Businesses and industry can play an important role in driving climate action across our community. Making sustainable choices in your business can reduce impacts on the environment as well as create significant financial savings.
Below are some resources, programs and funding opportunities available to businesses wanting to enhance their sustainability and reduce their environmental footprint.
For Businesses
Council has developed a trial Circular Economy Marketplace tool for local businesses to share and trade commercial, industrial and agricultural materials.
To access this resource, you will need to create an account on Engage Alpine by selecting the blue 'Log In/Join' button at the top right of this page. Once you have an Engage Alpine account, please email the Sustainability Team at sustainability@alpineshire.vic.gov.au to request access to the tool.
Many of the tips for reducing energy emissions at home through renewable energy, environmentally sustainable building design and appliance efficiency are also applicable to commercial businesses. Visit our Sustainable Households page to learn more.
Rebates for Energy Efficiency Improvements
A number of rebates and discount opportunities are available for energy efficiency upgrades through accredited providers of building upgrades, appliance improvements, solar PV installation and other providers. Information is available on the Victorian Energy Saver website and the Solar Victoria website.
Small Business Energy Saver Program
Sustainability Victoria’s Small Business Energy Saver Program is a Victorian Government program providing small businesses with savings on energy efficient equipment.
Energy Efficiency Grants for Small and Medium Sized Enterprises
This is a Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment program supporting businesses to upgrade or replace inefficient equipment and implement other energy efficiency activities.
Other Available Support
- The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment's Rebates and Assistance tool can be used to find available assistance from Victorian and Australian governments.
- Grant Guru is a search tool for identifying open grants and funding sources for a range of project types, including climate, environment and sustainability.
A number of resources are available to assist businesses in reducing their waste generation. Visit our Circular Economy & Waste Reduction page to learn more, or explore the below:
- HalveWaste - tips, grant updates and support for businesses looking to reduce their waste
- Sustainability Victoria - recycling and waste reduction tips for businesses
- YourHome - waste minimisation advice for the building and construction industry
For Farmers
Climate change poses huge challenges and risks to the agricultural industry; as the climate changes it threatens the productivity and sustainability of the sector. At the same time, agriculture is a significant contributor to GHG emissions - the fourth largest contributor to Victoria’s emissions in 2018.
There are a number of resources and programs available to assist farming businesses in reducing their emissions and adapting to climate change.
The North East Catchment Authority provides resources and a number of programs to assist landholders to address natural resource management issues, including climate change and sustainable agriculture. For example:
- Securing North East Soils project, which promotes soil health in NE Victoria.
- North East Sustainable Irrigation Plan, which promotes sustainable irrigation that minimises environmental impacts.
- Stock containment resources for drought management and protection of waterways related to erosion and water quality.
Agriculture Victoria offers a range of resources for farmers to address climate change, including regular climate webinars on a range of topics.
Victorian Farmers Federation offers support for industry climate change action.
The Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences conducts climate and drought research that considers the implications of climate change for the agricultural sector.
The Australian Carbon Credit Unit (ACCU) Scheme is a voluntary carbon offsets scheme that supports organisations and individuals to adopt new practices and technologies to generate (and sell) carbon credits. The Scheme is administered by the Australian government’s Clean Energy Regulator.
The Scheme supports projects that avoid the release of GHG emissions, or remove and sequester carbon from the atmosphere. This includes agricultural projects that reduce farming and land emissions through:
- recycling/reusing animal waste
- storing carbon on soil
- switching livestock diets and fertilisers
Carbon Farmers of Australia's website offers useful information for farmers looking to enter the carbon farming space.
The Victorian Carbon Farming Program provides an opportunity for private landholders to reduce emissions, build resilience to climate change, and explore additional income streams by planting trees.
The North East Catchment Authority provides updates and information on grants available to landholders and communities that are relevant to sustainable land management and agriculture.
Grant Guru is a search tool for identifying open grants and funding sources for a range of project types, including climate, environment and sustainability.
Visit our Weed Management page to find information and resources on effective weed control.
