Decision details

By Councillor Scott

It is resolved that:

(A)       Council note:

(i)         the World Health organisation says climate change is the single biggest health threat facing humanity;

(ii)        methane leakage from more than 40 million gas stoves is comparable to the climate pollution from half a million cars on the road;

(iii)       in homes and buildings, while renewable energy became the fastest-growing energy source between 2010-18, gas use rose eight per cent during the same period. In fact, despite its dangers, it is still the most common cooking fuel globally, used by around half of the world’s population in 2019;

(iv)       energy efficient cooking appliances, powered by distributed renewable energy, can help countries quickly transition to clean energy, which can be produced locally;

(v)        cooking with gas releases several toxic pollutants, notably nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide, directly into our kitchens and homes;

(vi)       American research shows that, on average, householders with a gas stove are regularly exposed to nitrogen dioxide levels that would be illegal under outdoor air quality standards and exceed acute health-based standards and guidelines;

(vii)      the Global Cooksafe Coalition exists to promote universal access to safe and sustainable cooking in new kitchens by 2030 and existing kitchens by 2040. That means fossil fuel-free cooking on energy efficient electric appliances, powered by renewable energy; and

(viii)    a partnership with the Global Cooksafe Coalition demonstrated support for their core mission which is to promote safe, fossil fuel-free cooking, for everyone; and

(B)       the Chief Executive Officer be requested to:

(i)         investigate options to transition the kitchens in City-owned buildings to electric power and report back to Council with specific targets for this transition;

(ii)        investigate options within the City’s planning controls to transition kitchens in new commercial and residential developments to electric power and report back to Council with specific targets for this transition;

(iii)       make information available on the City’s website for property owners who wish to retrofit their buildings with electric power; and

(iv)       involve the Global Cooksafe Coalition in the process of setting targets and distributing information. 

Note – at the meeting of Council, the content of the original Notice of Motion was varied by Councillor Scott. Subsequently it was –

Moved by Councillor Scott, seconded by Councillor Davis –

It is resolved that:

(A)       Council note:

(i)         the World Health organisation says climate change is the single biggest health threat facing humanity;

(ii)        methane leakage from more than 40 million gas stoves is comparable to the climate pollution from half a million cars on the road;

(iii)       in homes and buildings, while renewable energy became the fastest-growing energy source between 2010-18, gas use rose eight per cent during the same period. In fact, despite its dangers, it is still the most common cooking fuel globally, used by around half of the world’s population in 2019;

(iv)       energy efficient cooking appliances, powered by distributed renewable energy, can help countries quickly transition to clean energy, which can be produced locally;

(v)        cooking with gas releases several toxic pollutants, notably nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide, directly into our kitchens and homes;

(vi)       American research shows that, on average, householders with a gas stove are regularly exposed to nitrogen dioxide levels that would be illegal under outdoor air quality standards and exceed acute health-based standards and guidelines;

(vii)      the Global Cooksafe Coalition exists to promote universal access to safe and sustainable cooking in new kitchens by 2030 and existing kitchens by 2040. That means fossil fuel-free cooking on energy efficient electric appliances, powered by renewable energy;

(viii)    on 1 October 2023, the City of Sydney’s Net Zero performance standards will come into effect, requiring large offices, hotels and shopping centre developments to reduce energy use through efficiency and renewable energy or be capable of achieving net zero energy prior to commencing use;

(ix)       in August 2023, Council resolved to investigate amending the City of Sydney’s planning controls to require all new residential developments, and development not captured by the City’s new Net Zero planning controls, to be all electric;

(x)        the Lord Mayor recently wrote to the NSW Minister for Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Heritage and the NSW Premier urging the NSW Government to develop a plan to incentivise or provide rebates to help transition homes and businesses from gas to renewable energy;

(xi)       there is information on the City’s website to guide commercial and residential building owners to transition to net zero carbon emissions through our Green Building grants and in partnership with the Better Buildings Partnership, Smart Green Apartments, Sustainable Destination Partnership, and CitySwitch; and

(xii)      a partnership with the Global Cooksafe Coalition could demonstrate support for their core mission which is to promote safe, fossil fuel-free cooking, for everyone; and

(B)       the Chief Executive Officer be requested to:

(i)         investigate options to transition the kitchens in City-owned buildings to electric power and report back to Council with milestones to achieve this transition in line with our net zero emissions by 2035 target;

(ii)        investigate opportunities for the City of Sydney to work with the Global Cooksafe Coalition; and

(iii)       report back to Councillors via the CEO Update.

Carried unanimously.

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