Sutherland Shire Council has made an "historic" commitment to become carbon neutral in its operations by 2030.
The council will strive to be a leader in local government in Australia through the use of low-cost, renewable energy and improvements in waste management, operations and logistics.
A motion by Liberal councillor Kent Johns was unanimously supported at the March council meeting.
The first step will be the preparation of a draft strategy and supporting action plan by August this year that outlines how carbon neutrality will be achieved.
A working party of councillors and council staff will work on the detail of the resourcing needed and explore available government and commercial funding options.
The council will also engage with the shire's business community, with a view to informing the development of a cleaner climate strategy, to sit alongside council's own.
A supplementary motion by Labor councillor Ray Plibersek, which was also unanimously supported, will see the council investigate the use of 100 per cent renewable energy in council facilities and services as economically practicable and using recycled materials in roadworks.
Cr Johns said his motion was "not seated in ideology, but is actually seated in reality, fiscal responsibility and meeting the expectations of our community".
"It's a science based commitment that this council has to be a first mover," he said.
"We have the opportunity, with state and federal government commitments, to be a leader by 2030."
Cr Johns said power prices from renewable energy were being reduced and the state government was investing a billion dollars in renewable technologies.
He said the council would seek to leverage off federal and state governments and seek the advice of environment ministers.
Cr Plibersek said he was "thrilled by the ambition" of Cr Johns's motion and the bipartisan support made it "an historic day for this council".
"Normally, council business is about mundane issues. We are known for roads, rates and rubbish, but this motion seeks to take a bold, long term action on complex economic and environmental issues," he said.
