Australian Capital Territory launches 10‑year climate strategy

The ACT Government unveiled a 10‑year Climate Change Strategy (2026‑2036) that sets a target of net‑zero emissions by 2045. The plan covers eight focus areas – natural environment, buildings, transport, energy, waste and circular economy, hard‑to‑abate emissions, agriculture and government operations – and introduces actions to curb urban heat, improve flash‑flood resilience and embed climate‑risk management across government.

A key element is the Sustainable Apartments Program, which will help apartment and complex buildings switch off natural gas and transition to electricity. A pilot scheme that already assists owners will be made permanent, and the budget also funds walking and cycling infrastructure, electric‑vehicle chargers, a carbon‑offsets policy and local battery projects. Climate Change Minister Suzanne Orr emphasised the need for both government and citizens to act, while the Conservation Council ACT Region cautioned that the strategy lacks concrete investment to meet its ambitious goals.