The momentum for Australia to reduce carbon emissions from residential buildings is growing stronger, with the nation’s largest city councils pledging to phase out gas stoves.
The City of Sydney and the City of Melbourne have joined the Global Cooksafe Coalition, which is seen as a prelude to banning gas stoves following similar moves by the ACT and Victorian governments.
Both cities have agreed no new council buildings will feature a gas stove, and they will both push towards electrification.
A program called Retrofit Melbourne has been launched by its city council to ensure all its energy is powered by renewables by 2040.
Sydney City Council has committed to zero emissions by 2035, and it’s also looking at planning controls to ensure kitchens in new residential and commercial developments run only on renewable energy.
In an unrelated development, the Federal Government and CSIRO are working on an initiative to enable banks and insurance companies to measure each home’s carbon footprint as part of the nation’s commitment to be carbon-neutral by 2050.
The initiative could affect the valuations of homes and their associated insurance premiums.
These six projects will help make your home more environmentally friendly.
Hot topic
Installing solar panels is a big-ticket initiative but will dramatically cut bills and deliver a return over four to seven years, depending on your utility bills and investment. Solar panels for a four-person household can range from $9,000 to $16,000.
Seal the deal
Insulation is critical in reducing heating and cooling costs. Seal the cracks around doors and windows and investigate the state of the roof insulation, which can degrade after 10-plus years.
Water-wise
You can purchase low-flow fixtures in bathrooms and kitchens. The prices at major retailers make it an investment worth considering.
Green gardener
Plant natives as they require less water. You should also consider organic practices to avoid using manufactured chemicals and pesticides.
Compost corner
Find a corner of your garden to install a compost bin. You will significantly reduce your contribution to landfill by placing all your vegetable food scraps in a compost bin.
Tanks a lot
You can install rainwater tanks underneath your home or down one side to collect rainwater to use in gardens and for chores such as washing cars.