VCOSS Quick Guide: Going Green on a Budget

The Going Green on A Budget Quick Guide is an online resource providing relevant information on organisational environmental sustainability for not-for-profit and community sector organisations.

Information and resources
Want to know where to start improving the sustainability of your organisation?

Sustainability Victoria offers ‘where to start’ action plan via the ResourceSmart website. For more information, you can view their publications about energy, waste, recycling, water, behaviour change and more.

Grow Me the Money is designed as a start point for small/medium, regional/metropolitan businesses who want to improve their sustainability (and save money!).

The NABERS website offers suggestions and strategies for reducing water use.

Auditing and assessment
Want an assessment of your offices’ environmental impacts?

NABERS is a performance based operations assessment that allows organisations to calculate and compare their footprint. Carry out a self assessment using NABERS auditing guidelines and then generate an online assessment by using the NABERS calculator OR

Find an accredited NABERS auditor in your area. This list is made up of private businesses who may or may not offer discounts for NGOs/NFPs. For assessments that are more cost neutral, consider one of the following.

Monash Sustainability Institute offers the auditing services of ‘Green Steps’ students, who have been trained in auditing and organisational sustainability and are available for placements of  a minimum of 12 days. Placements are charged on a sliding scale, with discounts for NFP/NGO organisations and costs negotiable. VCOSS hosted a Green Steps student in 2009.

EcoSteps  are a ‘sustainability partner’ organisation who offer a range sustainability services and specialise in developing and implementing change programs. They have offered their services to NGOs and NFPs at “substantially reduced fee rates” or pro-bono and have a commitment to supporting community organisations.      

Training
Want to learn how to guide your organisation toward more sustainable practices?

Green Steps @ Work is a training program offered by Monash Sustainability Institute that provides professionals with the skills and understanding to address the environmental impact of their organisation. This program is offered to NFPs at a 50% discount. 

Policies and procedures
Want a template for an environmental policy? Hesta super fund has developed one that can be used as a starting point.
Is your lease coming up for renewal? Or do you own your building? Find the Australian government’s ‘best practice’ guidelines to owning / occupying.

Grants and funding
Sustainability Victoria offers a summary of grants and rebates available to Victorian Businesses.
The Victorian Government also has a summary of grants available to organisations for sustainability.  

Case studies
Want some inspirational examples of what can be done?
Grow me the money: http://www.growmethemoney.com.au/SuccessStories
Eco Steps: http://www.ecosteps.com.au/content.asp?id=26
Resource Smart http://www.resourcesmart.vic.gov.au/for_businesses/case_studies.html