The Clean Energy Map features more than 1,200 energy efficient and pollution saving projects from 16 separate Australian Government programs and initiatives, many of which have been funded by the carbon price.

The interactive map allows users to enter their postcode or use GPS functionality to locate projects in their region.

These projects are grouped into categories – such as ‘industry’, ‘renewable energy’, or ‘community’ – with each category represented by a different coloured pin to assist identification.

The Map is compatible with mobile devices including iPhones, Android phones, iPads and tablets, and allows the user to access information ‘on the go’, or to share content via Facebook and Twitter.

The Clean Energy Map features outcomes from measures such as the Renewable Energy Target, but also specific initiatives including clean technology, energy efficiency, and on-the-land based programs.

The Clean Technology Programs alone are helping fund over 220 projects and will generate over $331 million of investment in new capital equipment and save Australian manufacturers more than $30 million a year in reduced operating costs.

Designed as a one-stop-shop for people wanting to know more about where money from a carbon price is being invested, the Clean Energy Map identifies how businesses, households and communities working together for a Clean Energy Future.

To find out more, visit www.cleanenergymap.gov.au today!

With the help of a Federal Government grant worth close to $200,000, East Arnhem Shire Council has undertaken a street light replacement project in nine remote Indigenous communities in Arnhem Land.

The project, funded by the Government’s Community Energy Efficiency Grants Program (CEEP), involved replacing 509 inefficient mercury vapour street lights with energy efficient LED street lights.

It will help East Arnhem Shire Council substantially reduce its energy consumption and save the council an estimated $25,000 per year.

The $200 million CEEP initiative, funded as part of the Low Carbon Communities program is, also helping inform the community about the benefits of smart energy use, while providing improved services and amenities to buildings and community facilities.

A wide range of high quality proposals were received in the first round of CEEP, with 63 projects awarded funding.

Applications for round two are currently being assessed

The study, partly funded by a $32,000 grant from the Government’s Australian Renewable Energy Agency’s (ARENA’s) Emerging Renewables Program, found that 20 per cent of the industry’s biomass materials, including husk and shell waste, could be converted into energy to generate power.

There are various ways that almond waste can be converted into energy, including combustion and gasification. The study in question focussed most of its analysis on the use of gasification systems to produce electricity and heat.

The findings are positive news for the industry – currently, almond waste has limited economic value in Australia.

The Almond Board is now considering its options based on the study findings. The Board is looking at conducting a site specific feasibility study, running a physical trial to better understand the technologies that can be used to turn the shell and husk feedstock into energy, and establishing an integrated, site specific project to meet onsite and local supply and demand.

ARENA is a $3.2 billion Australian Government initiative to improve the competitiveness of renewable energy technologies and increase the supply of renewable energy in Australia. It is part of the Government’s Clean Energy Future package.

Read  The Almond Board study.

Select Carbon, the company behind the Native Conifer Carbon Sink Project, is looking to partner with farmers in the region to plant native trees in exchange for tradeable carbon credits.

“The Carbon Farming Initiative represents an excellent opportunity for us to drive carbon finance into the region while improving the natural environment,” said Charles Maxwell, Director of Select Carbon.

According to Mr Maxwell, the native conifer carbon sink project aims to complement the local grazing and dairy industries by giving farmers the opportunity to tap into an alternative revenue stream for many years into the future.

“Now that our first site has been approved, we aim to expand this project with the support of local landowners towards our target of at least 1,500 hectares by 2020,” said Mr Maxwell.

Under the Carbon Farming Initiative, carbon credits generated from eligible projects are able to be traded to large emitters of pollution that need to offset their emissions or reduce their carbon liability.

For each tonne of CO₂ equivalent (CO₂e) that trees planted as part of the Select Carbon project remove from the atmosphere, one carbon credit will be assigned by the Federal Government.

Newly appointed Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, Yvette D’Ath, congratulated Select Carbon on being the first project approved under the scheme, and also welcomed efforts to rejuvenate the land and reduce carbon pollution.

“I congratulate Select Carbon on its Native Conifer Carbon Sink Project, and look forward to the successful planting of the first 20 hectares of native conifer trees in the southern Atherton Tablelands region.”

“The Carbon Farming Initiative is not only good for the environment, but provides farmers and landholders with an opportunity to earn carbon credits by storing or reducing carbon pollution on the land,” said Mrs D’Ath.

