Businesses in Joondalup getting Eco Smart

The City of Joondalup (Australia), in partnership with the Australian cities of Wanneroo and Stirling, recently delivered the eco-business energy assessment program.

The program builds on a highly successful pilot program conducted in Joondalup that provided 30 participating businesses with an average annual energy saving of $US 1,026 ($AUS 1,195) and a 6.2 tonne reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

The program used the assessment company EcoSmart to conduct a Level 1 Energy Assessment on participating businesses.  Each business was then provided with a breakdown of energy costs by use (e.g. heating, cooling, lighting etc.) and with recommendations on how to reduce energy use.

The assessments that have been undertaken have identified a potential 5,928 tonnes of greenhouse gas abatement, and financial savings of $US 142,500 ($AUS 165,960) per year across the 75 businesses.

Six weeks after the initial assessment, a follow-up interview was conducted with each participating business to determine what recommendations they have implemented, key successes achieved and difficulties encountered.  The follow-up process is currently being completed and a final report will be released in the coming months detailing the greenhouse gas and financial savings achieved by the program.

The program was made possible by a generous grant secured from the National Department of the Environment and Water Resources, through the Australian Greenhouse Office’s Community Abatement Grant Program.

For more information on the program, please go to www.ecosmart.net.au.

Energy efficiency programs offer one of the best ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.  A large share of fossil fuel use is dedicated to providing the electricity that powers almost all aspect of daily lives.  Globally, 75 percent of all energy is consumed in cities.  For strategies to reduce energy use at the local government, community and individual level, please visit www.iclei.org/ccp.

Joondalup is one of 100 local governments in Australia that are currently Members of ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability.  For more information on ICLEI and its activities in the Oceania Region, please visit www.iclei.org/oceania.

Source:  “More Joondalup Businesses Get Eco Smart – Council Initiative of the Month”, ICLEI Oceania Newsletter, June 2007.