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Programs for Businesses

Environmental upgrade finance: funding for green building upgrade projects

Sydney’s property owners can now fund building upgrades that improve environmental performance through City of Sydney’s newly introduced environmental upgrade finance scheme.

Environmental upgrade finance aims to help commercial property owners and tenants address their environmental impact, overcome key barriers to deliver environmental improvements and retrofits in existing buildings, and enjoy the benefit of lowered long-term operating costs for their tenants.

How does the scheme work?

This funding scheme is part of the NSW Government’s newly introduced Environmental Upgrade Agreement (EUA) legislation. It enables councils to enter into agreements with property owners and finance providers to fund environmental upgrade works. Funds advanced to the property owner are repaid by councils levying a charge on their land. When a charge payment is collected, the council then forwards that payment back to the finance provider. 

Environmental upgrade finance provides upfront access to capital with repayments made via the savings achieved in reduced energy bills. The scheme creates a mutually beneficial outcome for both property owners and tenants by allowing owners to share upgrade costs with tenants should they also benefit from reduced energy or water costs.

Find out more by downloading the City of Sydney's environmental upgrade finance fact sheet and FAQ document. You can read more about the legislation by visiting the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage website.

The greening of Sydney’s buildings: a changing landscape

The City has set ambitious carbon reduction targets of 70 per cent by 2030. Given that 98 per cent of today’s buildings will still be standing in 2030, it is vital that Sydney’s building stock is efficient, keeps pace with tenant expectations and joins the City in realising this carbon emission target.

Sustainable buildings deliver higher financial returns, have lower vacancy rates and a higher value than non-sustainable buildings. Leading property owners have therefore long recognised the value of retrofitting existing building stock and are reaping the benefits from an environmental, cost and tenant-demand point of view. With environmental upgrade finance, you too can join the green building revolution.

Applying for an EUA

 

Downloads and links

For more information please contact:

 

City’s environmental upgrade finance team
Tel: 02 9246 7843
Email: eua@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

 

CitySwitch Green Office

City Switch

CitySwitch Green Office is a national tenant energy efficiency program run in partnership between the cities of Sydney, North Sydney, Parramatta, Willoughby, Ryde, the ACT Government, Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne, Port Phillip, Yarra and Perth.

It is supported by state government agencies, the NSW Office of Environment & Heritage and Sustainability Victoria.   

How does it work?

The program works with commercial office tenants to address their carbon impact by improving energy efficiency. In making changes to everyday office energy use, businesses can save on operating costs and reduce their impact on the environment. To find out more, visit www.cityswitch.net.au

 

Smart Green Business

Smart Green Business is the City of Sydney’s environmental sustainability program for businesses to help them save on water, waste and energy costs.

The program provides FREE water assessments of your business and can support you in reducing energy and waste.

Smart Green Businesses is a program developed by City of Sydney, Sydney Water and the Office of Environment and Heritage.

The program offers:

  • FREE professional sustainability support; City Smart Green Business Advisors will work with you to develop an action plan to reduce your water, waste and energy bills and to improve your environmental sustainability
  • FREE assistance seeking government funding or rebates for water and energy upgrades (and locating contractors when applicable)
  • Reduced costs for water, energy and waste services through more efficient and sustainable use of resources
  • Access to the latest environmental sustainability information for your industry.

 

How much have we saved?

Smart Green Business has saved over 580kL water per day, saving costs of over $590,000 per annum for businesses.

On average, the program identifies 8.1kL of water savings that each business can make each day. Of this, the program saves an average of 5.4kL - which amounts to $5,900 of savings for each business!

Who is eligible?

This program is available to businesses using between 10 and 80kL of water per day.

To see if you are eligible, please refer to the bar graph on the back of your water bill. To arrange a free consultation, or for more information, click here to fill in the application form.

Contact us

For more information about Smart Green Business please contact the City's Sustainable Business Project team on SmartBusiness@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au or call 9265 9333.

Business success stories!

Read the following case studies from businesses who have joined the program and have already increased their efficiency and real dollar savings!

Downloads

 

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Green your business now

  • Find out about the City’s environmental upgrade finance scheme which is helping non-residential property owners fund building upgrades that improve environmental performance.
  • Encourage your organisation to commit to improved office energy efficiency and join CitySwitch Green Office.
  • Check water-efficiency programs for business managed by Sydney Water.
  • Check to see if your business is eligible for City of Sydney's free Smart Green Business water and energy saving assessments.
  • Click here for Sydney Water resources, including staff education programs, that will help you save water.
  • Click here for Sydney Water's water-saving check list.
  • Find out about Sydney Water's Smart Rinse program and how changing your spray rinse valves can save you money.
  • Check energy-efficiency programs for business managed by Energy Australia.
  • Check to see if your business is eligible for the Energy Efficiency for Small Business Program - available to businesses that use up to approximately $20,000 in electricity a year or have up to 10 employees.
  • Find out if your business is eligible for the Sustainability Advantage program. Call 02 8837 6000, email sustainbus@environment.nsw.gov.au or visit
    www.environment.nsw.gov.au/sustainbus for more information.
  • Switch off computer monitors when not used for extended periods.
  • Switch off lights, computers and appliances when you leave the office.
  • Enable Energy Star™ saving modes on computers and electrical appliances
  • Use laptop computers and/or LCD screens which use less energy than desktop models.
  • Ride or walk to work if that's an option. Use public transport.
  • Review your waste collections services, establish separate recycling for paper, plastics and containers, food scraps and printer cartridges.
  • Look out for City of Sydney E-waste collection days, chemical clean up days and other waste reduction and recycling initiatives.

 

The Business Guide to the Low Carbon Economy: New South Wales

This new guide provides practical steps for businesses to begin measuring and curbing greenhouse gas emissions from their operations.

The guide will help businesses improve their energy efficiency, reduce energy use and costs and includes clear and concise information about climate change policies and programs at all levels of government and explains how these policies may affect NSW businesses.

The information in this guide can help businesses ensure they are well placed to compete in a new low-carbon era.

The Business Guide to the Low Carbon Economy: New South Wales was commissioned by the NSW Government and prepared by The Climate Group and ARUP.

The Climate Group is one of the world’s leading NGOs focused exclusively on the solutions to climate change.

ARUP are an independent firm of designers, planners, engineers, consultants and technical specialists offering a broad range of professional services.

To access the guide visit: www.theclimategroup.org

To view PDF files you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer. Get Acrobat Reader Now. PDF Accessibility.

 

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Last Updated: Thursday 19 April, 2012

Please Note:
While care is taken to ensure accuracy, the City of Sydney cannot guarantee that information expressed here is correct and recommends that users exercise their own skill and care with respect to its use. The City of Sydney makes no warranty or undertaking, whether expressed or implied, nor does it assume any legal liability, whether direct or indirect.