1 Million Women
Something for all women to get involved in. Pledge to reduce your carbon emissions
www.1millionwomen.com.au
Appliance Energy Rating
Check out energy ratings for all major appliances before you buy at this government website
www.energyrating.gov.au
The Alternative Technology Association - ATA
The ATA is Australia’s leading not-for-profit organisation, promoting sustainable technology and practice. The ATA provides services to members who are actively walking the talk in their own homes by using good building design, conserving water and using renewable energy.
www.ata.org.au/
Buying Energy Saving Products
The Environment Shop www.environmentshop.com.au
Neco www.neco.com.au
Todae www.todae.com.au
Carbon Footprint Calculator - EPA
Measuring our own carbon footprint helps us to better understand how our everyday choices and activities contribute to our ecological impact. It also helps us to identify what activities are having the biggest impact on the environment and helps us to identify where we need to take action. The calculator asks a series of simple questions, and then gives you an outcome and feedback.
www.epa.vic.gov.au/ecologicalfootprint/calculators/personal/introduction.asp
Climate Change
Learn more about climate change
www.climatechange.vic.gov.au
Climate Friendly - offset your carbon emissions
This site helps you offset your holidays, car use or other emissions - by investing in renewable technologies!
www.climatefriendly.com/
DCES Bulk Buy Scheme - Delivering Clean Energy Solutions - via MEFL
Bulk buy solar hot water and solar pv scheme - open to Darebin, Banyule and many others residents! Contact MEFL now for more information on 9385 8585.
www.dces.mefl.com.au
EcoSmart Electricians
An EcoSmart Electrician can help you save money, become more energy efficient, reduce your carbon footprint and play your part in helping the environment.
www.ecosmartelectricians.com.au/
The Energy Institute
The Energy Institute is dedicated to helping everyday Australians like you save energy, save money and help our environment by reducing the greenhouse gas emissions created from energy use.
www.energyinstitute.com.au/
Environment Victoria - Safe Climate and Sustainable Lifestyles factsheets
Get involved in one of the many ongoing campaigns and programs designed to reduce Victoria's greenhouse gas emissions and restore our climate by the year 2020. Or find out some great top tips and ways to use less energy at home via the factsheets.
www.environmentvictoria.org.au/safe-climate
www.environmentvictoria.org.au/content/everything-weve-got-sustainable-lifestyles
The Essential Services Commission - Energy
The Essential Services Commission is the independent regulator of the retail energy industry in Victoria. Its role is to manage licence arrangements for the distribution and sale of gas and electricity in Victoria, and ensure compliance by licensees with conditions in codes and guidelines about service standards and appropriate market arrangements and conduct. The electricity and gas retail markets are competitive, which means that all customers can choose their energy retailer.
www.esc.vic.gov.au/public/Energy/
Green Bank
Greenbank is the largest independent trader of RECs in Australia. They process and register environmental credits under the various state and federal schemes as well as the voluntary offset market.
www.green-bank.com.au/
Green Electricity Watch
A website from the Australian Conservation Foundation, Total Environment Centre, and WWF-Australia that provides a ranking of green electricity products to help consumers choose which ones make the most difference to Australia's and their own greenhouse gas emissions.
www.greenelectricitywatch.org.au//index.php
Greenhouse Games
Are you a GreenHouse Hero Household? Join the GreenHouse Games as a household or worksplace, to take part in a fun 8 week challenge and make a difference to the environment. You’ll plan and track your mission online and earn points for every sustainable action you complete at home.
www.greenhousegames.vic.gov.au/
Green Living Builders - Master Builders
Green living training provides builders with the necessary tools to pursue sustainability options in their constructions and adopt sustainable innovations. These builders are skilled in the design, construction and maintenance of high quality structures that adopt industry best practice for sustainability in the built environment.
www.mbav.com.au/vpLink.aspx?ID=000000001000
Green Plumbers
A Licensed GreenPlumber® can assist you in determining the most efficient products and appliances for your current and future needs – helping you to develop a staged plan for reducing your energy (and water) costs, while protecting the resources of the planet. GreenPlumbers® have been trained in heating and cooling appliances, hot water heating, solar hot water, (water conservation and water sustainability), and other emerging products and technologies.
