The first stage of the Government’s $27.7 million ‘Climate Ready’ grants has been rolled out with 32 projects for reducing carbon pollution and saving water receiving dollar for dollar sums.
The grants are part of the Government’s ‘Clean Business Australia’ initiative — a $240 million partnership, over four years, between the Government and industry to deliver energy and water-efficient projects with a focus on productivity and innovation.
The first stage of the funding has been offered to projects that include wind turbine production, native tree plantations to reduce carbon pollution, water saving solutions, and technology for saving power in standby mode. Grants for this round range from $80,000 to $5 million.
The minister for innovation, industry, science and research, Senator Kim Carr, said the projects that have received the first-round grants involve around 400 people.
“The strong response to the program demonstrates the willingness of our innovative businesses to embrace the challenge of combating climate change,” he said.
“Not only have these 32 innovative projects identified ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but each will help boost the economy in the midst of the global financial crisis.
“The projects will involve around 400 jobs, many of which will be high-wage and high skilled — jobs that may not have been supported without ‘Climate Ready’.”
Senator Carr said the plan gives innovative companies an opportunity to create new industries by turning good ideas into commercial reality.
“Climate Ready provides businesses with the support needed to overcome both environmental and financial obstacles,” he said.
“It is about working in partnership with industry to support our best green ideas and in turn creating high-wage, high-skill jobs.”