Climate Change
Expand the sections below to find out more about climate change, Dubbo Regional Council's contribution to addressing climate change and how community can support their reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
What is Climate Change
Scientific evidence indicates that “human activities” have been the dominant cause of the observed climate change since the mid-20th century. In particular, burning of fossil fuels and changes in land use have led to increases in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere – leading to an ‘enhanced greenhouse effect’ – resulting in the earth becoming warmer (global warming).
Impact of Climate Change
According to the Bureau of Meteorology Australia’s 2024 State of the Climate Report Australia’s climate has warmed by 1.51 ± 0.23 °C since national records began in 1910. Australia is also experiencing changes to rainfall patterns, increasing fire danger, increased extreme weather events and sea level rise.
NSW and Australian Regional Climate Modelling (NARCliM) projections show that temperatures in the Central West and Orana Region are expected to keep rising, rainfall patterns will change, there will be more hot days and heatwaves, and fire weather will increase.
Learn more about how climate change will impact our Region through AdaptNSW’s Central West and Orana Region Climate Change Snapshot.
Addressing Climate Change
Addressing climate change will require both mitigation, the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, and adaptation, adapting to the actual or expected future climate. The following outlines the global to local commitments for addressing climate change.
Globally, the United Nations 2015 Paris Agreement commits signatory countries to work to limit global temperature rise to well below 2°C, and given the grave risks, to strive for 1.5°C Celsius. In addition, the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals calls on action from all countries to end poverty and promote prosperity while protecting the planet. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Sixth Assessment Report (AR6) provides the leading international assessment of climate change science. It confirms that human activities are driving climate change and highlights the importance of both reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to unavoidable climate impacts. The report continues to inform climate action by governments, businesses and communities around the world.
The Australian Government has legislated a 43% emissions reduction target by 2030 (from 2005 levels), a 2035 target of 62-70% below 2005 levels, and net zero emissions by 2050. At the State level, the NSW Government has legislated a target of 50% emissions reduction by 2030 (from 2005 levels), 70% emissions reduction by 2035 (from 2005 levels) and net zero by 2050.
At a local level, many local governments and their communities, representing more than two thirds of NSW population, are committed to cutting their emissions. Dubbo Regional Council, along with other regional councils including Albury, Bathurst, Tamworth, and Wagga Wagga, have all set targets to achieve net zero emissions within their operations by 2050 at the latest.
What Council is Doing
Dubbo Regional Council has adopted a Net Zero Framework which provides an overarching blueprint for reducing greenhouse gas emissions to net zero within its operations by 2050. It includes a Short Term Target to reduce emissions from Council operations by 35% by Financial Year 2028 (compared to Financial Year 2022) and Medium Term Target to reduce emissions from Council operations by 70% by Financial Year 2035 (aspirational).
The Framework:
- Identifies Council’s current and future greenhouse gas emissions from its operations (Carbon Footprint);
- Outlines priority areas for emission reduction based on Council’s Carbon Footprint;
- Recommends goals (or pathways) to reduce emissions within these areas;
- Models the impact of these goals (when implemented) in reaching net zero emissions; and
- Identifies Council’s Short, Medium and Long Term Targets to reach zero emissions before 2050.
The Net Zero Framework will be delivered through a range of Council environmental strategies and policies, such as the Energy Strategy and Implementation Plan; Waste Strategy and Implementation Plan; and Zero Emissions Fleet Strategy and Implementation Plan.
Council's carbon footprint (FY22) & priority areas for emission reduction:
- Waste to landfill 62% of Council's carbon footprint
- Supply chain 18%
- Purchased electricity 14%
- Fuel 4%
- Gas 1%
- Wastewater 1%
While reducing greenhouse gas emissions will help to limit climate change, some level of change will still occur and Council will need to prepare for and adapt to the Central West and Orana’s future climate. Council’s Towards 2040 Community Strategic Plan and associated Delivery Program and Operational Plan highlights actions Council is taking to prepare for and adapt to climate change.
Dubbo Regional Council partnered with the University of New South Wales (UNSW) through the National Heat Vulnerability Observatory Project to improve understanding of urban heat across Dubbo. The project collected local temperature data and assessed factors contributing to heat vulnerability and urban heat island effects. The findings are helping inform future planning, urban greening initiatives and climate adaptation strategies to improve community resilience to increasing temperatures and heatwaves. Read the final project here; National Heat Vulnerability Observatory Project Report.
What You Can Do
There are many ways in which a household or a business can move towards reducing their greenhouse gas emissions:
For more information on how to reduce emissions please visit NSW Climate and Energy Action website.
While reducing greenhouse gas emissions will help to limit climate change, some level of change will still occur and residents will need to prepare for, and adapt to, the Region’s future climate. To find out what you can do to prepare for and adapt to climate change visit the Adapt NSW website.
Last Edited: 14 Aug 2026