“The Shire values the importance of not only protecting the natural environment, but also the people that live in it. This is reflected in the multitude of community development events, planting days, and educational workshops that are run throughout the year.”
Harry Henson, Waste and Sustainability Officer
The Shire of Harvey is a local council in Western Australia and is located within the state’s southwest region, with a population of approximately 26,500. In 2021, Harry Henson, Waste Management Officer for the shire, began discussions with Carbon Positive Australia on offsetting their fleet emissions for the shire’s previous financial year and contributing to native tree planting.
Working with our team, Harry compiled a spreadsheet outlining the number of vehicles, vehicle type (which included not only 4WD and standard cars but all trucks, heavy machinery, and motorbikes), fuel type, and the kilometers travelled for each vehicle.
From the accurate and detailed statistics Harry provided, we could calculate the emissions for the shire’s fleet. The shire then offset their fleet emissions and contributed towards our tree planting and restoration projects, which offer both carbon sequestration and nature positive benefits with high-value ecological plantings.
Harry kindly shares the shire’s environmental journey with us, and the environmental goals they have set to achieve that will inspire any business looking to start their journey towards making a difference.
Please tell us a little bit more about the Shire of Harvey and why protecting the environment is important to the council
Located about 140 kilometres south of Perth, the Shire of Harvey covers a land mass of 1,766km2 and consists of 42 kilometres of pristine Indian Ocean coastline. It’s a region known for its breathtaking coastline, fresh produce, pristine waterways, and beautiful landscapes. It is amazing to see how the Shire is committed to protecting the natural beauty of the area and the strides that have been taken to tackle the issue of climate change.
What environmental goals does the Shire have that they would like to achieve?
The Shire has recently signed the WALGA Climate Change Declaration, which outlines major actions the Shire will complete in its efforts to address climate change. The objectives of the Declaration are to demonstrate climate leadership, reduce our corporate emissions and build the resilience of our Shire to climate change. The Declaration establishes the Shire’s position on climate change. It outlines the Shire’s commitment to addressing impacts on the climate and environment through emissions reduction, water conservation, waste diversion, coastal renourishment and adaptation, and sustainable development practices.
Is the Shire working on any other environmental or social initiatives?
The Shire values the importance of not only protecting the natural environment but also the people that live in it. This is reflected in the multitude of community development events, planting days, and educational workshops that are run throughout the year. We are passionate about sustainable development and achieving social, economic, and environmental sustainability.
”We are working on a range of inititiaves within the control of Council to reduce our carbon emissions and minimise the impacts of climate change.” – Paul Gillet, Shire President
When offsetting with Carbon Positive Australia, you support high-value ecological native restoration projects that contribute to both a carbon and nature positive future. An offsetting contribution to Carbon Positive Australia funds planting, monitoring, and research, that allows us to develop and deliver best-practice planting sites.It’s about more than carbon offsetting; it’s about supporting projects that deliver greater social, environmental, and economic impacts.
Our carbon sites adhere to methodologies developed by the Australian Government’s Emissions Reduction Fund (ERF). If you are interested in finding out how you can offset as a business, please reach out to our team HERE.
