ACT launches new Climate Change Strategy to drive action through to 2036

The ACT Government has launched a new Climate Change Strategy, setting the direction for climate action over the next decade and reaffirming its commitment to reaching net zero emissions by 2045.

The strategy provides a long-term Overarching Framework [[PDF 13.0 MB]] to guide climate action to 2036, with a focus on reducing emissions, strengthening resilience to climate impacts and creating a climate-resilient, nature-positive Canberra.

Action under the Strategy will be delivered across eight key areas: the natural environment, built environment, transport, energy, circular economy and waste, hard-to-abate emissions, agriculture, and government leadership.

Supporting the Strategy is Action Plan 1 [PDF 13.7 MB], the first in a series of shorter-term plans that will help turn the Strategy into action. Action Plan 1 includes measures to accelerate emissions reductions, prepare for climate risks and deliver practical benefits for Canberrans.

Some of the key actions under Action Plan 1 include investigating options to reduce urban heat, supporting active travel such as walking and cycling, better understanding local community needs to foster climate action, developing a carbon offsets policy, and reducing emissions from government operations.

The Strategy also recognises the impacts of climate change already being experienced across Canberra and the surrounding region, including more frequent and intense heatwaves, bushfires and floods. Alongside reducing emissions, it aims to strengthen the resilience of communities, infrastructure, services and the natural environment.

More than $10 million has been committed in the 2026–27 ACT Budget to support the initial rollout of the strategy and deliver the first phase of actions.

Community and stakeholder consultation was undertaken to help guide the development of the Strategy in late 2025 and early 2026. More information on the consultation and what was heard from the community can be found on the YourSay Conversations website.

The Climate Change Strategy Framework, Action Plan 1 and Summary document are available at climatechoices.act.gov.au.