2026 Reports

Towards Net-Zero Emissions in the Planned Garden City of Canberra, Australian Capital Territory

Black, J.

Canberra’s electricity grid is powered entirely from renewable energy sources, and so the target of net-zero emissions from the transport sector by 2035 is to be met primarily through technological advanced in the automobile industry. The leasehold land tenure system in the Australian Capital Territory (the jurisdiction of 2,358 km² where Canberra is located) has allowed the planners to equitably distribute land uses because land is in government ownership and sites for residential and commercial activities, for example, are leased from the ACT government on long-term leases (99-years for residential developments). Policies to achieve the aim of net-zero emissions from transport are evaluated based on a review of 35 ACT government reports, and on data extracted from Census of Population and Housing. Despite the planned co-location of homes and workplaces, behavioural responses by residents has resulted in relatively long journey distances. Investment in cycle paths and public transport has not led to mode switch away from the private car. Despite a current low uptake of the vehicle fleet being electric, the ACT government aims, through regulation and subsidies is to have motor vehicles, government buses, trams, taxis, light commercial vehicles and personal mobility devices powered by electricity or hydrogen.