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Gippsland Water unveils latest climate change strategy to reach ambitious net zero goals and address climate change effects

Gippsland Water's new Climate Change Strategy aims for net zero targets, emphasising renewable energy, infrastructure upgrades, and environmental stewardship. Acting MD Simon Aquilina highlights progress and future plans.

By news@gippsland - 12th April 2024 - Back to News

Gippsland Water has released its new Climate Change Strategy, detailing how it will achieve ambitious net zero targets and manage the impacts of climate change. Acting managing director Simon Aquilina said the organisation was taking a whole-of-business approach to managing the impacts of climate change, current and future generations.

Acting managing director Simon Aquilina in front of one of Gippsland Water's eight solar arrays

Climate resilience strategy

Mr Aquilina said, "As the climate changes, we will continue to be innovative in the way we think, plan and engineer. Our strategy focuses on areas including renewable energy investment, environmental stewardship and infrastructure upgrades to increase resilience. Upgrading our infrastructure is a major priority, starting with assets most at risk of being impacted by extreme weather events."

"Continuing to protect the plants and animals who rely on the waterways we manage and need a healthy environment to thrive is another. For example, we are actively involved in the protection of several vulnerable species, including the Pookila, Wellington Mint Bush and Filmy Maidenhair fern," he said.

Renewable energy milestones

Mr Aquilina said Gippsland Water had already made great progress in moving to renewable energy sources. "A significant amount of our power already comes from renewables and we are continuing to invest in new energy sources,"

"We have nearly 6,000 solar panels running across eight of our sites as well as biogas and hydroelectric generators. Between 2017 and 2022 we almost doubled our renewable energy production, and now we produce 5,451 megawatts in renewable energy each year."

"Using renewable energy sources also reduces our operating costs and puts downward pressure on customer bills. We've got a lot to do in the next six years, but if we continue along our current trajectory, I'm confident we'll hit our targets," Mr Aquilina said. For more information, visit Gippsland Water's Climate Change Strategy website.

Pictures from Gippsland Water website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com