Recommendation 1

The Committee recommends that the ACT Government respond as soon as possible to the Commissioner for Sustainability and the Environment's recommendations on scope 3 emissions and take a proactive response to track and reduce these given that scope 3 emissions account for 94% of Canberra's carbon footprint.

Recommendation 2

The Committee recommends that the ACT Government increase the uptake of active travel and particularly cycling for women and girls through:

• incentives to switch to public and active travel;
• provision of more separate cycle infrastructure;
• better end-of-trip facilities in workplaces; and
• improved facilities for e-bikes, including more charging infrastructure.

Recommendation 3

The Committee recommends that before commencing planning for land release or development of western edge land, including Bluetts Block, that the ACT Government publish any report recommendations for public comment and consultation.

Recommendation 4

The Committee recommends that the ACT Government ensure invasive species management, invasive weed management and woody weed management is adequately resourced and funded.

Recommendation 5

The Committee recommends that the ACT Government deliver its gas transition plan by 2024.

Recommendation 6

The Committee recommends that the ACT Government deliver the VHEES as soon as possible to provide ACT Housing tenants with the benefits of energy efficiency and efficient electric heating in their homes.

Recommendation 7

The Committee recommends that the ACT Government consider requiring end-of-life battery and solar panel recycling under the contracts for the Big Canberra Battery and under all government contracts involving procurement of large batteries.

Recommendation 8

The Committee recommends that the ACT Government consider commissioning the development of a framework for budget reporting on line items in the budget for tonnes of Scope 1, Scope 2 and Scope 3 carbon produced, avoided and reduced, particularly for budget expenditure involving construction or demolition.

Recommendation 9

The Committee recommends that the ACT Government clarify policy and procedures for scraping and levelling of land in new suburb developments, with a focus on whether the entire suburb, or individual blocks, should be routinely scraped and levelled, or whether builders should work within the contours of the existing landscape and only dig as needed to provide slabs, basement car parks and sunken garages.

Recommendation 10

The Committee recommends that the ACT Government clarify how topsoil will be managed to prevent sediment run off and to ensure healthy soils remain for trees, vegetation and food growing.

Recommendation 11

The Committee recommends that the ACT Government consider the EDO report Implementing Effective Independent Environmental Protection Agencies in Australia and if the nine key recommendations are agreed, how these will be implemented.

Recommendation 12

The Committee recommends that the ACT Government ensure the EPA’s resources and FTEs in line with increasing development and population growth.