Sydney’s restaurants, cafes and hotels have embraced a new program launched by the City of Sydney aimed at promoting community leadership on environmental issues.
More than 120 businesses across various categories have become GreenLeaders as part of the council’s latest move as part of its Sydney 2030 commits City of Sydney to a 50 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and the City is introducing medium and long term programs to help cut emissions and promote energy efficiency.
"Residents have told us they want our city to be green, global and connected and initiatives like GreenLeaders will make it easier for local businesses to be part of that transformation", said Lord Mayor Clover Moore MP.
"By joining GreenLeaders businesses can show their green credentials, address the problems of sustainability and act as leaders in their local communities".
Local business from the hospitality industry to already have joined the program include the Three Weeds Hotel, Balkan Seafood Restaurant, Bar Milazzo, Bar Zoppola, Battuta Café, Beauchamp Hotel, Benz on York Café, Bills, Bluestone Café, Cafe Valletta, Catina Bar and Grill, Chi Ban Restaurant, Cocos Patisserie, Columbian Hotel, Erskinville Hotel, Fa Coffee on Oxford, Faith Café, Gloria Jean's Coffee, Haymarket Chinese Restaurant, Hokka Hokka, Hudson Meats Group Pty Ltd, iCafe' & Restaurant, Kabuki Shoroku Japanese Restaurant, Kawa and The Goods Organic, Michel's Patisserie, Minh Hai BBQ, More! Espresso Bar, Mother Chris Vegetarian Kitchen, New Tai Yuen Restaurant, O Organic Produce, Regal Restaurant, Rung Puang Thai VDO & Sweets, Sakuratei Japanese Restaurant, Split Watermelon, Sugarbean Café, Tart Café, Teppan Yake Japanese Restaurant, The Whitehorse, Tin Hong, and Vermicelli.
There are only 25 places left in the GreenLeaders program for 2008.
There is no cost to businesses joining GreenLeaders, with City of Sydney securing a grant from the NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change for the program in 2008.
It is estimated GreenLeaders could help businesses save up to 20 per cent on their water consumption, reduce waste by 15 per cent and in some cases save hundreds of dollars of operating costs, simply by improving energy efficiency.
GreenLeaders participants set targets for reductions in water, energy and waste over 12 months, with workshops and monitoring conducted by sustainability consultants Village Green throughout the year.
"Businesses participating in the program will also be able to share their experiences at workshops and promote their actions as an example to other local businesses as well as residents" said Moore.
Businesses wanting to join GreenLeaders are encouraged to contact City of Sydney's Sustainability Unit