24
April 2008 - The Rudd Government has invited
500 small businesses to participate in a
new climate change initiative designed to
provide greater information on private sector
energy use and greenhouse gas emissions,
Minister for the Environment, Peter Garrett,
said today “Tackling climate change requires
gaining a better understanding of all the
contributing factors, including energy use
in each sector of our society,” Mr Garrett
said.
The inaugural Small
Business Climate Change Action Initiative
will provide a detailed analysis on the
behavioural use of energy in the small business
sector.”
Five hundred small businesses
offering a range of different products and
services across selected metropolitan and
regional areas will undertake energy audits
designed to provide the government with
information that will shape future policy.
“The Government already
has a comprehensive analysis of energy use
in the public sector, and measures emissions
from other sectors such as industry,” Mr
Garrett said.
“Small businesses however
are very diverse, and their energy and emissions
are not well known.
“And as the small business
sector employs nearly half of all Australians
employed in the private sector, understanding
how energy is used in this area is key to
reducing Australia’s carbon emissions.
“The Government recognises
that time and resource pressures can make
it difficult for managers of small businesses
to know exactly how they can help in the
fight against climate change.
“This initiative will
provide owners and managers with a chance
to get involved. They will also be provided
the opportunity to reduce running costs
and shape the future of public policy in
their area.
The Rudd Labor Government
is committed to providing the best possible
advice to help the community participate
in the fight against climate change. This
study will allow us to do this in the
small business sector.”
Ben Pratt
