'Livewell Yarra' low-carbon initiative launched

The first in a series of 'Livewell Clusters', intended to assist community members in reducing their carbon emissions, was launched at the City of Fitzroy Town Hall last night by City of Yarra Mayor Phillip Vlahogiannis.

The 'Livewell Yarra' project, funded by the CRC for Low Carbon Living (CRCLCL) and initiated by Curtin University's Dr Robert Salter, will recruit members of the Yarra community to work together in 'clusters', or groups, on activities to reduce their carbon footprint. For example, 'Decarb Groups' will work out what their own carbon footprint is and how to reduce it, while 'Project Groups' will focus on specific areas to make carbon reduction easier for everyone.

Dr Salter explained that community members joining the program will decide on and collaboratively work towards carbon-reduction targets with support from the CRCLCL, university researchers, the Yarra Energy Foundation, Yarra Council and other local organisations. Dr Salter said there are “many ways to live a low-carbon life … and they won't reduce your quality of life".

Yarra Energy Foundation CEO Sarah Johnson said the success of the project relies on getting people involved. Her organisation will therefore be “helping with promotion and reaching people who have already shown an interest in reducing emissions and living low-carbon lives".

CRCLCL CEO Professor Deo Prasad added that the CRC “is very interested in how local communities can move towards low-carbon living. A better understanding of what resonates at that level is important to support programs and interventions to lower carbon footprints."

The project will initially run from March to September. Once the CRC phase is over, it is intended that the Livewell Clusters will become a fully autonomous movement run by participants, connected with like-minded organisations and embedded in local communities

Originally published here.