OUR COMMITMENT


In 2010 Uniting Communities set out to become carbon neutral certified to benefit our organisation, our staff and most importantly the people we support each day - our clients across South Australia. We recognise the research that states that the impacts of climate change will most affect vulnerable people in our community, such as the elderly, socially disadvantaged and people on lower incomes.


We acknowledge the emerging impacts of climate change and believe that taking collective action towards a low carbon future is in the best interests of our clients, staff, volunteers and the wider community.


OUR INITIATIVES


Waste • Reduction in waste to landfill through improved recycling and organic waste management. • “Y-Print” campaign – staff commitment to reduction in printing and paper consumption


Power • Lighting upgrades to energy efficient LEDs • “Switch off” campaign – staff commitment to lowering emissions through switching off power sources when not in use, including PCs and monitors, lights and air-conditioning • Energy reviews of sites to identify areas of improvements


Fuel • Transition of company fleet to hybrid petrol-electric vehicles • Purchase of carbon offsets for fleet vehicles through CMI Toyota • “Drive Green” campaign to encourage staff to develop more fuel-efficient driving habits and purchases


• Joined Adelaide Carpool to encourage car sharing for employee commuting Plus purchase of Australian carbon credits in native vegetation to bring emissions to zero.


SAVINGS CO2


SAVED $55,000


30% 9% 


OVER


OVERALL CO2 REDUCTION


13%  79%


SAVED $60,000 SAVED $225,000


TOTAL APPROXIMATE ANNUAL SAVINGS


PROGRAM SAVINGS OVER


ELECTRICITY USE


Building upgrades Behaviour change initiatives


FUEL – COMPANY FLEET


Conversion to hybrid petrol-electric


WASTE TO


LANDFILL Improved waste management and education


$340,000 $1,500,000


These figures are approximate based on the reductions in unit values for each emissions source.


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