POINT Leo Surf Life Saving Club is one of two clubs chosen to follow a pilot program to reduce energy use and carbon emissions.
Point Leo and North Bondi Surf Life Saving Club are the first clubs in Australia to follow the new emission reduction program, Zero Positive.
The program is predicted to save costs for clubs and offer “tangible solutions to monitor and reduce carbon emissions” and ultimately lead to all Surf Life Saving Australia clubs achieve net-zero emissions.
Financed by the Surf Life Saving Innovation Fund, the program will allow the not-for-profit clubs to use energy cost savings “towards their mission of saving lives across the country”.
The energy and fuel use of the Point Leo and North Bondi clubs will be assessed through digital metering, internal surveys, education, analysis and reporting.
An education program in carbon literacy will be rolled out for staff, volunteers and stakeholders to assist the club in reducing, certifying and offsetting its carbon emissions.
Surf Life Saving Australia president John Baker ESM says the drive to reduce the organisation’s carbon footprint was led by the passion of its 190,000 club members around the country.
A further seven clubs across New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland will be added to the program this year.
This is the third initiative paid for by the Surf Life Saving Innovation Fund.
“The Surf Life Saving Innovation Fund offers our valued community members the opportunity to contribute to the movement via innovative ideas to solve real problems,” Baker said.
“The fund gives our donors specific projects where they can direct their donations, giving a clear picture of the difference their support is making.”
Details about the fund are at: slsinnovation.com.au To find out more about Zero Positive: zeropositive.org/
First published in the Mornington News – 4th July 2023
