Climate Response

Climate change affects all of us, and we need to take action together to reduce our impact on the planet, and pave the way for a more sustainable future. Knox Council has taken significant steps to reduce our carbon footprint over the years. However, this alone isn’t enough – we also encourage residents and businesses to do the same by offering various programs to assist with waste reduction, improve energy efficiency, and transition to clean energy.

In 2001, we formally committed to reducing our greenhouse emissions by joining the international campaign – Cities for Climate Protection (CCP). Soon after, Knox Council adopted the Knox Greenhouse Action Plan 2003 – 2010, and achieved the set goal of reducing our corporate greenhouse emissions by 30% below 1998/99 levels in 2007.

In 2012, Council adopted the Climate Change Response Plan to continue our ongoing work in mitigating and adapting to Climate Change. The Plan focuses Council’s efforts in five action approaches, which include achieving greenhouse gas reduction goals, offsetting greenhouse gas emissions, adaptation to climate change, developing strategic partnerships, and improving air quality.

In late 2019, Council reaffirmed our commitment to Climate Change action and unanimously supported a motion to take urgent action by developing a Climate Response Plan in 2020.

Key measures carried out by Council include: