Providing the successful ClimateSmart Home Service to business in a tailored form is among a range of targeted State Government initiatives designed to help small to medium enterprises survive and thrive in a carbon-constrained economy.
Climate Change and Sustainability Minister Kate Jones said the new climate change strategy ClimateQ: toward a greener Queensland announced today strengthened the Bligh Government’s election commitments and the $96 million package of green initiatives announced as part of the 2009-10 State Budget.
“ClimateQ represents a significant investment in targeted measures designed to help Queensland business become ‘leaner and greener’ and prepare for the introduction of carbon pricing,” Ms Jones said.
The key initiatives for the business sector include:
- ClimateSmart Business Service ($15 million);
- Carbon Outlook: understanding carbon impacts on business ($500,000);
- Reducing green tape for business ($1 million); and
- Skills development for a low-carbon economy ($600,000).
“Building on our early successes in sustainable business practice and household energy efficiency, our climate change strategy offers practical tools for business to take action for the planet and reduce running costs at the same time”, Ms Jones said.
“Under the Carbon Outlook initiative, the government is working with business in key sectors to better understand the costs and opportunities of carbon pricing under the Commonwealth’s proposed Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme. The information will be used to ensure the ClimateSmart Business Service is tailored for maximum benefit.
“Some firms have already registered interest and we’re working with key sector representatives to design the new service.
“Consultation on the design of the ClimateSmart Business Service is underway with industry bodies and the manufacturing, retail, building and construction food processing, tourism and transport sectors.
“A recently released KPMG survey by the Australian Industry Group found only a third of businesses have assessed the likely costs of reducing their energy output.
“This survey tells us many business operators are under-prepared for the low carbon market place.
“Enterprises with up to 100 employees are still learning what the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme means for their business and the ClimateSmart Business Service fills a much needed information gap.“
Ms Jones said under the Reducing green tape for business initiative, the government will work with industry stakeholders to identify opportunities to streamline regulations on energy, water and pollutants and simplify state reporting requirements.
“By reducing green tape our aim is to encourage cleaner and greener performance in the commercial sector, and show business how energy and resource efficiency can actually create new job opportunities, reduce emissions and deliver ongoing cost savings at the same time,” he said.
“The Skills development for a low-carbon economy initiative will fund the government’s action plan for vocational training and up-skilling the people who work in small to medium enterprises so they can implement cleaner and greener innovations and emerging technologies on the job.”
For further information visit www.climatechange.qld.gov.au
20 August, 2009
MEDIA CONTACT: Joshua Cooney 3336 8004
Other languages