Resources & further reading

About the numbers

GPC protocol

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.

Detailed Methodology

The full method including the data sources behind the numbers in this tool can be downloaded here. This methodology will be continue to be enhanced as improved data sources become available.

Global Covenant of Mayors (GCOM)

The Global Covenant of Mayors provides guidelines on how to produce and use a GPC profile through its Common Reporting Framework.

Snapshot Webinar Series

“Biggest Snapshot Update Ever! October 2022 Webinar”

Our October 2022 webinar launches a major update to Snapshotwhich 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

“2021 Snapshot Update: New Data, New Reporting Periods and Federal Electorate Profiles”

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

“Big Snapshot Update and Webinar: New Data, Upcoming Google Data Integration & GCoM Reporting Breakthrough”

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

“Snapshot: How Councils and Communities Around Australia Can Use Snapshot to Drive Action”

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

Further reading

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 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.

Australian Local Government Climate Review 2021 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.

Programs that support your team

For everyone

  • Better Futures Australia

    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.

    Visit BFA
  • Zero Carbon Communities

    For any community where people, businesses, clubs, groups and councils are taking action to reduce carbon emissions. By signing up you get access to shared resources, volunteer based support programs and co-ordination with Council programs.

    Visit ZCC

For Councils

  • Global Covenant of Mayors

    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.

    Visit the GCOM
  • Cities Power Partnership

    The Cities Power Partnership is Australia’s largest local government climate alliance with over one hundred councils committing to tackle climate change together. Through this program, council’s make five climate pledges. Councils are armed with access to a knowledge hub, online forum, emissions reporting tool and events to help them achieve their climate projects.

    Visit CPP
  • ICLEI Oceania

    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

    Visit ICLEI Oceania
  • Climate Emergency Australia

    Climate Emergency Australia is a network of Australian councils that have declared a climate emergency. 104 local governments around Australia have organised around the current climate emergency. Together, this represents more than 9.9 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.

    Visit CEA

Next Steps

  • Evidence-Based Action Planning

    Learn from the evidence: in this webinar held by Ironbark we walk you through our process for identifying how councils can maximise their effectiveness in reducing emissions and achieve the greatest level of abatement per dollar spent.

    Visit
  • Measuring Melbourne's Emissions: Local Government Climate Change Professional Development Program

    This program has a range of online resources include reports, training materials and case studies on how regions can work together.

    Visit
  • Sustainability Victoria Local Government Energy Saver Webinars: Greenhouse Accounting, Data, Targets and more

    This webinar series provides a detailed background to community emissions profiles, the challenges of data accuracy and how profiles can be used.

    Visit
  • Beyond Zero Emissions

    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.

    Visit
  • ANU Renewable Energy

    The ANU 100% Renewable Energy group conducts research in the deployment and integration of renewable energy, working towards carbon-neutrality throughout Australia’s economy.

    Visit
  • Pathways to Deep Decarbonisation

    The Climateworks Centre bridges the gap between research and climate action. Search their numerous sector-based reports on pathways to decarbonisation by 2050.

    Visit
  • Drawdown Solutions

    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.

    Visit
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