What the ACT Government is doing
We’re taking actions to both reduce emissions and adapt to climate change. The ACT is a global leader in climate action, having already reached a target for 100% renewable electricity in the ACT. We are working to further our climate actions through a range of policies and programs.
What we are doing
We're a global leader in climate action. You can see this strong commitment to addressing climate change through our variety of policies and strategies.
ACT Climate Change Strategy 2026–2036 outlines the steps we are taking to meet our emissions reduction targets and build resilience to climate change impacts. The Strategy is driven by three fundamental goals in order to meet our emissions reduction targets, prepare for a climate-resilient Canberra and lay foundations for a climate-positive city.
Our goals are:
- Mitigation: The ACT is accelerating emissions reduction efforts and is on track to meet net zero by 2045. We’re building a net zero economy that supports everyone to participate in and benefit from the transition.
- Adaptation: The ACT is prepared for the impact of a changing climate. We’re driving climate adaptation action across our community to protect people, mitigate urban heat, deliver more liveable neighbourhoods and support our nature environment.
- Restore and support nature: Through a landscape-scale approach, the ACT is strengthening resilient, connected ecosystems and reducing pressures that limit adaptive capacity. Healthy forests, grasslands and waterways help store carbon, support local plants and animals, and make our city more resilient to heatwaves, bushfires and flooding.
Want to know more? Read about the ACT Climate Change Strategy 2026–2036.
Energy from renewable sources
Since 2020, 100% of electricity in the ACT has come from renewable sources. The ACT will maintain this from now on.
The other major source of energy in the ACT is fossil fuel gas which makes up about 18% of the ACT’s emissions. We are electrifying our city and aiming to complete a transition away from gas by 2045.
Find out more about our commitment to clean energy.
Find out more about switching from gas.
Find out more about Our Pathway to Electrification.
Sustainable transport in the ACT
Transport accounts for 61% of annual ACT emissions. This means small changes in the way we move around can make a big difference to our carbon emissions.
To reduce emissions from transport, we’re working to ensure Canberrans have access to multiple sustainable options to move about our city including supporting zero emission vehicle uptake and increase mode shift towards public and active travel.
Work to support the move to Sustainable transport is outlined in the ACT Climate Change Strategy 2026-36, ACT Transport Strategy 2020 and Active Travel Plan 2024-30.
Find out more about our work on sustainable transport.
Leading the way
To lead our community, we're aiming for net zero emissions from ACT Government operations by 2040. The Zero Emissions Government Framework sets actions such as:
- making government buildings and facilities all-electric and climate-wise
- transitioning our car and bus fleets to zero emissions vehicles
- co-locating government staff in centralised offices and supporting flexible work arrangements.
Interest free loans are available to government agencies through the Zero Emissions Government Fund, which are paid back through energy savings at no net cost to agencies.
The Climate Change Strategy also sets a pathway forward to improve the resilience of ACT Government buildings, infrastructure, and services and embed climate considerations in Government decision making.
Find out more about how the ACT Government is working towards net zero emissions.
Review in ACT Government Climate Action
In 2025 the ACT Government released an independent review of ACT Government action on climate change, alongside a government response.
This review fulfills the requirements of the Climate Change and Greenhouse Gas Reduction Act 2010, which mandates an independent review of ACT Government climate actions every 5 years.
Measuring our success
Find more details in the Minister’s Annual Reports under the Climate Change and Greenhouse Gas Reduction Act 2010.
Information on how emissions reductions are tracking for all of the ACT can be found in our yearly Inventory Reports.
Acknowledgement of Country
We acknowledge the Ngunnawal people as traditional custodians of the ACT and recognise any other people or families with connection to the lands of the ACT and region. We acknowledge and respect their continuing culture and the contribution they make to the life of this city and this region.