Select Carbon is now in the process of establishing long-term leasing agreements with local landholders to plant trees on their property, with the first plantings scheduled to take place in April 2013. In return, landholders will receive income from the company for the generation and sale of these carbon credits.

“Obviously, the Carbon Farming Initiative provides a solid financial incentive to participate in our project, but there are other good reasons for local farmers to get involved as well,” said Mr Maxwell.

Mr Maxwell also pointed to the inherent benefits of planting native conifers, saying that over time, native conifers can provide the forest architecture to encourage the development of a bio-diverse shade-tolerant rainforest understorey.

“Native conifers are all ancient Gondwanan species from the Family Araucariaceae that were present well before the dinosaurs became extinct. These tree species are not only very hardy, but over time are capable of sequestering large amounts of carbon dioxide to generate carbon credits.”

According to the Marine Nation 2025 report, released this week, Australia’s oceans could produce billions of dollars’ worth of clean energy in the form of electricity generated by wave power.

The report says an initial assessment has identified world-class wave energy resources along the western and southern coastline, and valuable tidal energy resources in the North West of Australia.

Marine Nation 2025 was prepared by the Federal Government’s Oceans Policy Science Advisory Group and highlights the enormous potential of Australia’s oceans, as well as the challenges and opportunities involved with managing our vast maritime resources.

The report comes on the eve of the commencement of the Perth Wave Energy Project, which is due to begin next month. Located at Garden Island, near Perth, the project will start delivering green energy to the grid in 2014.

The project will be Australia’s first commercial wave energy project connected to the electricity grid. An associated wave-powered desalination plant will be a world first.

A CSIRO study released last year revealed that ocean waves have the potential to power a city the size of Melbourne by 2050.

CSIRO’s Ocean renewable energy: 2015-2050 report said Australia’s ocean waves could supply about 10 per cent of Australia’s electricity by the middle of this century.

Downer EDI will use the grant from the Government’s Clean Technology Investment Program, funded by carbon price revenue, to support upgrades at its plant in Bli Bli, north of Brisbane.

This multimillion dollar upgrade will enable the plant to manufacture asphalt containing up to 40 per cent recycled materials.

The changes will substantially boost the company’s energy efficiency, reduce its environmental footprint and create a more sustainable future.

It is expected that this project will allow Downer to cut energy costs at the site by approximately $480,000 a year and reduce the facility’s carbon emissions intensity by up to 33 per cent.

The $800 million Clean Technology Investment Program and the $200 million Clean Technology Food and Foundries Investment Program are supporting local manufacturers to improve their operations and competitiveness.

In addition to the Investment Programs, the $200 million Clean Technology Innovation Program is available to provide help for Australian businesses to develop new, clean technologies.

For more information, companies should contact AusIndustry on 13 28 46 or visit www.ausindustry.gov.au.

Teys Australia in Beenleigh, south of Brisbane, has been granted $2.82 million from the Government’s carbon price-funded Clean Technology Food and Foundries Investment Program.

In announcing the grant, the Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, Greg Combet, and Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, Yvette D’Ath, said the project aimed to reduce Teys’ carbon emissions intensity by 85 per cent.

Teys Australia will install a facility to capture biogas which will be combusted on site and used to generate energy.

By making these changes, the company hopes to save up to $1.3 million on its power bills per year.

Food processors and manufacturers, in partnership with the Government are transforming their operations and becoming more efficient, more competitive and more sustainable.

The price on carbon is driving this change, providing a win for the economy and a win for the environment.

The $800 million Clean Technology Investment Program and the $200 million Clean Technology Food and Foundries Investment Program are supporting manufacturers and remain open for applications.

In addition to the Clean Technology Investment Programs, the $200 million Clean Technology Innovation Program is supporting other Australian business to develop new, clean technologies.

For more information, companies should contact AusIndustry on 13 28 46 or visit the website – www.ausindustry.gov.au

Moreland, in Melbourne’s inner north, becomes the second Victorian council to achieve carbon neutral status, after Yarra City Council met the NCOS standard in late 2012.

Mayor Oscar Yildiz said Moreland City Council had been working towards carbon neutrality since 2007 when it endorsed a Climate Action Plan.

“We’ve worked hard since then to adopt energy efficiency measures that have reduced our energy use,” he said.

