MORE QUEENSLAND BUSINESSES GOING GREEN

Queensland businesses are taking up the climate change challenge with vigour and the results will have great benefits for Queenslanders and the environment, Environment Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr told Parliament today.

Ms Nelson-Carr said to date over 250 businesses across Queensland have joined the EPA’s ecoBiz program.

“This visionary program helps business identify and invest in environmentally sustainable business practices and technologies.

“Companies across the state are not only demonstrating that improved environmental performance equates to financial savings, they are investing in their long term viability as limited resources become ever-more scarce and costly.

“The Beattie Government sees the ecoBiz program as the way forward.”

Ms Nelson-Carr said ultimately, cutting resource consumption improves productivity and makes these companies more competitive.

“Sustainable companies also reap a range of other benefits including reduced risk, improved public profile and shareholder satisfaction.

“The Beattie Government has already issued $1.53 million in rebates to ecoBiz companies to help them implement smarter, cleaner technologies.

“Collectively, these projects have the potential to save 577 megalitres of water which is equivalent to 12,000 backyard swimming pools, enough energy to power 1,700 homes for a year, and reduce solid waste by 15,000 tonnes.

“They also have the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 17,840 tonnes, equal to taking 4,460 cars off the road for 12 months.”

Ms Nelson-Carr congratulated Queensland businesses who have joined the Ecobiz program and said she looked forward to seeing more of them on the books in the future.

More information on the ecoBiz program can be found at www.epa.qld.gov.au

Media contact: Karla Steen on 3336 8004 or Andie Gatti on 3336 8002