City charged up to make the switch towards net zero

More than 1,500 Novocastrians have plugged into the Hunter's renewable energy future after being given front-row access by City of Newcastle to key thinkers, stakeholders and decision-makers.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes and NSW Environment Minister Penny Sharpe at City Hall for the Empowering Newcastle series

The three-part Empowering Newcastle event series, which wrapped up on Saturday with a keynote address by NSW Climate Change and Environment Minister Penny Sharpe, has been a lightning rod for ideas and dialogue about renewables, electrification and the road to net zero.

Earlier events included an Electrify Everything presentation by world renowned entrepreneur Saul Griffith and a stakeholder roundtable discussing a transition to electric vehicles and low emissions transport in Newcastle.  

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the series has been a hit with Novocastrians seeking to take an active part in a more sustainable future for their city.

"There's been a buzz around Empowering Newcastle from the opening event with Dr Griffth. It was fantastic to be in a room engaging in practical electrification solutions that align perfectly with our city's climate goals," Cr Nelmes said.

"When you add the invaluable engagement with Minister Sharpe in a wide-ranging energy discussion I was proud to take part in, City of Newcastle has delivered a fantastic series that's put the community into the policy and delivery conversation with all levels of government.

"I was also thrilled to launch City of Newcastle's Empowering Newcastle community climate action program, which will support more residents, businesses, and community groups to create a net zero future."

The first phase of this new community climate action program will offer a range of online resources to help participants become more energy efficient, switch to renewable energy and electrify. 

This will be followed by a free Climate Champions training program to run early next year, which will equip emerging local climate leaders with the knowledge and skills to deliver community-led electrification campaigns and projects. 

Applications for this training program will open soon, with a community information session to be held at City Hall on 19 September.

Empowering Newcastle is a key action of City of Newcastle's Environment Strategy, which sets out a 10-year environmental roadmap around the priority areas of climate change, nature-based solutions and the circular economy.