Government-funded digital platform helping businesses slash costs   

• ecoBiz online program reducing energy, water and waste bills
• $10.3 million over three years to assist hundreds of small-to-medium businesses  
• Cleaner Queensland presents economic bonanza for businesses

The Miles Government is launching another innovative online program to further help the state’s 450,000 small businesses cut energy costs, emissions and waste.

The free ecoBiz digital platform and carbon module, run in partnership with Business Chamber Queensland, will assist businesses with fewer than 200 full-time workers to become environmentally responsive, supply-chain ready and economically sustainable.

The initiative includes funding of $10.3 million over three years from the $1.1 billion Recycling and Jobs Fund.

The online program, an extension of a decade long partnership between the State Government and Business Chamber Queensland, provides businesses with practical solutions to reduce their energy, water and waste, and leading them to save on running costs.

Early results show that on average operators have improved their energy consumption by one-fifth, water use by one-third and reduced waste by almost one-half, saving thousands of dollars.

Recent independent modelling by Deloitte found Queensland’s 75% emissions reduction target presents the state with a $430 billion economic opportunity, including $270 billion in new investment and 145,000 jobs in 2050.

For more on the ecoBiz program, visit Business Chamber Queensland website.

Quotes attributable to Minister de Brenni:

"I was raised in a small business household, so I know how important it is that government helps make doing business easier.

“The Miles Government is proud of our support for small business, and ecoBiz is one more way we can help reduce costs.

“When we help businesses decarbonise, they save money, and that flows through to more affordable products for consumers, which is good for everyone.”

Quotes attributable to Heidi Cooper, CEO Business Chamber Queensland:

“We have been leading the accelerated adoption of sustainable business practices in Queensland for more than a decade and the ecoBiz program has been critical in helping businesses become more sustainable and reduce their water, waste and energy consumption.

“Last financial year alone ecoBiz businesses, saved the equivalent of 4000 households in energy, 2,400 households worth of waste and 41 Olympic swimming pools of water.

“This equates to a reduction in emissions equivalent to taking 8,400 passenger vehicles off Queensland roads for a year.

“The carbon module extends the ecoBiz offering to further future-proof business, and helps businesses respond to evolving consumer, market, supply chain and investor expectations. 

“It means businesses will have access to a fit-for-purpose, contemporary and effective tool, to guide and support them to reduce their carbon emissions become more sustainable - and all free-of-charge.

“The ecoBiz program has been developed by business for business, and our team of business sustainability experts work with businesses every day to understand what they need to be sustainable and competitive now and in the future.

“This ecoBiz platform and carbon module is a direct response to business needs and we’re so proud to be able to continue leading Queensland businesses on their sustainability journey.”

ENDS