The Council won the Sustainable Cities Efficient Energy Award (a Victorian Government initiative) in late 2010 for its EcoChallenge program, which was responsible for several of these initiatives. Planning for the future With a commitment to zero net emissions by 2020, there is much more to do. As part of this, the City is in the planning stage of a number of carbon abatement initiatives including installation of a cogeneration system at Splashdown Aquatic Centre, development of a sustainable community at Armstrong Creek, and the rollout of energy efficient street lighting throughout the municipality. Local business sector demonstrating climate commitment Businesses across Greater Geelong are taking positive steps to reduce their contribution to climate change and advocate for emissions reduction within their customer bases, supply chains and community networks. Barwon Water: Early adoption leads to dramatic change Barwon Water provides water, sewerage and recycled water to the city of Geelong and has a significant carbon footprint. They are an example of a forward-thinking organisation that is benefitting from early adoption of emissions-reduction strategies. The organisation is embedding carbon accounting in decision making to ensure new infrastructure is as energy efficient as possible. Improved understanding of the energy efficiency of water and sewerage networks has enabled the business to save over 1,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions per year by replacing pumps and process equipment. They also own and operate the Breamlea wind turbine, one of the first installed in Victoria. They have also installed a mini-hydro power plant which has a capacity to produce up to 1000MW of renewable energy. Alcoa: Plans for new geothermal renewable energy project Alcoa, one of Geelong’s largest employers, is working hard to reduce the emissions intensity of its smelting processes, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by more than 60 per cent since 1990. Alcoa also continues to partner with Greening Australia on forestry offset projects. More recently, the company has signed a Memorandum of Intent with Greenearth Energy to purchase electricity generated from the demonstration stage of the Geelong Geothermal Power Project. La Madre Bakery: Social responsibility and financial savings too Baking consumes its own share of energy, with constant use of electric ovens and regular delivery of freshly baked goodness to cafés, restaurants and stores. So when La Madre Bakery in Bell Park decided to take steps to reduce their energy use, they saw it not only as part of their social responsibility, but as a way to nurture the source of the natural ingredients they use in their breads. Upgrades included installation of a heat shifter
The Council won the Sustainable Cities Efficient Energy Award (a Victorian Government initiative) in late 2010 for its EcoChallenge program, which was responsible for several of these initiatives. Planning for the future With a commitment to zero net emissions by 2020, there is much more to do. As part of this, the City is in the planning stage of a number of carbon abatement initiatives including installation of a cogeneration system at Splashdown Aquatic Centre, development of a sustainable community at Armstrong Creek, and the rollout of energy efficient street lighting throughout the municipality. Local business sector demonstrating climate commitment Businesses across Greater Geelong are taking positive steps to reduce their contribution to climate change and advocate for emissions reduction within their customer bases, supply chains and community networks. Barwon Water: Early adoption leads to dramatic change Barwon Water provides water, sewerage and recycled water to the city of Geelong and has a significant carbon footprint. They are an example of a forward-thinking organisation that is benefitting from early adoption of emissions-reduction strategies. The organisation is embedding carbon accounting in decision making to ensure new infrastructure is as energy efficient as possible. Improved understanding of the energy efficiency of water and sewerage networks has enabled the business to save over 1,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions per year by replacing pumps and process equipment. They also own and operate the Breamlea wind turbine, one of the first installed in Victoria. They have also installed a mini-hydro power plant which has a capacity to produce up to 1000MW of renewable energy. Alcoa: Plans for new geothermal renewable energy project Alcoa, one of Geelong’s largest employers, is working hard to reduce the emissions intensity of its smelting processes, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by more than 60 per cent since 1990. Alcoa also continues to partner with Greening Australia on forestry offset projects. More recently, the company has signed a Memorandum of Intent with Greenearth Energy to purchase electricity generated from the demonstration stage of the Geelong Geothermal Power Project. La Madre Bakery: Social responsibility and financial savings too Baking consumes its own share of energy, with constant use of electric ovens and regular delivery of freshly baked goodness to cafés, restaurants and stores. So when La Madre Bakery in Bell Park decided to take steps to reduce their energy use, they saw it not only as part of their social responsibility, but as a way to nurture the source of the natural ingredients they use in their breads. Upgrades included installation of a heat shifter
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