Australian manufacturers to tackle climate change

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, announced Sentator the Hon Kim Carr.

The program will complement other measures by supporting Australian manufacturers to improve production processes, reduce energy use and cut carbon emissions.

Australian small and medium-sized manufacturers will be able to apply for grants from $10,000–$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 energy and water efficiency through the 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.

For more information, visit www.ausindustry.gov.au.