ABOUT 60 supporters from six environment groups attended Canberra Loves 40%’s “Build a Smarter Canberra” launch at the weekend that aims to work with local business and community groups to lobby the ACT Government for more practical ways to cut emissions.

According to Canberra Loves 40% spokesperson Phoebe Howe, the campaign follows from the successful community push for the 40 per cent emissions target legislated in 2010 and has been developed over the past few months by the group with See-Change, Conservation Council ACT Region, the Canberra Environment and Sustainability Resource Centre, Australian Youth Climate Coalition ACT and Climate Action Canberra.

“Since 2010 we’ve seen some great work by the Assembly showing how reducing emissions can make our city a liveable, modern place to live and work,” Ms Howe said.

“But we still don’t see a comprehensive set of steps that will let us reach our targets. We need to see big commitments, and we need to see action this year.

“That’s why six groups have come together to let our leaders know this is an election issue, and we will be tracking their progress to October.”

Ms Howe said the campaign is a chance for Canberra to show the benefits of real leadership.

“Investing in strong action now will modernise our transport and urban design, unlock new local industries, and save us money by preparing our city for a carbon constrained future,” she said.

Leading up to the ACT election, the alliance will champion the transition to a “Smarter Canberra” in the media and online, engage the community through forums and public events, and work with local business and community groups to practical steps to cut emissions.

[box] The alliance’s key proposals to tackle the three main sources of emissions:

• Smarter buildings: the energy savings legislation must pass by June 2012, with ambitious targets and wide scope including commercial and residential users. The ACT should implement a zero emissions framework for buildings by 2016.
• Smarter energy: the ACT should be powered by 100 per cent renewable energy by 2020. This can be reached through renewable energy generation in the ACT and region, and through GreenPower purchase.
• Smarter transport: the ACT needs a fast, reliable and affordable public transport system that connects all of Canberra, starting with a $200m commitment to stage one light rail. This includes an engineering report and route selection this year, with completion by 2015. [/box]