SV20: Helping communities keep pace with government and industry

As first movers in business, industry and government rapidly shape what sustainability looks like in our future, we’re helping the community keep pace. We’ve spent two decades looking ‘beyond the converted’ to ensure we match the efforts of government and industry with opportunities to act – and the right sustainable behaviours – in every household and community.

From behaviour change campaigns centred around trusted community leaders to on-the-ground interventions that prioritise social equity, we’re committed to bringing all Victorians on a journey towards sustainability.

Employing Victorians to deliver change

Low-income households face a paradox when it comes to energy efficiency: draught proofing and efficient appliances require large upfront costs which can be difficult to save for, but not making these changes results in more expensive power bills. In simple terms: you need to spend money to save money.

In 2006, Sustainability Victoria set out to challenge this paradox by establishing the Energy and Water Taskforce. With low-income households spending up to 7% of annual income on energy bills compared 3% for average households, the taskforce aimed to help low-income households benefit from lower bills and increased comfort offered by energy and water saving devices. The program also provided skills and training for people who were long term unemployed.

Between 2006 and 2013 the taskforce retrofitted more than 9000 homes with energy and water saving devices. The taskforce was delivered through not-for-profit partners like the Brotherhood of St Lawrence and Mission Australia.

Stan Krpan CEO of Sustainability Victoria from 2012–2019, reflected on the importance of programs focused on social equity.

‘For me the environment and sustainability are about people and not just the environment. And so, to be able to bring those two things together was firstly a real privilege, but also critically important to the whole definition of a holistic environmental sustainability approach.'

The taskforce saved Victorians hundreds off annual electricity bills as well as saving significant amounts of water and preventing tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions.

Helping vulnerable Victorians to live sustainably

The Victorian Healthy Homes Program launched in 2018 and ran for 3 years. The program aimed to study the health benefits of warm and energy-efficient homes. One thousand homes of people on low incomes with high health needs were fitted with energy efficient appliances and insulation.

The study found minor upgrades resulted in benefits such as lower energy bills, reduced emissions, improved quality of life, and most importantly less healthcare utilisation. The results of the 3-year study showed that for every $1 saved in energy, more than $10 was saved in health spending.

Participant Heather reflected that the program allowed her to live comfortably and remain in her community.

‘Healthy Homes have come, and they’ve put in a new split system. So, it made a difference. I was able to stay in my home here. Have my friends and the neighbourhood and be able to enjoy being lovely and warm.’

Empowering multicultural communities to take action

As part of the Small Acts, Big Impact program Sustainability Victoria has worked to move beyond providing translated materials to ensure our messages reach multicultural audiences.

Victoria is Australia’s most multicultural state and many Victorians have low English proficiency. These factors have influenced how we think about audiences and how best to reach them.

Across several recycling and waste minimisation campaigns, Sustainability Victoria has engaged trusted community leaders to deliver grassroots outreach and communications that reflect cultural values and lived experiences. This includes attending community events, creating in-language activations and working with multicultural ambassadors to reach communities through trusted voices.

By going beyond translation, Sustainability Victoria addresses barriers to participation and understanding of the circular economy. This approach broadens the reach of our campaigns and ensures that all Victorians, regardless of cultural or linguistic background, feel represented and empowered to take positive action.

To ensure an equitable transition to circularity, Sustainability Victoria continues to work to bring the community on the journey, helping Victorians to participate and reap the benefits of our shift to a clean more sustainable economy.