Canberra's ranking as a global climate change leader by the Carbon Disclosure Project is an "important acknowledgement", Climate Council chief executive Amanda McKenzie says.
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The CDP placed the capital among the top 10 cities in the world for its "quality and completeness" of environmental risk reporting.
"It's not just that one area of the policy is doing well [to be ranked so highly]," Ms McKenzie said. "Reducing emissions, adequately reporting and disclosing internationally, a renewable energy policy, a risk assessment of what the climate change impact will be and have a plan to adapt to those consequences."
Despite the ACT being significantly smaller than other states and territories and not having coastal environmental concerns, she said the city had substantial environmental elements affecting its climate.
She said Canberra's recognition by the CDP is significant because its size is more common globally and it provides a more realistic comparison on how to implement sustainable technologies and processes.
"Our view is that it is a very good example of how you transition a community that has previously been reliant on fossil fuels and moving towards more renewable energy," Ms McKenzie said.
ACT Environment and Climate Change Minister Simon Corbell said the government had shown Canberrans and the world it was committed to tackling climate change.
"In doing so we are also showing the world that moving to a low-carbon economy is not only achievable and affordable, but also can be a benefit to both the community and our economy," he said.
"By attracting renewable energy companies to Canberra and fostering a positive environment for renewable energy operation, research and development through our progressive policies we have positioned the territory to take advantage of growth in the renewable energy industry".
Much of the sustainable energy being harnessed by the nation's capital is being supplied by interstate facilities, but Ms McKenzie said it was the implementation of the energy being produced which is both environmentally responsible and economically innovative.
"It depends on why those projects have been built and if Canberra has played a significant role in making those projects get off the ground," she said. "And then if the electricity is then being used by Canberra, the ACT has then brought in the investment for plants."
"That is also reflected in some of the local businesses that now exist in Canberra, like Reposit Power for instance, businesses are being attracted to Canberra because it is a better investment environment for renewable energy than other parts of the country."