www.greenplumbers.com.au/
GreenPower
Purchasing 100% accredited GreenPower (ie, 'green electricity' generated by solar, hydro or wind - not from burning coal) will not only reduce your home's greenhouse gas emissions, it will also drive demand for renewable energy solutions. This is the single biggest thing you can do to reduce the carbon footprint of your home. Vote with your dollar and switch to 100% accredited GreenPower today via your electricity provider. All you need to do is call them. This government website can answer your GreenPower questions too.
www.greenpower.gov.au/home.aspx
GreenSmart and GreenSmart Professionals - Housing Institute of Australia (HIA)
HIA provides leadership in the recognition of environmentally responsible residential building and land development through its GreenSmart program. GreenSmart was established by HIA in 1999 to promote practical, affordable and durable environmental solutions for residential design and construction. The GreenSmart Guidance Book - for renovations or new builds has loads of great information.
www.hia.com.au/hia/channel/builder/region/national/classification/greensmart/greensmart%20on%20display%20v2.aspx
Halogen Downlight Alternatives - factsheet
Downlights are problematic for so many resaons including: they are a fire risk, they are a hole in your roof and insulation (causing draughts and reduces the effectiveness of your insulation), the are expensive to run, and result in high emissions. Check out our factsheet for great alternatives!
Living Greener - Federal Government
There are many actions you can take to use renewable energy sources instead and to be more energy efficient at home. Being more energy efficient will cut your energy costs and help protect valuable energy resources for the future.
www.livinggreener.gov.au/energy
MEFL - Moreland Energy Foundation Ltd
MEFL is an independent not-for-profit organisation, that was established to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions across the municipality of Moreland, however now works across the whole of Melbourne. MEFL acts as a connection between the Moreland community and the broader climate change action movement.
www.mefl.com.au/
Pelmets
Why not make your own pelmets for your windows?
www.uktv.co.uk/home/stepbystep/aid/961
Powermates - measure your appliances electricity use
Borrow a powermate from the library, or hire one from the Environment Shop (see above) to discover how much electricity your appliances use when in use or on standby.
Rebates
There are some great rebates available to help you cut down your energy use. See this factsheet for more details.
ResourceSmart
You can make a difference. The choices you make and the actions you take now will affect the way we live in the future. Whether you're taking your first steps in sustainability or looking to shrink your impact even more, you'll find help here.
www.resourcesmart.vic.gov.au/
Save Energy
Just how many black balloons can you save with simple energy reducing actions? Find out the actions, and the savings here
www.saveenergy.vic.gov.au/
Sokitt
Sokitt allows you compare the total cost (to your planet and your wallet) of appliances on the Australian market.
www.sokitt.com/
Solar panels
This factsheet aims to provide you with an overview ofwhat you need to know to get the right solar system for you.
Sustainability Victoria
Sustainability is about making sure the social, economic and environmental needs of our community are met and kept healthy for future generations. As an agency of the Victorian Government, Sustainability Victoria has a simple goal: to integrate sustainability into all aspects of Victorian life so that living sustainably forms part of what we all do every day.
www.sustainability.vic.gov.au/www/html/1517-home-page.asp
Sustainable Painters - listing
Find yourself a sustainable painter - that uses more environmentally - and people/animal friendly paint!
www.resourcesmart.vic.gov.au/for_educators_4700.html
Thermal Performance Assessors
Thermal Performance Assessors (TPAs) conduct residential building thermal performance assessments. Residential building thermal performance assessment is required for all proposed residential construction under current legislation, and measures the thermal performance of a proposed dwelling design.
www.bdav.org.au/thermal-performance-assessors
VEET Scheme - Victorian Energy Efficiency Target Scheme
The VEET scheme is designed to make energy efficiency improvements more affordable, contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gases, and encourage investment, employment and innovation in industries that supply energy efficiency goods and services.
www.veet.vic.gov.au/Public/Public.aspx?id=Home
Your Carbon Price
www.yourcarbonprice.com.au
Your Home Guide
Excellent, comprehensive government guides for buying or renovating your home
www.yourhome.gov.au
Zero Emission House
Find out more about the CSIRO's Zero Emission House Project which aims to demonstrate how greenhouse gas emissions can be significantly reduced in Australian Homes.
www.csiro.au/science/Australian-Zero-Emission-House.html