We help office-based businesses get to net zero emissions

CitySwitch is Australia’s flagship decarbonisation program for businesses.

It’s a free program thanks to the support of council partners and NABERS. We’re currently funded by the Cities of Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, North Sydney, Waverley, Yarra and Ballarat.

CitySwitch was founded in 2005 and initially focused on increasing the energy efficiency of offices. The program has since expanded to support businesses on their entire journey to net zero emissions.

In addition to providing resources to help businesses decarbonise, we work with State and Commonwealth governments to ensure policies support businesses to achieve net zero emissions.

Our approach

We create resources and host events to help businesses reach milestones at each point of this net zero pathway.

What we mean by net zero

CitySwitch aligns with the University of Oxford’s definition of net zero.

This means CitySwitch members act to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as much as possible and then ensure hard-to-avoid emissions are balanced by offsets.

There is a difference between achieving net zero emissions and carbon neutrality. We emphasise carbon offsets should be purchased as a last resort only for emissions you can’t avoid. We categorise emissions based on the Greenhouse Gas Protocol’s ‘scoped’ approach. Businesses aiming for net zero should attempt to cover all 3 scopes.

Reporting and recognition

CitySwitch members must report on their progress along the net zero pathway each year. We also celebrate business demonstrating exemplary performance through our annual showcase.

Annual report

Each year we ask members to report on their progress. Discover the collective results achieved and key program activity from 2022.

Meet the team

We’re a collective of passionate individuals working across different councils and industry associations.

Program managers


Emily Keegan

Council
City of Sydney

Jack Blackwell

Council
City of Melbourne

Megan Schartner

Council
City of Adelaide

Annie Mack

Council
Greater metro and regional

Daniella Mac Dowell

Council
North Sydney Council

National steering committee


Katie Shammas

Council
City of Sydney

Emma Robinson

Council
City of Melbourne

Melinda Dewsnap

Council
City of Sydney

David Bills

Council
City of Adelaide

Danielle Birkbeck

Council
North Sydney Council

Zoe Baker

Council
NABERS

We’d like to work with you and your team.
Businesses are welcome to join at any time.