Snapshot profiles have been developed in accordance with the Greenhouse gas Global Protocol for Community-Scale Greenhouse Gas Emission Inventories (GPC). The GPC Protocol is designed to promote best practice greenhouse gas accounting and reporting.
The full method including the data sources used in this tool is updated annually. The methodology will be continue to be enhanced as improved data sources become available.
The Global Covenant of Mayors provides guidelines on how to produce and use a GPC profile through its Common Reporting Framework.
Our 2024 update uses Snapshot as a springboard for discussing the role of local government in Australia’s Net Zero Plan with guest speakers, the Honourable Matt Kean – Independent Chair of the Climate Change Authority (CCA) and Cr Anna Reynolds, the Lord Mayor of Hobart.
Snapshot 2024 Update: What is the role of local government in Australia's Net Zero Plan?
Our 2023 updates were as big as they get! Check out the webinar embedded below to get all the latest from the Snapshot team on new insights to help determine the most effective zero emissions actions for your local area.
Big Snapshot 2023 Webinar Update: New Data Sources, Fugitive Emissions Feature and More!
Our October 2022 webinar launches a major update to Snapshot, which includes new features to improve data accuracy, depict emissions profiles in timeseries and provide detailed subsector data for the first time. This update also sees Snapshot provide all Australian councils with complete Basic+ profiles with the inclusion of emissions from Industrial Processes and Product Use. In this webinar we explain how to get the most out of the new features and how the newly available Snapshot data can be used to drive action in the local government sector. The webinar also includes a special address by The Hon Lily D’Ambrosio, Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Action, and Solar Homes.
Biggest Snapshot Update Ever! October 2022 Webinar
Our webinar in December 2021 provides a new year of data and also outlines improvements in commercial, industrial and agriculture emissions and what is means for councils. We introduce Snapshots for every Federal Electorate in Australia as well as state and territory profiles. We also explain some handy new social media functionality. Watch the webinar and then download the slide deck here.
2021 Snapshot Update: New Data, New Reporting Periods and Federal Electorate Profiles
Our September 2020 webinar marked the incorporation of Google EIE data into Snapshot, and we provided international case studies and early Australian council experiences with EIE. We looked at how Snapshot could be used for reporting council emissions and heard from special guests from Google, Beyond Zero Emissions, Innovate4Cities, GCoM and Ironbark. Once you watched the webinar you can also download the webinar pack from here.
Big Snapshot Update and Webinar: New Data, Upcoming Google Data Integration & GCoM Reporting Breakthrough
Our November 2019 webinar outlines how councils and communities around Australia can use Snapshot to drive action. With special presentations and updates from BZE, Cities Power Partnership, ICLEI Oceania and Ironbark, we explain how Snapshot works; how to get the best out of it for your council or community; how to turn community emissions profiles into action; and looked to the future of Snapshot and emissions profiles with input and questions from attendees. The Q&A session from this webinar has been collated into a handy report which you can download here.
Snapshot: How Councils and Communities Around Australia Can Use Snapshot to Drive Action
You can also check out these other critical resources and background information on what how Snapshot fits into the wider climate action movement within Australia:
Australian Local Government Climate Review 2024 The most comprehensive assessment of what councils and communities are doing to tackle climate change, along with the barriers and challenges they face. The review includes recommendations and case studies for government, councils and communities.
Australian Councils and Climate Action Acronym Buster and Cheat-Sheet If you’re suffering from a severe case of TMA* over the CCR, CPP, CCP and CDP and responding with a healthy dose of “WTF?” then this cheat-sheet has been developed to provide a list of the most commonly used local government and climate programs, networks, standards, and registers. Download the 2022 version of the Great Acronym Buster: COP, CPP, BFA, RTZ, GCoM, ICLEI, CAD, RAD, CDP, WFT? here. (* Too Many Acronyms).
State of play: Local governments and city networks accelerating climate action in Australia Cities and towns are the secret weapon in meeting Australia’s emissions reduction targets. This report outlines how local government net zero targets from just 60 of Australia’s 537 councils would reduce emissions by 88 million tonnes of CO2e. The report outlines the top emissions-busting projects and cites existing council initiatives such as solar farms in the Sunshine Coast and Newcastle NSW, the Victorian Energy Collaboration, WA’s Renewables Powerhouse and Hobart’s Cutting Waste Emissions.
The Better Futures Australia initiative is part of a global action supported by Climate Action Network Australia. BFA are building local cross-sectoral networks, showcasing individual and collaborative climate action, and inviting all Australians to join a growing community of climate champions in advocating for a national response that will reach zero emissions by 2050 or sooner.
The GCoM is an international program that supports councils in tracking progress and provides comprehensive guidance on reporting, mitigation, and adaptation. Participating councils benefit from the knowledge of the international community and the global recognition program.
ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability (ICLEI Oceania) supports local governments across Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific to accelerate climate action and sustainable urban development. ICLEI is the one global organisation which can connect, support, and enhance the capacities of local governments everywhere to maintain and intensify their sustainability efforts.
Climate Emergency Australia is a network of Australian councils that have declared a climate emergency. More than 100 councils around Australia have organised around the current climate emergency. Together, this represents more than 11.49 million Australians calling for a rapid shift to a more resilient, zero-carbon society. Climate Emergency Australia advocates on behalf of members and builds the capacity of Australian councils to govern in a climate emergency.
As councils move towards working on community-wide emissions reduction, it is critical that they have in-depth, reliable and easily accessible data upon which to plan programs and collaborations. The Key Emitters Profile is the first in a suite of new tools the Snapshot team are developing for Snapshot Pro. The Key Emitters Profile aims to provide governments, businesses and community groups with dynamic, easy-to-understand information about the most significant carbon emitters within their area.
Snapshot profiles are intended to inform community climate action decision making and strategy. Here are some examples of how councils have utilised Snapshot data for community action planning.
Wingecarribee Shire Council (NSW): Community Emissions Action Plan
Hobart City Council (TAS): Climate Ready Hobart Strategy
Google EIE is a freely available data and insights tool that uses exclusive data sources and modeling capabilities to help cities and regions measure emissions sources, run analyses, and identify strategies to reduce emissions — creating a foundation for effective action. Data sets include transport emissions, building emissions, tree canopy, and solar capacity. For more in-depth Transport insights there is also the Google EIE Transport Dashboard (contact Ironbark for more information)
This webinar series provides a detailed background to community emissions profiles, the challenges of data accuracy and how profiles can be used.
This program has a range of online resources include reports, training materials and case studies on how regions can work together.
A set of reports detailing best practice actions to take emissions to zero across all sectors. All solutions are recommended based on their readiness to be adopted immediately.
The ANU 100% Renewable Energy group conducts research in the deployment and integration of renewable energy, working towards carbon-neutrality throughout Australia’s economy.
The Climateworks Centre bridges the gap between research and climate action. Search their numerous sector-based reports on pathways to decarbonisation by 2050.
A list of “no regrets” solutions—actions that make sense to take regardless of their climate impact since they have intrinsic benefits to communities and economies.
Use of this website governed by the terms of use set out in our Privacy Statement.