Small business now has a new way to save money and energy. The Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water (DECCW) is recruiting small businesses across NSW to a new program that helps reduce power bills and carbon pollution.
The Energy Efficiency for Small Business Program offers subsidised energy assessment, a tailored action plan and a rebate of up to $5,000 for making energy efficiency improvements that can save businesses money as well as reduce their impact on the environment.
After an onsite energy assessment, businesses will receive an action plan to help them save electricity by improving the efficiency of existing equipment or installing new equipment that is more energy efficient. Return on investment timeframes are included in the plan for each action identified.
A rebate of up to $5,000 is available to pay for half of the costs to implement action plan recommendations that have a return on investment period of more than two years. Rebates will be paid for improvements to lighting, including skylights, heating, ventilation and air conditioning, boilers, air compressors, commercial refrigeration, electric motors and insulation.
You can take part if your business spends up to about $20,000 a year on electricity or employ up to about 10 people.
Alternatively, if you are a medium to large business, you can register for DECCW's Sustainability Advantage Energy Saver program to help you become more energy efficient.
The Australian Government has allocated $240 million over four years to establish Clean Business Australia a partnership with Australian business and industry for tackling climate change. Clean Business Australia will support a range of activities aimed at improving our energy and water efficiency and increasing sustainability, with a focus on productivity and innovation.
There are three elements to Clean Business Australia:
For more information visit www.ausindustry.gov.au
This website provides information on a series of climate change related programs and initiatives available through the Australian Government Department of Climate Change including:
For more information visit www.climatechange.gov.au/resources/industry.html
Sustainability Advantage is a business support service from the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water NSW (DECCW). It is designed to help your organisation understand sustainability, successfully manage for a better environment and add business value.
An initial management diagnostic evaluates your current environmental performance and ranks possible initiatives. Over 18 months, or longer if you choose, you work on tailored, flexible projects selected from Sustainability Advantage modules.
This program is currently being delivered in the Northern Inland region by NISBN. For more information visit www.environment.nsw.gov.au/sustainbus/sustainabilityadvantage.htm
As part of the $12.9 billion Water for the Future plan, the Government is delivering the $250 million National Rainwater and Greywater Initiative to help people use water wisely in their everyday lives. The Australian Government is providing rebates of up to $500 for households to install rainwater tanks or greywater systems.
For more information visit www.environment.gov.au/water/programs/nrgi/index.html
The Australian Government's Energy Efficiency Opportunities program encourages large energy-using businesses to improve their energy efficiency. It does this by requiring businesses to identify, evaluate and report publicly on cost effective energy savings opportunities.
For more information visit www.ret.gov.au/energy/efficiency/eeo/pages/default.aspx
This website provided by the NSW Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water has been prepared in partnership with various industry sectors to assist them in moving beyond traditional regulation and education in order to integrate environmental sustainability into their daily business operations.
You can find out how to manage the potential environmental concerns in your sector and improve environmental performance through these industry specific materials.
For more information visit www.environment.nsw.gov.au/sustainbus/industryandsmallbusiness.htm