As part of the council’s carbon neutral journey, it undertook a detailed study of energy use including electricity, gas consumption, paper use, flights, taxi use, council vehicles, greases, oils, and refrigerants from air conditioning units.

Following on from this study, the council purchased green power to reduce its emissions and offset the remaining emissions through purchasing and retiring carbon credits.

They have implemented energy efficiency projects, such as lighting upgrades in council-owned buildings, improvements to the heating ventilation and air conditioning at the Coburg Civic centre.

They have also redeveloped the Brunswick Baths, which included installing a co-generation system that produces onsite electricity and heat, and will soon install Victoria’s first public electric vehicle fast charge station.

Low Carbon Australia’s CEO Meg McDonald congratulated Moreland on its achievement, adding that it was only the third council in Australia to have been certified carbon neutral.

“Moreland, through its efforts joins our carbon neutral network, a team of leading Australian companies and organisations which are actively demonstrating how their actions can make a difference,” she said.

Established by the Australian Government in July 2010, the National Carbon Offset Standard sets transparent requirements for calculating, auditing and offsetting the carbon footprint of an organisation so it can achieve ‘carbon neutrality’.

For more information, go to http://www.climatechange.gov.au/ncos

Perth has just been recognised as one of the world’s top five “geothermal cities” by the Western Australian Geothermal Centre of Excellence (WAGCOE).

Established in 2009, WAGCOE brought together researchers, industry, investors and government agencies to create zero-emission geothermal cities.

Perth’s inclusion on the list was unique, as it was earned on the basis of its plans to become the world’s first geothermally-cooled city.

“When we consider the challenges of climate change and the need to develop reliable sources of renewable energy, the work of WAGCOE is less about the last four years, and more about the next 50 years,” WAGCOE Director Professor Klaus Regenauer-Lieb said.

“We provided a world-class research and training environment where scientists developed local solutions to revolutionise energy development in Western Australia and contribute to the goal of powering zero-emission geothermal cities,” Professor Regenauer-Lieb said.

Among WAGCOE’s other major achievements was the development of a 3-D computer model illustrating a comprehensive geological assessment of the entire Perth Basin, which will act as a template for future geothermal developments in the region.

The centre was also instrumental in securing $20 million of Australian Government funding for the CSIRO Geothermal Project, which aims to prove the viability of using geothermal energy on a large-scale.

Primo Smallgoods, which employs more than 4,000 people nationally, has been awarded $1.17 million in funding under the Clean Technology Food and Foundries Investment Program, which is funded by the carbon price.

Primo will contribute an additional $2.54 million in funding towards the project.

The project will involve the replacement and upgrade of lighting, air-conditioning and water heating equipment at its four meat processing sites in New South Wales at Scone, Chullora, Greenacre and Prestons.

The upgrades will cut the company’s energy costs by $1.4 million per year and reduce energy emissions intensity across the four sites by 19 per cent.

The Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, Greg Combet, said the grant was another example of an Australian company making smart investments in new equipment to reduce energy costs and make their business more sustainable.

“Through the Clean Technology Investment Programs, the Government is helping manufacturers and food producers – like Primo Smallgoods – transform their operations by investing in energy efficient equipment and processes,” Mr Combet said.

For more information on clean technology investment, visit the AusIndustry website www.ausindustry.gov.au

The 2013 Sustainable Living Festival is on right now in Victoria and aims to raise awareness and inspire Australians to live more sustainably.

The annual festival is the largest and oldest sustainability festival in Australia. This year’s festival includes community gardening, sustainable house tours and DIY workshops.

The emphasis is on showcasing leading solutions to ecological and social challenges.

The Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, along with the City of Melbourne, is a principal partner in the festival, which expects to attract more than 150,000 visitors between 9 and 24 February.

DCCEE is actively participating, manning a marquee at the Green Market in Federation Square.

Festival visitors will get a chance to learn more about Australia’s clean energy future and test their knowledge by taking the Clean Energy Future Challenge.

“The Sustainable Living Festival is a manifestation of a commitment to healing our environment, a demonstration of diverse proposals for changing our behaviour and reducing the damaging impact we are having,” said Dr Moss Cass, Australia’s first environment minister, and patron of the Festival.

