Climate change is a pressing issue that affects us all. In our City, we are already experiencing the impacts of climate change, with higher temperatures lasting for longer, and adverse weather events becoming more intense.
The Federal Government’s first National Climate Risk Assessment has highlighted significant risks for businesses, with the potential for climate change impacts to disrupt operations, supply chains, and customer demand, raise insurance costs and reduce workforce productivity.
To lessen the impacts, the most important thing we can all do is prevent greenhouse gas emissions (also referred to as 'carbon emissions') from being released into the atmosphere as a result of our activities. Businesses can also plan for what will happen and develop strategies that will account for foreseeable impacts and identify opportunities.
Now more than ever, there is a need for the Australian business community to shift their focus to more efficient and sustainable operations and lower their exposure to climate change and energy price impacts.
Resources to help businesses:
- South Australian Government’s ‘Resources to help businesses to save energy' provides an overview of government and community programs that can help your business reduce the amount of energy and water it uses. The help could be through funding, advice and access to money saving initiatives.
- The CitySwitch program helps office-based businesses get to net zero emissions. Their website includes tools and resources that can help you each step of the way.
- If you have a hospitality business, avoiding food waste can help businesses and organisations to save time, money and resources. Green Industries SA provide advice and access to funding programs to assist businesses to reduce their food waste. Food businesses should consider introducing a commercial organics collection, allowing food waste and other organic materials to be composted here in SA.
- The Business Sustainability Program offered by Green Industries SA assists South Australian businesses and industry sectors to accelerate sustainable change and transition to a more circular economy. Experienced and knowledgeable project managers and advisers provide free advice, tools and guidance, and facilitate business-to-business connections and networking, basing our services on the principles of a circular economy. You can also check to see if you may be eligible for one of Green Industries SA’s grant programs.
- Eligible small businesses can access the City of Unley Community Renewables Bulk Buy program in early 2026. Register your interest to be notified when the offer opens here.
- Incorporate native plantings and support shady trees in and around your business. Trees cool the area, lower energy costs, boost foot traffic and encourage customers to linger longer. Look out for the City of Unley Green Car Parks Guide – coming soon.
Below are some practical and cost effective ways that you can reduce your businesses carbon footprint:
- install energy efficient lighting (LED or other energy-saving light bulbs) and switch lights off when they're not being used (either manually or via automatic sensors);
- purchase energy-saving office equipment e.g. computers, LCD monitors, printers and photocopiers;
- encourage staff to switch off all of their equipment at the end of the work day;
- improve insulation with energy efficient windows and doors;
- manage heating and cooling systems by turning the thermostat up or down by one or two degrees depending on the season to reduce energy demand. Set the thermostat up or down by 10 to 15 degrees at night when no one is around;
- maintain all equipment so it is working at its highest efficiency;
- promote sustainable travel to and from work and meetings, e.g. riding, walking, e-scooters, taking public transport;
- use energy-efficient or electric cars as fleet vehicles; and
- re-consider air travel requirements if online meetings can be held instead.
The City of Unley aims to be carbon neutral for its corporate emissions by December 2030. We are taking steps to actively reduce our impacts and help slow climate change.
Taking these measures will have a long-term positive impact on Council's operating budget by lowering the ongoing costs of fuel and electricity, reducing our vulnerability to price increases and improving our organisation's resilience as we transition to a low carbon economy.