The Rudd Labor Government will provide $75 million for the Re-tooling for Climate Change competitive grants program as part of the Government's Clean Business Australia initiative.
This initiative demonstrates the Government's commitment to working in partnership with Australian industry to meet the challenge of climate change through innovation.
The program will complement other measures by supporting Australian manufacturers to improve their production processes, reduce their energy use and cut carbon emissions.
Australian small and medium-sized manufacturers will be able to apply for grants from $10,000 to $500,000 to support initiatives such as improving the energy-efficiency of their operations; investing in energy-efficient manufacturing tools; improving insulation and recovering waste heat; investing in small-scale cogeneration plants that capture waste energy and use it to produce electricity on site; and cutting water wastage, including through stormwater capture and improving water recycling.
Small and medium-sized manufacturers will also be able to access expert advice on how to improve their energy-and water-efficiency through the Rudd Government's $100 million national network of Manufacturing Centres – part of the Enterprise Connect initiative.
Larger manufacturing companies will also be able to apply for grants under the Re-tooling for Climate Change initiative with funding to be considered on a case by case basis.
Re-tooling for Climate Change is part of the Clean Business Australia initiative – a $240 million partnership between Government and business to deliver energy-and water-efficient projects with a focus on productivity and innovation. Other programs under Clean Business Australia are the:
- Green Building Fund; and
- Climate Ready.
Final details of the program will be developed in consultation with stakeholders.
More information on this program can be found at www.ausindustry.gov.au.
Media contact: Catriona Jackson, Minister's Office, 0417 142 238