This weekend, the focus will shift to the heart of Melbourne for the festival’s Big Weekend event, in Federation Square, which will celebrate the very best examples of ecological and social sustainability.

The event will feature interactive workshops, talks, demonstrations, artworks, exhibits, films and live performances.

For more information on the Sustainable Living Festival, go to http://www.festival.slf.org.au/

JBS Australia Pty Ltd, based in Ipswich, will improve its largest meat processing facility with the help of a $4.4 million grant from the Government’s  Clean Technology Food and Foundries Investment Program.

The facility is used for slaughtering, boning, packaging, by-products rendering and hide processing.

JBS will use the funding for an $8.8 million project to upgrade its waste water treatment system by installing new pre-treatment equipment.

The existing boiler plant will also be modified to combust biogas generated from the site with natural gas.

The improvements planned will help JBS Australia save $1.1 million a year in energy costs, cutting its carbon price liability by $790,000 per year.

The Clean Technology Food and Foundries Investment Program is a $200 million grants program designed to support Australian food and foundry manufacturers to improve their operations and provide positive environmental outcomes.

The program, funded by carbon price revenue, supports jobs and provides incentives for manufacturers to become more efficient, more competitive and cut carbon pollution.

For more information, contact AusIndustry on 13 28 46 or visit www.ausindustry.gov.au

Ardagh Australia in Milperra, Tacca Industries in Moorebank, and Barron & Rawson in Revesby have been awarded more than $2.2 million in funding as part of the Government’s Clean Technology Investment Program.

Ardagh, a major supplier of steel and aluminium food and aerosol cans in Australia and NZ, has been offered a $1.8 million grant to help fund a $5.4 million project that will help it upgrade its facilities to make them more energy and cost efficient.

The company will consolidate its manufacturing activities and upgrade its can-making lines at the Milperra site.

The project is expected to reduce Ardagh’s carbon emissions by 48 per cent and result in savings of $250,000 in energy costs per year.

Tacca Industries and Barron & Rawson will receive $259,412 and $134,706 respectively to help install solar PV systems.

Tacca, which manufactures plastic packaging such as punnets and cake trays, will install a 200kW system that it estimates will save the company $29,000 a year in energy costs and significantly reduce its emissions.

Barron & Rawson designs and manufactures specialised plastics for Australian and international markets.

Its new 100kW system is expected to slice up to $24,000 a year off its energy bill and cut its emissions by 16 per cent.

The $800 million Clean Technology Investment Program and the $200 million Clean Technology Food and Foundries Investment Program are funded by carbon price revenue.

Manufacturers are encouraged to apply for funding under these programs. For more information, visit www.ausindustry.gov.au or call AusIndustry on 13 28 46.

Brisbane’s street lights are set to become brighter and more energy efficient in what is believed to be the largest street lighting retrofit project ever undertaken in Australia.

The Government is providing almost $5 million from the Community Energy Efficiency Program (CEEP) to help Brisbane City Council replace 25,000 of the city’s street lights with more energy efficient lamps.

The Council will contribute a further $5 million to the project over the next two financial years.

The existing lights are mercury vapour bulbs, which over time give off a reduced amount of light, becoming dim. 

The new more efficient lamps, however, use less energy, provide better lighting levels and do not deteriorate as much as the existing lamps, meaning the streets will be well-lit and safer for residents.

When installed, the new lights will use 40 per cent less electricity and are expected to reduce the Council’s overall electricity consumption by 2.5 per cent.

The project will result in $500,000 worth of savings to the Council’s annual electricity bill.

The $200 million CEEP initiative, funded by the carbon price, is helping inform the community about the benefits of smart energy use, while providing improved services and amenities, buildings and community facilities.

A wide range of high quality proposals were received in the first round of CEEP, with 63 projects awarded funding.

Applications for round two are currently being assessed.

Four new CFI methodologies – the ‘instructions’ for CFI projects – have been approved and announced by Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency Greg Combet, and Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency Yvette D’Ath.

Pig farmers will benefit from the release of an approved method to capture harmful methane gas generated from pig manure and convert it into electricity for their operations

Efficiently capturing methane has both environmental and financial benefits; farmers can use the gas produced in the process to generate electricity, saving them money on power bills.

Farmers can also boost their income by selling carbon credits generated from approved projects.

Two methodologies have also been approved for the growth, regeneration and maintenance of native forest areas.

