For two decades, Sustainability Victoria has supported all Victorians to adapt and thrive as we shift to a cleaner, climate resilient circular economy.
From behaviour change campaigns centred around trusted community leaders to on-the-ground interventions that prioritise social equity, we're committed to bringing all Victorians on a journey towards sustainability.
Employing Victorians to deliver change
Low-income households face a paradox when it comes to energy efficiency: draught proofing and efficient appliances require large upfront costs which can be difficult to save for, but not making these changes results in more expensive power bills. In simple terms: you need to spend money to save money.
In 2006, Sustainability Victoria set out to challenge this paradox by establishing the Energy and Water Taskforce. With low-income households spending up to 7% of annual income on energy bills compared 3% for average households, the taskforce aimed to help low-income households benefit from lower bills and increased comfort offered by energy and water saving devices. The program also provided skills and training for people who were long term unemployed.
Between 2006 and 2013 the taskforce retrofitted more than 9000 homes with energy and water saving devices. The taskforce was delivered through not-for-profit partners like the Brotherhood of St Lawrence and Mission Australia.
Stan Krpan CEO of Sustainability Victoria from 2012-2019, reflected on the importance of programs focused on social equity.
'For me the environment and sustainability are about people and not just the environment. And so, to be able to bring those two things together was firstly a real privilege, but also critically important to the whole definition of a holistic environmental sustainability approach.'
The taskforce saved Victorians hundreds off annual electricity bills as well as saving significant amounts of water and preventing tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions.
