Collingwood Football Club, the Victorian Employers’ Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VECCI) and the State Government have announced an extension to the Green Magpies program.
The Green Magpies was launched last year as part of the Carbon Down initiative, a climate change partnership between VECCI, the Victorian Government and its agency Sustainability Victoria.
The Green Magpies is a free program designed for small to medium sized businesses (SME) to help them reduce their carbon footprint Victoria via information, advice, and incentives on actions to take operating in a carbon economy. In just over 12 months the program has attracted 330 businesses from around Victoria. This year one of the Green Magpie businesses – Vega Press – won the Victorian Premier’s Sustainability Award.
Membership gives Green Magpies free access to the Grow Me The Money (GMTM) program, with the prospect of achieving significant carbon and cost savings. On average, GMTM’s 1,300 participants have saved $6,600 per year and reduced their carbon footprint by 15.4% or 28 tonnes.
The extension to the agreement will see Collingwood hosting a series of events and briefings in major regional centres around Victoria. Former Collingwood champion Shane Wakelin, and current player Darren Jolly are ambassadors for the program and will be involved in a series of briefings to encourage and help businesses to understand how they can reduce their environmental impact and save money in the process.
“Collingwood is proud to be a leader in Victoria in partnership with VECCI and the Victorian Government to encourage and support businesses to reduce their carbon footprint,” says Collingwood President, Mr Eddie McGuire.
Green Magpies ambassador Darren Jolly says, “Sustainability needs to be integrated into everything we do. The Green Magpies program helps, rewards and recognises SMEs who embrace innovation and seek to be leaders in the new carbon economy.”
“It is critical for us to get business involved if we are truly to tackle the issue of sustainability,” says Anita Roper, CEO of Sustainability Victoria. “Reducing the carbon footprint of Victorian businesses can make a significant contribution to improving Victoria’s overall environmental performance.”
