The pledges include installing renewable energy on council buildings; actively participating in the development of a regional electric vehicle strategy; rolling out energy-efficient lighting across the city, and to open up unused council-managed land (such as remediated landfill sites) for renewable energy.

A fifth pledge that was recommended by council staff - ensuring council fleet purchases meet strict greenhouse gas emissions requirements and support the uptake of electric vehicles - was replaced with a sustainable transport pledge to support cycling through provision of adequate cycle lanes, bike parking and end-of-ride facilities.

Labor councillor Di Fitzgibbon moved the amendment at council's March 17 meeting, saying it was important that council is able to meet the deadline of the pledges it submits.

"This council has made cycleways a high priority, on both planning and delivering ... we'll be able to do that easily, with what we've already got in place," she said.

Independent councillor Ian Olsen questioned the addition of the pledge, as it is "not expected to make an significant impact on greenhouse gas emissions".

Cr Olsen also accused mayor Bob Pynsent of hypocrisy for driving a four-wheel drive as the mayoral vehicle, while supporting a policy to reduce emissions.

Cr Pynsent said the mayoral vehicle had "nothing to do with the debate", while Cr Fitzgibbon defended the mayor's choice of vehicle, saying many roads and properties in the local government area (especially in Ward A) are only accessible by four-wheel drive.

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Deputy mayor Darrin Gray said it would have been harder for council to meet the guidelines for the pledge on fleet vehicles, and that the cycling-related pledge offered "the best bang for your buck".

"We are committed to cycleways and our urban connectivity across the LGA," Cr Gray said.

"By people being able to move across the LGA without getting in their cars, that cuts out some of the CO2 emissions.

"We already have a fair amount of resources committed to do that, and it is a continuation of that.

"I am 100 percent behind ensuring council fleet purchases meet CO2 (emissions guidelines), and I think council officers will be looking at doing that anyway, however, right at the moment I think the best bang for our buck is to support the cycleways."

The report was originally set to be discussed at council's February meeting, but was deferred.

The pledges are part of council's membership to The Climate Council's Cities Power Partnership, Australia's largest local government climate network, which it joined in August last year.

Councils who join the partnership must make five pledges in either renewable energy, efficiency, transport or working in partnership to tackle climate change.