The Act and Adapt Sustainable Environment Strategy is a long-term sustainability and climate action program implemented by the City of Port Phillip. The strategy aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, strengthen climate adaptation, improve energy efficiency, promote renewable energy, and enhance environmental resilience. The program integrates climate mitigation and adaptation policies across urban planning, buildings, transport, waste management, and community engagement. Port Phillip serves as a leading local government example of climate-responsive urban governance and supports Australia’s national emissions reduction commitments.
Description of Town
Type of Town:
☐ Urban (Central Business District)
☒ Urban (Mainly consists of commercial area)
☒ Urban (Mainly consists of residential area)
☐ Village (village)
☐ Village (island)
☐ Others
Coverage rate of population with access to tap water: Approximately 100%
Coverage rate of population with access to gas: High but transitioning toward electrification and renewable energy use
Power plant capacity: Not applicable (electricity supplied through the regional energy grid)
Specific power plant type: Grid electricity with increasing renewable energy share
Number of public transportation vehicles per 10,000 population: High public transport availability including tram, bus, and rail networks
Popularization rate of telephone, including mobile telephone Over 100 sets per 100 persons
Per capita area of paved roads High urban infrastructure density
Per capita area of public green space Moderate, including coastal open spaces, parks, and urban green corridors
Climate conditions Temperate coastal climate with mild winters and warm summers
Expected Future Development
Expected demographic changes: Continued population growth and increased urban density, particularly in mixed-use residential and commercial areas.
Expected industrial/economic changes: Growth in green technology, renewable energy services, and sustainable urban development industries.
Other expected development: Expansion of low-carbon infrastructure, climate adaptation measures, coastal resilience planning, and circular economy initiatives.
Town Policy, Vision or Objective
What is the policy, vision, or objective of the town?
• The City of Port Phillip aims to achieve substantial greenhouse gas emission reductions and climate resilience through integrated sustainability planning. The strategy focuses on supporting community-wide decarbonization, transitioning to renewable energy, improving energy efficiency, and enhancing urban environmental quality.
Brief outline of the low carbon town development plan:
• The Act and Adapt Strategy integrates climate mitigation and adaptation through multiple focus areas including:
• Renewable energy transition
• Energy-efficient buildings and retrofits
• Sustainable transport and active mobility
• Waste reduction and circular economy programs
• Urban greening and coastal climate resilience
• Community engagement and behavioural change initiatives
The strategy promotes collaboration between government, industry, and residents to support low-carbon transformation.
Current stage of development of the town:
☐ Planning stage
☐ Construction stage
☒ Already existing
Start date of the project: 2015
Completion date of the project: 2028
Low Carbon Measures
Does your low carbon town or development plan have CO2 emission reduction target?:
☒ Yes
☐ No
Key low carbon measures employed or to be employed
Urban functions
☒ Compact city design
☒ Heat island phenomenon countermeasures
☐ Efficient road arrangement plan
☐ Well-developed public transportation
☐ Car Sharing
☐ Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS)
☒ Plan for highly efficient infrastructure
☐ Other
Industry sector
☐ Factory energy management system
☐ Other
Transport sector
☐ Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)
☐ Light Rail Transit (LRT)
☒ Intra-city community bicycle
☒ Electric vehicle
☐ Electric busses
☒ LED street lighting
☐ Other
Residential sector
☐ Fuel cells
☒ Low or zero emission houses
☐ Eco-friendly home appliances
☒ PV panel
☐ Solar heated water supply facilities
☐ Heat-pump hot water supply with natural refrigerant
☒ Use of natural light
☐ Low emission glass
☐ Home Energy Management System (HEMS)
☐ Thermal storage air conditioning system
☐ Other
Commercial sector
☒ Low or zero emission building
☒ High insulation/highly airtight materials
☐ Sun shading system
☐ High performance facade
☐ Low emission glass
☐ Double skin facade
☐ Roof greening
☐ Highly efficient air conditioning facilities
☒ LED/Inverter lighting
☐ Use of natural light
☒ Building Energy Management System (BEMS)
☐ Thermal storage air conditioning system
☐ Other
Other demand side measures:
Renewable energy
☒ PV power generation
☐ Solar thermal utilization
☐ Biomass power generation
☐ Wind power generation
☐ Geo-thermal power generation
☐ Micro-hydroelectric power generation
☐ Others
Untapped energy
☐ Use of sea/river water
☐ Use of waste heat such as waste incineration plants
☐ Use of waste heat such as sewage treatment plants
☐ Use of waste heat from factories
☐ Others
Other supply side measures:
Demand and supply side measures
☒ Advanced metering systems
☒ Smart grid system
☐ Electric condenser system
☒ Area Energy Management System
☐ Others
Estimated cost savings in implementing low-carbon measures: Break down by Activity/Sector, potential source, estimated savings – e.g.:
• Renewable energy adoption and energy-efficient building retrofits reduce energy consumption and operational costs for households, businesses, and municipal facilities. Sustainable transport initiatives reduce fuel costs and improve air quality.
Estimated energy consumption before completion of the project:
• Baseline energy consumption represents conventional urban energy use before large-scale sustainability programs were implemented.
Estimated energy consumption after completion of the project:
• Energy consumption and emissions are expected to decrease significantly through renewable energy expansion, building efficiency improvements, and low-carbon transport programs.
Project Management
What central/local government departments are/will be involved in development of the project?
• City of Port Phillip Council — planning, implementation, monitoring
• State Government of Victoria — regulatory support and funding coordination
• Australian Federal Government — national climate policy alignment and grants
What private company, non-governmental organizations are/will be involved in development of the project?
• Renewable energy developers and energy service providers — implementation
• Community sustainability groups — stakeholder engagement
• Private building developers and transport operators — project implementation
How is/will be the development of the town funded?
• Funding is supported through municipal budgets, state and federal sustainability grants, private sector investment, and community-based initiatives.
Additional Project Details
- The City of Port Phillip integrates climate mitigation and adaptation strategies, particularly coastal resilience measures, making it a comprehensive urban climate governance model.