Low Carbon Australia
The Australian Government is providing over $100 million to establish Low Carbon Australia (formerly Australian Carbon Trust) to further support energy efficiency action by businesses. Low Carbon Australia is a Commonwealth company limited by guarantee, with an independent Board of Directors. The Honourable Robert Hill is the Chairman, and Ms Meg McDonald is Chief Executive Officer.
Low Carbon Australia manages two innovative programs:
- An Energy Efficiency Program to provide finance and advice to eligible businesses and the public sector for the retrofit of commercial properties.
- The Carbon Neutral Program which provides certification for organisations that have products or operations that are carbon neutral under the National Carbon Offset Standard (NCOS).
They can be contacted with respect to both initiatives at: info@lowcarbonaustralia.com.au or visit the Low Carbon Australia website.
Energy Efficiency Program
The Government is providing seed funding for an Energy Efficiency Program to promote energy efficiency in the business sector.
The Energy Efficiency Program has been established to provide innovative finance solutions and expert advice to business and the wider community to achieve energy efficiency improvements and cost-effective carbon emission reductions.
To do this, Low Carbon Australia will work with businesses to showcase leading edge approaches to energy efficiency investment, initially by providing financing and advice for energy efficiency improvements through retrofitting of commercial buildings.
Low Carbon Australia will operate commercially, seeking a positive return on its investments and aiming to achieve long-term financial sustainability for its own operations. It is not the intention that Low Carbon Australia operate as a grant making body, instead the financial vehicles being created through the Energy Efficiency Program will enable property owners, business and public sector organisations to access innovative finance solutions for upgrades to energy efficiency equipment.
Low Carbon Australia will bring together public and private seed funding, business skills and culture and technical knowledge to leverage investment in energy efficiency activities in commercial buildings and other business operations. By showcasing commercially viable energy efficiency opportunities, the Energy Efficiency Program will increase awareness amongst businesses of the benefits of energy efficiency and facilitate the growth of private sector capacity.
Low Carbon Australia is seeking proposals from businesses and other organisations to enter into Strategic Relationships and co-invest to deliver energy efficiency improvements in existing non-residential buildings across Australia.
Businesses looking to apply for support from Low Carbon Australia should view the proposal submission guidance and instructions. Interested parties should submit a proposal using the Proposal Template provided.
National Carbon Offset Standard Carbon Neutral Program
Low Carbon Australia Limited is the Program Administrator for the NCOS Carbon Neutral Program, a voluntary program which certifies products or business operations as carbon neutral.
The Program commenced on 1 July 2010 and is the successor to the Australian Government’s Greenhouse Friendly™ initiative (2001 to 2010).
The NCOS, developed by the Australian government, underpins the integrity of the Program.