Dr James Bulinski, a Director of CO2 Australia, is excited by the commercial potential for farmers seeking to manage their greenhouse gas emissions.

“Now that we have final approval we can move to rapidly register close to 30,000 hectares of eligible reforestation projects that we manage under the CFI and get on with the business of generating Australian Carbon Credit Units for our clients,” Dr Bulinski said.

Ben Keogh, Managing Director of Australian Carbon Traders, highlighted the CFI’s benefits for landholders and the environment.

“There are tens of thousands of hectares of Australian country ready to use this approach to blend carbon and traditional farming on the one property. This creates a great opportunity for landholders throughout Australia,” he said.

Operators who previously diverted degradable waste from landfill may also be eligible to earn carbon credits under a new approved approach.

Operators who comply with the new set of CFI rules can generate carbon credits and help prevent harmful methane emissions, generated by decaying landfill waste, from entering the atmosphere.

For further information, visit www.comlaw.gov.au

Electrolux Home Products received the grant as part of the Government’s $800 million Clean Technology Investment Program, which is funded by revenue from the carbon price.

The company, which will contribute $9.4 million of its own money to the project, will invest in new equipment for its site in Orange, where it will manufacture the energy efficient fridges.

Through the $14.2 million project, Electrolux expects to reduce the carbon emissions intensity of the refrigerators it builds by about 10 per cent. In announcing the grant, Climate Change and Energy Efficiency Minister Greg Combet encouraged other local manufacturers to consider applying for support under the Government’s Clean Technology Investment Program or the $200 million Clean Technology Food and Foundries Program, which is also funded by carbon price revenue.

In addition to the Clean Technology Investment Programs, the $200 million Clean Technology Innovation Program is funding Australian businesses to develop new clean technologies.

For more information, visit www.ausindustry.gov.au or contact 13 28 46.

Farmers Peter and Christine Forster have been direct seeding unused land on their Bullock Hills property with local native species such as Red Gum and Black Wattle since 2010, and are now sequestering approximately 4.5 tonnes of carbon emissions per hectare per year.

“The Bullock Hills Direct Seeding Project is an excellent example of how Australian farmers can improve their land and local environment while contributing to Australia’s reduction of harmful carbon pollution,” Mark Dreyfus, Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, said following a visit to the property last week.

“Carbon farming projects such as this strengthen the land and generate carbon credits, which provide extra income for farmers who can sell them to heavy polluting businesses that need to offset their carbon emissions.”

The Environmental Plantings of Native Species methodology involves the establishment and management of permanent native forests that increase removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

This means farmers can plant and/or seed native species on cleared or partially cleared land.

The benefits of planting native tree species go beyond carbon storage. Shelter belts of native species for lambing paddocks can boost lambing percentages by up to 15 per cent, while the right species mix can improve soils through nitrogen fixation and nutrient cycling and provide habitat for wildlife.

Environmental Planting joins with other CFI methodologies already in place, such as Savanna Burning and Destruction of Methane from Manure in Piggeries, to provide opportunities for Australian farmers and landholders to benefit from a low carbon future.

Further information on the Carbon Farming Initiative can be found at http://www.climatechange.gov.au/government/initiatives/carbon-farming-initiative.aspx .

The Community Energy Efficiency Program (CEEP) is one of a suite of initiatives that encourage local governments and non-profit community organisations to adopt better energy management practices.

CEEP aims to increase the energy efficiency of different types of non-residential council and community use buildings, facilities and lighting arrays.

The benefits of the CEEP extend beyond energy efficiency, with projects demonstrating and encouraging the adoption of improved energy management practices within the broader community.

Examples of activities eligible for CEEP funding include upgrades or retrofits that use geothermal energy for heating and upgrading street lights to solar.

Round two of the program opened on 30 October 2012, with eligible organisations able to apply for grants up until 7 February 2013. This round will have a greater emphasis on providing assistance to regional and rural councils, as well as councils in low socio-economic and other disadvantaged areas.

The first round of the program funded 63 projects across 52 local councils and 11 non-profit organisations, to the value of $42 million. Projects included upgrades to residential street lighting and improvements to the energy efficiency of local buildings, facilities and sites.

The energy efficiency improvements achieved through the CEEP are part of the Government’s efforts to move towards a clean energy future and will assist councils in getting the greatest value from their energy resources.

