Achievable carbon reduction strategies: the City of Salisbury experience

As a major procurer of goods and services the Local Government sector has the ability to significantly influence and implement sustainable carbon reduction strategies which can provide immediate and quantifiable benefits to both their communities and to Australiars contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The City of Salisbury (CoS) is located approximately 25km to the north east of Adelaide in SA with an estimated population of 130,000 people and encompassing an area of 161 km2. CoS recognises that achieving sustainability is non-negotiable and the key to a better future for its citizens. Sustainability and response to the issues of climate change should be an overriding strategy that impacts on all responsibilities and actions of Councils. This includes the way Councils manage the natural environment, waste, development and transport. This paper details the strategies jointly initiated by the City of Salisbury as a member of Adelaiders Council Solutions Procurement Group and Downer Australia to reduce carbon emissions. Quantified greenhouse gas emission reductions through the adoption and implementation of recycled asphalt in conjunction with a revolutionary asphalt production process, warm mix are presented. Perceived risks and barriers to implementation of low carbon initiatives now available to Local Government are also discussed.