Alliance forms for zero emissions

LIKEMINDED local community groups, including Ballarat Renewable Energy and Zero Emissions or BREAZE, have united with an aim to promote and implement the Ballarat Zero Emissions 2030 Plan.

The groups have partnered under the name Ballarat Zero Emissions Alliance and BREAZE president Mary Debrett said members have a goal to help residents cut greenhouse gas emissions.

“BREAZE is committed to assisting householders to increase home energy efficiency by retro fitting and/or getting off gas and shifting to low emissions transport where possible,” she said.

“We will be working for the allocation of more resources to help low-income households to make their homes more energy efficient and cut their energy bills.

“We have a climate crisis but we also have a cost of living crisis. We can and must address both.”

Along with BREAZE the coalition includes the Ballarat Tool Library, Extinction Rebellion Ballarat, Repair Cafe Ballarat, The Hidden Orchard, and the Ballarat Permaculture Guild.

The groups will also aim to deliver a pilot home energy efficiency workshop series and support the establishment of Ballarat sustainability awards.

The Ballarat Zero Emissions Plan was developed by the City of Ballarat with stakeholders and was released last year.

Ballarat Tool Library spokesperson Greg Jakob said it’s important the City backs groups and initiatives working toward net zero by 2030.

“The Tool Library is committed to enabling members of the community to have access to tools in a sustainable way that contributes to the sharing of resources, a reduction in waste and in climate emissions,” he said.

Extinction Rebellion Ballarat member Miriam Robinson said there needs to be more ratepayer’s money put towards the issue.

“The climate emergency is here now,” she said. “While we commend the commitment to the Ballarat Net Zero Emissions by 2030 plan, the council is going to have to put a lot of work into it if it is going to become a reality.”