A local government emissions reduction project has been recognised at the LG Pro Awards for Excellence,
The Victorian Energy Collaboration (VECO) won the Sustainability Initiative Category at the awards ceremony recently held at the Melbourne Convention Centre.
Brimbank is one of 46 Victorian councils signed onto VECO – the largest ever emissions reduction project by local government in Australia.
VECO, led by Darebin council, provides these councils their electricity requirement with 100 per cent renewables, reducing greenhouse emissions by 260,000 tonnes of CO2-E every year. That’s the equivalent of powering 48,000 homes with renewables, or removing emissions from 90,000 cars every year.
Additionally, the collaboration has reduced each of the council’s current energy bills by using clean renewable energy generated.
Brimbank mayor Jasmine Nguyen congratulated Darebin council for its leadership in this innovative project.
“Since joining VECO back in July 2021, Brimbank Council has powered all its electricity needs with 100 per cent renewable energy, including street lights and buildings large and small,” Cr Nguyen said.
“I’d also like to acknowledge the Western Alliance for Greenhouse Action for its local leadership and management of this significant sustainability initiative. It has helped secure long-term renewable electricity contracts for VECO members, which is particularly important at this time of major uncertainty in the energy market.”
