Bundaberg Regional Council will continue to champion positive environmental outcomes as it collaborates with LGI Limited (LGI) to cut carbon emissions.
To date the partnership has enabled Council to reduce its carbon (CO2e) emissions by 625,000 tonnes, which is the equivalent of planting 10.4 million seedlings for the next decade or removing 19,535 cars off the road for a year.
The decade long partnership has already seen 65.8 million m3 of biogas captured at Council’s Cedars Road landfill and University Drive landfill, which collectively have generated more than 249,000 Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCU).
The collaboration between LGI and Council will now enter an expansive second decade following the new contract.
LGI recovers biogas from landfill, reduces methane emissions and helps progressive councils achieve ambitious emissions reductions targets. This form of abating harmful greenhouse gas emissions from landfills is measurable, immediate and irreversible.
LGI Chief Operating Officer Jarryd Doran said the expanded partnership with Bundaberg Regional Council would also explore the opportunity to deploy carbon abatement technology at council’s Qunaba Waste Management Facility.
“Bundaberg Regional Council’s carbon cutting approach of using proven, cost-effective technologies to capture and abate the harmful methane emissions from its landfills is an example of what progressive councils can achieve by prioritising the environment by reducing emissions,” Mr Doran said.
“Bundaberg Regional Council is a shining example of what can be achieved when local governments embrace green initiatives and implement environmentally responsible and sustainable practices.
“The partnership is at no cost to local ratepayers and also sees Bundaberg Regional Council receive a percentage of ACCU’s generated by the project.
“LGI will also be investigating opportunities to upgrade the biogas collection and flaring project at the Cedars Road landfill to produce reliable, dispatchable (24/7), renewable energy.
“Projects connected to the distribution network, where the local power demand is, can accelerate Queensland achieving its renewable targets, including 50 per cent renewable energy by 2030.”
Mr Doran said LGI’s carbon-cutting blueprint was becoming even more popular following the Australian Government’s recent commitment to cut emissions by 43% by 2030.
“Emissions from landfills without biogas management systems can be a significant problem and can contribute up to 80 per cent of a council’s carbon footprint,” Mr Doran said.
“It’s evident the leaders at Bundaberg Regional Council and the local community are serious about saving money while transitioning to a cleaner, greener future.”
Bundaberg Regional Council Waste and Recycling portfolio spokesperson Cr Tanya McLoughlin said Council first introduced gas flaring at its waste facilities in 2013.
“Council is continuing to champion positive environmental outcomes through best practice waste management, including the implementation of gas flaring among other ongoing initiatives,” Cr McLoughlin said.
“Gas flaring aligns with our strategic vision and commitment to work Towards Net Zero and is in line with the region’s recent accreditation as an ECO Certified Destination.
“Council is looking forward to continuing to develop our gas flaring capability and is investigating the viability of expanding the use of this gas flaring infrastructure to generate renewable energy into the future.”
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