Released 23/09/2025 - Joint media release
The Government is continuing to progress practical and proven emissions reduction and climate adaptation policies as a part of our commitment to achieve net zero emissions by 2045.
The Territory Government will also continue working with the Commonwealth Government, and other states and territories as we progress to Australia’s 2035 and 2045 emission reduction targets.
The 2025-26 ACT Budget invests a significant $238 million for our environment, sustainable development and climate change initiatives, an increase of $9 million from last year’s budget.
This includes $10.8 million to ensure the Government continues to meet its mitigation and adaptation commitments, including support for the ACT Climate Change Council and development of the next Climate Change Strategy, which is currently underway.
The Government is also continuing to deliver on its commitments to:
- Securing Canberra’s energy supply – through the Big Canberra Battery project, which includes the installation of a large-scale battery energy storage system in Williamsdale and installation of behind-the-meter batteries at multiple government sites.
- 100% renewable energy – which we have delivered since 2020.
- A zero-emission public transport system by 2040 – linking light rail, active travel and our bus network to reduce congestion and enhance our city.
- Reducing waste going to landfill – investing in a new recycling facility and focussing on changes that can achieve the greatest benefit in terms of recycling and increasing resource recovery.
- Establishing the Office of the Landscape Architect – appointing a Government Landscape Architect to lead the development of the ACT’s first Landscape Plan.
All of this is part of a cohesive way forward to respond and adapt to climate change, achieve our target of net zero emissions by 2045, and to support maintaining a healthy environment.
Quotes attributable to ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr:
“The ACT has been a national leader on climate change policy and legislation.
We will continue this leadership, working closely with the Commonwealth and other states and territories, to implement practical, community-driven policies that support our transition to a low-emissions future."
Quotes attributable to Minister for Climate Change, Environment, Energy and Water Suzanne Orr:
“When I took on this portfolio, I was advised there was a risk we would not reach our 2025 greenhouse gas reduction target and if we stayed on our current trajectory, we would not reach net zero by 2045.
In light of this advice, and as we develop a new Climate Change Strategy, we are looking at what we’ve been doing to reduce emissions, identifying what we need to do next, imagining new initiatives, and reconsidering things we might have written off as too difficult.
I look forward to releasing the first steps for this new strategy before the end of the year and having further conversations with stakeholders and the community as we continue to develop our new strategy.
Involving the community and industry must be at the centre of our climate and environment efforts, as is providing practical advice and information to support all Canberrans and businesses to live and work more sustainability.”
- Statement ends -
Andrew Barr, MLA | Suzanne Orr, MLA | Media Releases