2023-02-06
To support community-led projects focused on reducing emissions, the ACT Government’s 2023 Community Zero Emissions Grant program is now open, providing $150,000 to not-for-profit community groups and local Canberrans.
“Climate change affects us all, and we all have a part to play in responding to it. There are so many great ideas out and inspiring projects out there in the community, and we want to support and encourage community organisations to be creative and help inspire change to reduce emissions and build our resilience to climate change impacts,” Minister for Emissions Reduction, Shane Rattenbury said.
“We are fortunate to have such an active community and we want to support and enable this community leadership on climate change. Over the past five years, the Community Zero Emissions Grant program has supported 29 unique projects focusing on sustainable transport, waste reduction, composting, recycling, renewable energy, home energy efficiency and more. Funding is also available for projects that increase the community’s resilience to the impacts of climate change.”
Applications for funding up to $50,000 per single application and up to $75,000 per joint application are invited. For information on previously funded grant projects and how to apply, visit the Everyday Climate Choices website. Applications close 29 March 2023.
Quotes attributed to OzHarvest Canberra City manager, Belinda Barnier:
“The inaugural Community Zero Emission Grants in 2017 provided OzHarvest with the funds to install portable shelving and a walker stacker in our Fairbairn warehouse. This gave us the ability to accept and manage larger deliveries of nutritious food for our agencies and at the same time, reduce the amount of quality food going to landfill.
“Today, OzHarvest Canberra is working closely with 73 local community groups and 104 generous donors to feed people in need nutritious food. Our goal is to build a healthy and resilient community whilst reducing the impact on our environment.
“Over the two and a half year funding period, after the infrastructure was complete, OzHarvest Canberra diverted 1.1 million kilograms of food waste from landfill, saving over 2 million kilograms of greenhouse gas emissions being released. This funding increased our monthly food rescue by 14%, which is 31,291 kilograms of food waste prevented from entering landfill.”