Now is the perfect time to brush up on some of the hints and tips on how to run your home appliances efficiently and effectively.

Televisions and game consoles are some of the most power hungry devices in the home, with
Sustainability Victoria figures showing the average home air conditioner uses, in just three hours, enough energy to power a fridge for a week.

But there are some simple tips you can use to reduce your energy costs.

To ensure maximum efficiency and lower running costs over summer, households should set their air conditioner to between 25 and 27 degrees. For every degree lower, expect your energy consumption to increase by between five and 10 per cent.

Using timers to make sure that you are only cooling rooms when you need to will also increase efficiency and reduce power bills. Closing doors, blinds and curtains will also help your unit run more efficiently.

When it comes to keeping the family entertained, there is a range of practical ways to use less energy in the home and make a noticeable difference to your bills—without sacrificing the quality of your home entertainment experience.

Turn off the TV and any connected devices like DVD players and video game consoles when you’re not using them. Standby power is a significant contributor to household energy waste – switching off a gaming console when not in use could save households up to $150 a year.

Use the television’s built-in speakers instead of the energy-intensive home theatre speakers when you don’t need the full home cinema experience.

When buying new appliances, be sure to check the Energy Rating label – this will help you choose the most energy-efficient model that meets your needs.

Additional information can be found at www.livinggreener.gov.au .

The CFI is a carbon offsets scheme that is providing new economic opportunities for farmers and land managers while also helping the environment by reducing carbon pollution.

Under the CFI, farmers and land managers are able to generate credits that can then be sold to other business wanting to offset their own carbon pollution.

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the land is important, as agriculture and forestry account for about 25 per cent of the nation’s emissions.

The CFI comprises several methodologies aimed at creating incentives to reduce emissions from agriculture and increase carbon storage in soils and vegetation.

A successful project approved under the Destruction of Methane Generated from Manure in Piggeries methodology is at Blantyre Farm in Young, NSW.

This project captures methane emissions produced by the manure of the farm’s 22,000 pigs and, utilising a biogas fuelled generator, has lowered the landholder’s monthly electricity bill from $15,000 to zero, and the farm is now earning $5,000 a month selling electricity back to the grid. This power generation project is expected to pay for itself in three years.

Fish River Station, about 200 kilometres south of Darwin, has become the first project approved under the Savanna Burning CFI methodology.

The project, which involves strategically burning the rangelands in the early months of the dry season, aims to reduce the fuel load and the severity of late season fires, which are major contributors to Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions. The project provides an important source of employment, and has the potential to produce about 20,000 carbon credits a year which can be sold in the carbon market.

The Government is also supporting the further development of methodologies through the Carbon Farming Futures program, which includes research into new technologies and practices for land managers to reduce emissions and store soil carbon, and provides grants for landholders to apply and test these new practices in real farming situations.

For further information visit the Carbon Farming Initiative.

The club, in the city’s north-west, will install a tri-generation system after being awarded almost $500,000 under the Government’s Community Energy Efficiency Program (CEEP).

The tri-generation system will capture waste heat and turn it into heating, cooling and surplus electricity to power the entire club.

Castle Hill RSL estimates that carbon pollution levels created by its electricity use will drop by 49 per cent – a reduction of 1185 tonnes per year, or a total of 23,694 tonnes over the 20 year life of the system.

“The club has four pools, five restaurants and a fitness and sports complex soon to be powered almost entirely by cleaner energy generated on site,” Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency Mark Dreyfus said.

CEEP grants are funded by revenue from the carbon price and are helping to establish clean energy projects in council and community buildings across Australia.

Warren Glenny, President of Castle Hill RSL Group, said the club was committed to sustainable business practices.

“The CEEP grant presented the opportunity to assist with the upfront purchase of the tri-generation system which will achieve longer term energy efficiency outcomes, improving our return on investment and overall responsibility to members, the broader community and our environment,” Mr Glenny said.

The money saved on energy costs each year will be invested in club facilities and 20 sporting and inter-clubs supported by the RSL, including the Castle Hill RSL Rockets Soccer Club, Castle Hill Dolphins Swimming Club, Hills District Little Athletics, the Kokoda Youth Leadership Program, The Max Potential Youth Leadership Program and the SHINE Hills Schools Excellence Awards Program.

