Industry Minister, Kim Carr, has announced the first round of offers under the Climate Ready program totalling $27.7 million, involving about 400 people working on 32 new green projects.
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 strong response to the program demonstrates the willingness of our innovative businesses to embrace the challenge of combating climate change,” Senator Carr 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.
“Through Climate Ready, innovative companies have 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. “It is about working in partnership with industry to support our best green ideas and in turn creating high-wage, high-skill jobs,” Senator Carr said.
Climate Ready is part of the Rudd 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.
Climate Ready offers dollar-for-dollar support with grants from $50,000 to $5 million available to develop innovative solutions to climate change challenges.
A full list of the offer recipients is attached and can be found at www.ausindustry.gov.au. For further information on the Climate Ready program visit AusIndusty’s website at www.ausindustry.gov.au call the hotline 13 28 46 or email the hotline at hotline@ausindustry.gov.au