The capital of Australia, Canberra, is the first city after Europe to move from fossil fuels to 100% renewable energy.

A report published by the government think tank of Australia Institute in Canberra on 18 September reports that Canberra is to join seven districts around the world that generate and consume equal total energy demand from renewable sources as of 1 January 2020.

The study analyzed information from over 500 areas with populations of over 100,000 inhabitants worldwide.

In 2012, the German Rhein-Hunsrück district became the first region to be 100% renewable; two German states were subsequently created, three states in Austria and one in Spain.

The study utilized details from the CDP, a Londoner Organization which primarily collects data from regional governments and companies on their own environmental results.

The self-governing jurisdiction with a population exceeding 400,000, Canberra, together with paneling of homes and imports of renewable energy from approved suppliers, is producing its renewable energy from large-scale solar and wind energy ventures in this area and in other countries.

The region was administered since 2008 by the Australian Labor Party and the Australian Greens, two centre-left groups. The state has vowed to produce net null pollution by 2045 in addition to reaching 100% renewable electricity.

According to Richie Merzian, Director of Climate and Energy, Australia Institute, regional government stability has led to a number of far-reaching objectives leading to climate action. “We need the governance and commitment which usually goes through three to four years of political party operation,” he says. He says.

Australia has the national goal of producing 33 terrawatt hours of energy from emerging renewable sources by 2020, which constitutes about 23.5% of the country’s power demand. At the beginning of this month, the state accomplished this goal. Nevertheless, scientists say that a new, more ambitious goal is needed to promote further investment in renewable energy initiatives as the country’s greenhouse gas emissions continue to grow.