For Businesses
Energy Use Reduction
Many of the tips for reducing energy emissions at home through building design, appliance efficiency, etc and reducing transport energy are also applicable to commercial businesses.
Rebates Available for Energy Efficiency Improvements
A number of rebates and discount opportunities through accredited providers of building upgrades, appliance improvements, solar PV installation etc. Information is available on the Victorian Energy Saver website and the Solar Victoria website.
Funding Opportunities
Sustainability Victoria’s Small Business Energy Saver Program is a Victorian Government program providing small businesses with savings on energy efficient equipment.
For Farmers
Climate Change poses huge challenges and risks to the agriculture industry, at the same time agriculture is a significant contributor to GHG emissions – the fourth largest contributor to Victoria’s emissions in 2018 (Agriculture Victoria).
The Carbon Farming Initiative (CFI) is a voluntary carbon offset scheme, offered as part if the Australian government’s Emissions Reduction Fund. The aim of the scheme is to allow land managers to earn carbon credits by changing land use or management practices to store carbon or reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
https://carbonfarmersofaustralia.com.au/about/
https://www.agriculture.gov.au/abares/outlook/2022-program
Agriculture activities are not the only source or sink of emissions on-farm – there are also opportunities to reduce emissions or sequester carbon through energy, transport, waste and land use, land use change, and forestry (LULUCF). (https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/climate-and-weather/policy-programs-action )
https://www.vff.org.au/policy/environment/climate-change/
The Australian Government’s Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment are funding Regional Agriculture Landcare Facilitators (RALFs) as part of the $450 million Regional Land Partnerships (RLP) program over five years (2017-18 to 2022-23). The purpose of these RALFs are to support farmers, industry and community groups (including landcare groups) to adopt new and innovative sustainable agriculture practices. This is achieved through several activities, including;
- consultation on relevant new government policies and programs, emerging ideas and innovative practices;
- facilitating partnerships between industry grower and community groups to work together to solve common issues;
- Assisting farming communities and agriculture industry groups to seek new funding opportunities; and
- Feedback program findings to improve future Government practices and funding allocation.
State several initiatives the North East Catchment Management Authority have info on, including:
- Regional Agriculture Landcare Facilitators (RALFs) – As above
- Securing North East Soils – Promotes soil health in NE Victoria by addressing soil acidification and hillslope erosion.
- Northern Victoria Irrigation Development Guidelines – Recent second edition has been brought in line with a range of new legislative and procedural areas.
- North East Sustainable Irrigation Plan (draft) seeking community input
- Stock containment resources for drought management and protection of waterways related to erosion and water quality.
Purchasing Green Power
Another way for homeowners and tenants to reduce their carbon footprint, with the added bonus of no on-site infrastructure requirements and therefore no upfront cost, is to purchase 100% renewable electricity. Many electricity retailers in Australia offer renewable electricity contracts, for a list of Australian Government approved 100% renewable energy providers see the GreenPower Accredited provider list.
Another useful tool to aid the decision in switching to a green electricity provider is Greenpeace’s Green Electricity Guide. The guide highly ranks those providers bringing more renewable energy to Australia’s electricity system, while big climate polluters holding Australia back from achieving a renewable energy future are ranked poorly.
Note that a number of smaller energy retailers are subsidiaries or partners of providers on the approved list, be sure to do your research before ruling out small community owned renewable energy retailers, also known as Community Energy Networks.
