It is now certain that global climate change is happening. What is less certain is how climate change impacts at a local level.

To help manage this uncertainty we have prepared a Climate Change Strategy. The Climate Change Strategy 2008–2013, an initiative of the Community Plan 2028, details what we will do to adapt to climate change and the priorities for further reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Energy Futures is a strategy that focuses on ensuring energy security for our city. Just as our need for water security has led us to manage our water more sustainably, energy security and the emerging carbon market now require us to be proactive in defining our roles in the energy market

The Community Owned Renewable Energy (CORE) project seeks to support the uptake of renewable energy by the community within the City of Onkaparinga. Having researched a range of different technologies at different scales, as well as governance, financial, technical and regulatory factors, three projects have been identified, household PV systems, mini sun farms and a community energy precinct.

The Green Buildings Initiative is an ongoing program to ‘Green’ Council buildings. The program will reduce energy and water use, waste and greenhouse gas emissions from all council owned buildings. It is funded through our Climate Change Response Fund and is an integral part of Council’s Carbon Neutral by 2013 commitment. The program includes a major review of environmental performance as well as capital works projects, policy and procedures.

Futurtec is a concept identified as a foundation project within our Climate Change Strategy and proposes a new industrial land development project to accommodate the next generation of low-carbon industries and develop a renewable energy precinct and brand southern Adelaide as the new destination for investment in this sector. The Renewable Energy Precinct (REP) will be a catalyst for the development of Futurtec. Located on Council owned land (20 hectares) on the twenty eight hectare Futurtec site in Lonsdale, REP will see the establishment of on site generation of renewable energy with an initial focus on solar and biomass (methane extraction) technologies.