Businesses in Ararat reducing emissions and saving energy

Businesses in Ararat, Australia that are part of Energise Business are saving on their energy bills and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
 

Energise Business works with small and medium-sized businesses, bringing together customized energy assessments, detailed efficiency recommendations, implementation and finance into one program, saving business owners money and time.
 

Last year, the Energise Business team delivered over $US 112,000 ($AUS 130,000) on ongoing savings to 17 participating businesses in Port Fairy.  It also reduced the businesses’ greenhouse gas emissions by 310 tonnes per year.
 

The program is managed by ICLEI’s Oceania Secretariat as part of the Cities for Climate Protection Program.  It is funded by the State Government of Victoria through the Department of Sustainability and Environment.  It is an initiative of the Victorian Government’s Greenhouse Strategy.
 

In the year 2007/2008, the program is being delivered in Ararat, Kingston and Yarra.
 

More and more cities are facing the need to mitigate climate change while already adapting to the changes brought about by climate change.  ICLEI’s Cities for Climate Protection^® (CCP) Campaign is an innovative international campaign that helps local government and their communities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and their impact on the environment.   And now, the CCP Campaign is launching the Adaptation Initiative, building capacity for climate change impacts at the local level.  For more information, please visit www.iclei.org/ccp.
 

Ararat is one of 105 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 Secretariat, please visit www.iclei.org/oceania.
 

Source:  “Energy project embraced”, The Ararat Advertiser, 23 October 2007.