33 per cent of 1996 emissions, largely by purchasing 100
per cent green electricity to power the municipality's street lighting,"
he said.