The Sustainability Snapshot Report is delivered annually and forms a benchmark for sustainability across the City. The latest report is the second of its kind and captures collective efforts from across the organisation reported under six key focus areas:
Water Waste Energy Health and nature conservation Environmental education and engagement Climate response.Highlights from the report include total energy use across all City facilities and operations dropping by 13 per cent compared to the previous year. This reduction is equal to the powering of more than 2,100 houses for one year.
Methane is produced when waste decomposes. At the City the methane that is produced at the Millar Road Landfill Facility is put to good use by converting it to electricity and then putting it back into the grid. In the past financial year more than 120,000 tonnes of methane was converted. This conversion generated more than 22,000 megawatts of electricity, which is enough to power nearly 4,000 homes for a year.
The City also aims to reduce the amount of waste going to landfill by increasing recycling. In the past year the City improved its recycling rate by 6 per cent, which means less waste is going to landfill and negatively impacting the environment.
Mayor Barry Sammels said the Sustainability Snapshot Report had an important role to play in helping the City maintain its strong environmental values.
"The City aspires to develop a strong community and recognises that a sustainable environment is fundamental to our prosperity, identity and lifestyle," Mayor Sammels said.
"While there are some excellent achievements outlined in the Sustainability Snapshot Report 2018, there are also some areas where we need to improve our environmental efforts.
"By working together closely with the community, we can continue our efforts to be more sustainable and ensure that the City preserves its reputation as the place where the coast comes to life."
The City is home to a diverse range of natural environments including 37 km of pristine coastline, 940 hectares of nature reserves, several conservation significant wetlands, nationally recognised ecological communities and the deepest freshwater lake on the Swan Coastal Plain (Lake Richmond).
View the full Sustainability Snapshot Report 2018.