Community emission reduction projects

Carbon Neutral Communities
NAGA is one of the industry partners for the Carbon Neutral Communities research project (2007-2009) being led by RMIT's Centre for Design. The project is funded by an Australian Research Council Linkage Grant.
The research aims to:
1. Identify carbon neutral potential, and social, economic, cultural and capacity barriers to achieving this potential;
2. Assess the application of established techniques to address such barriers and provide practical solutions to carbon transition;
3. Develop and test strategies for building the capacity needed to facilitate the breakthrough required in achieving carbon neutral communities by 2020, the key date in The National Greenhouse Strategy ; and
4. Disseminate this knowledge to project stakeholders and the wider community.
For more information on the research project click on this link to the CNC website

Vic 1000 Sustainable Business Project
The Vic 1000 project, for which Village Green received funding from the Sustainability Fund was delivered across the NAGA region in 2007-8.
The project involved working with groups of small businesses to create 'sustained behavioural change' in relation to sustainability while at the same time providing cost savings, increased community involvement and reduced environmental impact.

Northern Metropolitan Sustainability Street
With funding from the Victorian Government's Community Support Fund, NAGA delivered the 3 year 'Strengthening Communities - Sustainability Street Northern Metropolitan Melbourne Community Greenhouse Action' during 2006-8. The project brought together the twin objectives of community building and sustainable living (focused on waste, water and energy). The project was delivered in partnership with Vox Bandicoot across the NAGA region in the Cities of Darebin, Melbourne, Moreland and Whittlesea and demonstrated the exciting achievement of a ''critical mass'' of community capacity building, greenhouse action, sustainability innovation and neighbourhood linking in the northern suburbs of Melbourne.

EcoSmart Electricians
In 2005, NAGA received funding from Australian Greenhouse Office's Community Abatement Assistance Grant for Energy Services Sector Development - Green Electricians. The pilot project delivered information sessions for electrical contractors and related services across the NAGA region. Participants were provided with $200 worth of free energy efficient technologies for installation in homes and workplaces. The sessions educated participants about greenhouse issues and helped build their capacity to integrate energy efficiency advice into their services. The project combined a series of introductory seminars with a more in-depth 2-day training course in energy efficiency.

The National Electrical and Communications Association (NECA), the peak body for Electrical Contractors across Australia, has now developed a program to train licensed electricians nationally in energy efficient and environmentally friendly electrical products, technology and installations.

EcoSmart electricians provide customers whether they be residential, commercial or industrially based with the best options for energy efficiency outcomes. For more information go to the EcoSmart Electricians website.

Home Energy Action
In 2003, NAGA received funding from DSE's Community Action Fund to deliver the Home Energy Action project that focused on training community volunteers and council officers to enable them to undertake energy audits.
As part of the Home Energy Assessment Training, 44 trainees completed the training, and 30 homes were audited in each of 6 NAGA municipalities. Post program feedback surveys indicated that participating households were reducing emissions by an average of 10%.

Business Energy Action
In 2003, NAGA received funding from DSE's Community Action Fund to deliver the Business Energy Action project, that focused on training community volunteers and council officers to enable them to undertake energy audits.
As part of the project, training sessions on audit techniques were provided to council officers, and subsequently 5 business energy audits were conducted in each of 6 municipalities. There was an average green gas reduction of 20% as a result of the project.