HELPING to maintain the health of our environment and working towards ensuring that our precious resources are conserved for the future is a tall order – but that’s essentially the role of Senior Environment Officer Malcolm Robertson.
Coordinating Council’s involvement in the Cities for Climate Protection (CCP) Program is a large part of his role. CCP is a ground-breaking international campaign, delivered by ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability - that helps local governments and their communities reduce greenhouse gas emissions and their impact on the environment.
Coffs Harbour City Council is one of 230 local governments participating in CCP in Australia and joined the program in 2001. It has completed all five milestones in the program and is now undertaking advanced greenhouse reduction initiatives as part of CCP Plus.
“One of my main tasks is to work with the community to continue to make changes with regards to energy efficiencies and reducing greenhouse gas emissions,” says Malcolm.
“It’s recognised internationally that local action is the best way to tackle many of the environmental changes we face due to global warming – and each of us has an individual contribution to make in terms of changing the way we use our resources.”
Coffs Harbour City Council has already taken significant actions to reduce its greenhouse emissions. It was the first Council in Australia to install energy efficient street lighting across the whole of our local government area. In addition, the Council has introduced smaller engine, diesel, and ethanol fuel and hybrid cars to its vehicle fleet and electricity from renewable sources for its energy needs.
While the CCP Program is a large part of Malcolm’s role, he is also a member of the team of Council staff that works on environmental protection and pollution control. In addition, he oversees the implementation and monitoring of Council’s Onsite Sewerage Management Strategy and advises businesses on the regulations governing public health.
And if his day job wasn’t enough, he’s also just become a Dad for the first time with the recent arrival of baby Ruby.
Tips to reduce your greenhouse
gas emissions and save money
* Carpool – find out who at work lives near you and share petrol costs
* Walk, ride, or catch public transport instead of driving a car
* Drive a fuel-efficient car and keep your engine tuned
Insulate your roof and/or walls and floors. A well-insulated home is up to 10% warmer in winter and up to 7% cooler in summer
* For most Australian households, water heating consumes the largest amount of energy. Install a solar, gas, or heat pump water heater for the lowest greenhouse impact
* When buying new appliances, choose the most energy efficient
models
* Unplug appliances and electrical equipment not in use
* Reduce your hot water use by installing AAA-rated, low-flow showerheads and faucets
* Select the lamps and fittings in your home carefully to cut your energy costs for lighting by more than half – for example, fluorescent lighting is the most energy efficient.
* When you buy locally-grown or manufactured produce, you cut down on the greenhouse gas emissions associated with transporting goods over long distances