Approaches used for Engaging SMEs in Energy Efficiency

There is a program run by VECCI and EPA Victoria called Grow Me The Money, which is designed to help SMEs become more sustainable. I know they use successful SMEs as case studies and maybe even mentors for other SMEs. Definitely worth a look, their website is growmethemoney.com.au

Merryn Coutts
Greenfleet
Australia
www.greenfleet.com.au

Hi Winnie,

I work for Grow Me The Money, a free online program for SMEs, which is aimed at reducing energy use, water use and waste production - making SMEs more sustainable both environmentally and financially.

Our tools include self-auditing activities, resource tracking, carbon management, action planning and a resource centre which has information on grants and funding available, legislation, actions you can take and further reading.

To support the online component we have a phone/email helpdesk which can advise participants on the best actions to take for their business, behaviour change techniques, writing funding applications etc.

One of the key elements of the program is to give SMEs the skills inhouse to measure and manage their resource use and improve their environmental performance.

As they make savings and acheive milestones within the program they recieve recognition and this is something they can use to demonstrate their environmental commitment to clients and customers.

Please let me know if you would like more information about our program. I'd also be interested to hear more about your research.



Olivia Tattam
Business Support Officer
Grow Me The Money,
Australia

Check out the Carbon Down web site at:

http://www.carbondown.com.au.

This program run by Sustainability Victoria and VECCI engages SMEs in reducing their energy use and greenhouse emissions.

Cheers

John Osborne


john osborne
Project Manager
Sustainability Victoria
Australia
http://www.resourcesmart.vic.gov.au/

Thanks for all the comments and leads to the different programs running in Victoria. The Grow Me The Money website is very extensive. Are there any published reports on the program and its success?

Do I understand correctly that the Carbon Down program and Grow Me The Money programs are interlinked? It looks to me that Carbon Down is a partnering program with product/service suppliers and energy efficiency professionals, while the Grow Me program actually engages SMEs. Have I got the right end of the stick?

Could the lovely people in Victoria enlighten me please?

I would love to hear more about the research and development that went into creating these programs. If anyone could point me in the right direction, it would be much appreciated.

Thank you again for your input.



Winnie Killick
Australia

Hi Winnie,
Grow Me The Money published a public report on its progress and learning after the first 18 months of operation, you can find it here: http://www.growmethemoney.com.au/Assets/29/1/GMTM_PUBLIC_REPORT_20083009.pdf.

Grow Me The Money and Carbon Down are both programs operated out of the Centre for Innovation and Sustainability Excellence, housed in the Victorian Employers' Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VECCI). They're run in partnership with EPA Victoria and Sustainability Victoria respectively. Your assessment of what each program does is correct, Carbon Down partners with organisations to deliver carbon reducing awareness solutions in a variety of forms, whilst Grow Me The Money works face to face with SMEs to provide the tools and support they need to reduce their environmental imnpact and hopefully save money in the process.

I'm happy to have a chat with you if you'd like to learn more!

Best wishes,
Erin

Erin Simpson

Hi Winnie,

You might be interested in attending the Carbon Down Briefing for Small Business if it is convenient: http://forums.growmethemoney.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=519&sid=a2f59feb0ef590f2862a61cb7d0deaf8

Alternatively, let me know if you would like to be on our mailing list and feel free to follow us on Twitter for some of our latest program developments: www.twitter.com/carbondown

Regards,

Bridget McGuinness
Online Community Developer
Carbon Down, VECCI
www.carbondown.com.au

Bridget McGuinness
VECCI
Australia

Hi Erin

Thanks for your response. I'd love to have a chat to find out more about your programs, perhaps I can give you a call next week if it suits you.

Regards

Winnie

Winnie Killick
Australia