Nonprofit organisations gain government support for energy efficiency plans

A new government initiative will see the delivery of several hundred million dollars in funds to assist community groups, local councils and nonprofit organisations to become more energy efficient.

The Community Energy Efficiency Program will be making $200 million available to stakeholders in these sectors to assist in implementing upgrades to existing infrastructure.

On top of this, the Energy Efficiency Information Grants Program will have $40 million allocated to it to provide "clear information from trusted sources" to both small to medium enterprises and community groups.

In essence this means that charity organisations are set to receive a mix of detailed information on energy efficiency from relevant institutions, as well the funds required to begin changing their infrastructure to support more green initiatives.

As well as these measures, a further $100 million has been put aside by the federal government for the Low Income Energy Efficiency Program.

This is a merit-based initiative that is aimed at bringing together community organisations with both government organisations and private enterprises to "trial approaches to improve the energy efficiency of low income households" while also providing extra education on effective energy management.

While local councils have recently begun to lead the way in energy efficient design at a community level, it has been less of a pressing concern for Australian charities, which generally aim to serve their stakeholders as best they can.

However the new programs mean that they will be able to gain access to both the information and financial support they need to begin delivering improvements in energy efficiency.

In a joint statement issued on February 9 by the minister for climate change and energy efficiency Greg Combet with the cabinet secretary for climate change Mark Dreyfus and the minister for local government Simon Cream, the government explained the program would help to "drive smarter energy use in business, local government, households and communities".

The release asserted: "The programs will enable all Australians regardless of where they live or how much they earn to harness the opportunities of a low-carbon future.

"They will be delivered in partnership with business, councils and community groups."

While community groups have previously relied on technology donations and pro-bono support to make changes to infrastructure, stakeholders have been invited to apply directly from February 13.