Low income Australians will get help to make their homes more energy efficient under a Government grants program expected to benefit more than 25,000 households nationwide.

Nearly $40 million in funding has been allocated to 11 successful recipients of round one of the Low Income Energy Efficiency Program (LIEEP).

This funding will be used to trial initiatives to help low income households get the most out of their energy use.

The LIEEP is also designed to create new local job opportunities in areas of the community that need it most.

The projects will be delivered by various not-for-profit groups, welfare organisations, charities and manufacturing companies.

Each project aims to address the barriers to energy efficiency uptake – such as access to information, upfront capital costs and existing behaviours – through trials that will collect data to inform future energy efficiency programs and
policies.

The projects will target often hard to reach parts of low income Australia, such as those living in long stay arrangements in caravan parks and within remote Indigenous communities.

Activities will include retrofitting low income houses with energy efficient appliances, installing in-home displays to show energy consumption, providing financial training and brokerage assistance, and engaging specific target groups
such as workers on low incomes or Indigenous communities in their own language through peer training.

The successful projects will be rolled out over four years, with the lead organisations receiving funding progressively over that time. The LIEEP is funded by revenue from the carbon price.

To find out more about the LIEEP, visit the Low Income Energy Efficiency Income Program web page.

There are plenty of energy efficient Christmas lighting options available on the market today.

The most energy efficient option for Christmas lights are LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes), which use as little as 0.06 watts of electricity per bulb.

A string of 400 LED fairy lights left on for five hours a night for 30 days will only add about $1 to your electricity bill.

Conversely, the most inefficient (older model) incandescent fairy lights will cost about $8 if left on for five hours each night for a month.

The use of solar powered LEDs is also on the rise – and this can help brighten Christmas in a big way.

Solar lights avoid the need for mains power and cost nothing to run – they also produce no greenhouse gas emissions.

Local governments and councils are starting to embrace this form of lighting; Victoria’s Bass Coast Shire, for example, has adopted the use of LED solar Christmas lights in the main street of Cowes on Phillip Island.

In Melbourne, the City of Darebin has used solar powered LED bud lights on the trees in High Street, Northcote, for the last five years.

The Temora Aviation Museum, the centrepiece of the town, has recently been granted $118,126 in Government funding as part of the Community Energy Efficiency Program (CEEP).

The museum will use the funding to upgrade inefficient lighting systems throughout the public exhibition areas – a step expected to reduce energy consumption by 84 per cent.

The upgraded lighting will also create an enhanced experience for museum visitors by providing a high quality theatrical atmosphere to showcase the museum’s unique collection of ex-military aircraft.

The funding was part of $42 million in round one grants given to communities to improve energy efficiency across their buildings and facilities.

Temora Aviation Museum CEO Kenny Love said the museum was excited to be a partner in the program, which will help boost productivity in the local economy by encouraging more visitors to enjoy the attraction.

Round two applications for CEEP grants opened on 30 October and close at 5pm on Thursday, 7 February 2013.

Visit www.climatechange.gov.au

Yarra is only the second council in Australia – after the City of Sydney – to receive carbon neutral certification from NCOS.

The important milestone celebrates the council’s journey towards long-term sustainability.

Yarra City is working towards a goal of reducing the council’s total annual energy use by 50 per cent and generating 25 per cent of its energy needs from renewable sources by 2015.

Mayor Jackie Fristacky said becoming carbon neutral by 2012 was a goal the council set for itself in 2008 when drafting the Yarra Environment Strategy.

“This certification means Yarra City has met Australia’s benchmark for achieving carbon neutrality, and we are delighted to be the first Victorian Council to achieve that status,” she said.

The council has invested in accredited renewable energy projects that offset its emissions, including energy efficient globes in street lights, solar panels and hot water systems in council buildings, and introduced on-site energy creation at the Collingwood Leisure Centre.

Low Carbon Australia CEO Meg McDonald praised Yarra for its leadership and commitment in attaining certification.

“Yarra City Council is proof of what can be achieved with strong community leadership and strategic direction,” she said.

Established by the Australian Government in July 2010, the National Carbon Offset Standard sets transparent requirements for calculating, auditing and offsetting the carbon footprint of an organisation so it can achieve ‘carbon neutrality’.

For more information, visit the National Carbon Offset Standard