Greater Bendigo Climate Collaboration

The Greater Bendigo Zero Emissions Roadmap contains the 35 key projects required to reach zero emissions as a city by 2030, as well as 50 key advocacy positions. The roadmap covers topics such as:

• Energy
• Transport
• Food and Agriculture
• Circular Economy
• Nature

The Greater Bendigo Zero Emissions Roadmap was adopted by the council on the 25th of September 2023.

View the roadmap

The Greater Bendigo Climate Collaboration is working with the Central Victorian Greenhouse Alliance to prepare a Regional Zero Emissions Roadmap which will identify the priority emission reduction projects and advocacy initiatives for the Loddon Campaspe, Mallee and Grampians regions. Preparation of the Roadmap is being funded by Regional Development Victoria. 

Receive support to create a zero emissions roadmap for your business

Join the Beat the Power Bills Program, become a member of the Greater Bendigo Climate Collaboration and receive one year’s support to:

• Take control of your energy costs
• Benefit from collective projects in the energy and transport transition 
• Reduce power, gas and fuel bills now
• Plan for the renewable energy transition by 2030

Beat the bills program information

Two other opportunities for Bendigo businesses

Are you a large energy user? Join our Business Renewables Buying Group.

The City of Greater Bendigo recently signed up to participate in and support large energy using businesses to set up a collective Power Purchase Agreement. The program aims to support business to procure renewable energy. As part of the program we are working alongside 30 other councils in Victoria to promote the benefits of switching to renewable electricity.  If your business is spending over $100,000 per annum on electricity and is interested in the program, please let us know. Or come along to the Beat The Power Bills Launch to find out more.

Interested in collaborating with other businesses on the electric vehicle transition?

Join our Electric Fleet and Freight Working Group.

The transition to electric vehicles is coming fast. It is also frustratingly slow for industries making 20 year investment decisions now on heavy vehicles. We are setting up a working group of Greater Bendigo businesses to advocate for change, create local collective projects and stay ahead of the curve. Keen to join? Contact Ian McBurney on 0408 512 234 or email [email protected]

We are developing Climate Action Plans that households can use to help celebrate climate actions to date, undertake short term climate actions and plan for zero emissions by 2030.

To reduce climate-changing emissions across the Greater Bendigo area and the wider Loddon Campaspe region to zero by 2030.

• To bring together different sectors of Greater Bendigo to create and enhance city-scale climate projects
• To bring together regional stakeholders to identify, collaborate on and advocate for regional climate projects
• To host a nationally significant Greater Bendigo Climate Summit that puts our city on the path to zero emissions
• To create significant local and regional economic development opportunities from climate action
• To deliver a project that supports Aboriginal self-determination in practice by advancing Traditional Owner values and aspirations for healing Country
• To turn this three-year project into an ongoing climate collaboration up to 2030
• To build a movement that supports people, communities and businesses in Greater Bendigo and the broader region to collaborate towards zero emissions
• To assist homes and businesses to act on climate change in the short term and to move to zero impact by 2030

• Common interests: We recognise that responding to climate change and environmental sustainability is everyone’s business. 
• Environmental justice: the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, colour, national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies.  
• Innovation: We are committed to building a movement and to supporting radical local climate action commensurate with the scale required to reverse climate change.  
• Sustainability: We are committed to sustainability in all aspects of our work together, in the processes we use and the outcomes we deliver. 
• Shared leadership: We are committed to leading together on climate change. We recognise that creating and advocating for a zero emissions city is the shared responsibility of the people and organisations of Greater Bendigo.  
• Working in partnerships: We work as partners with our community, with businesses, schools and organisations and across our region. As partners we listen, respect and encourage participation.     
• Strengths-based approach: We are active participants and are committed to bringing all our resources and influencing opportunities to the project. Everybody contributes and does their bit. We focus on solutions and we build on existing work and achievements.  
• Shared learning: We bring all we know, including our expertise and experience of what has worked in other collaborations to the project and share our learnings. We are committed to constantly reviewing what works and what doesn’t to maximise climate action and emissions reductions, and to change our approach accordingly. 
• Climate change in all policies, programs and projects: We are committed to taking climate action at all levels including in our own households, businesses and other areas of influence and to ensuring a climate action lens and the pursuit of zero emissions is front and centre of our lives. 
• Traditional Owners central in climate action on Country: We are committed to an overarching principle of Traditional Owner empowerment that connects all areas, partners and projects within the Climate Collaboration.

Our Governance Group guides the strategic direction and delivery of the Greater Bendigo Climate Collaboration. Governance Group members include representatives of the following organisations:

• City of Greater Bendigo
• Dja Dja Wurrung Aboriginal Clans Corporation
• Bendigo and Adelaide Bank
• RACV Solar
• Agnico Eagle
• La Trobe University
• Coliban Water
• DEECA
• Bendigo Youth Council
• Central Victorian Greenhouse Alliance
• Be.Bendigo
• Bendigo Sustainability Group

Partners provide expertise, experience, resources and financial support

• Collaboration lead: City of Greater Bendigo
• Major Partners: Agnico Eagle, RACV Solar
• Founding Partners: Bendigo Bank, Coliban Water, La Trobe University
• Premium Partners: North Central Catchment Management Authority, CVGT Australia
• Community Partners: Bendigo Sustainability Group, ACF Community Bendigo District, Bike Bendigo, Bendigo Foodshare

The Greater Bendigo Climate Collaboration team works from the City of Greater Bendigo offices. It includes:

• Collaboration Co-ordinator: Ian McBurney
• Senior Climate projects Officer: Verity Lougoon
• Team Manager: Michelle Wyatt. Manager, Climate Change and Environment Unit

The Greater Bendigo Climate Collaboration is aiming to set Greater Bendigo on the path to zero emissions by 2030. 

In 2022, the Collaboration:

• established a Governance Group and employed a project team
• ran forums on renewable energy and transport (which collectively cover 80% of the City’s emissions)
• engaged with faith leaders, the development industry, community service organisations and the business sector
• engaged at least 500 people in workshops and focus groups. 

2023 will be a big year for acting on climate emissions across Greater Bendigo. In 2023 the Collaboration will:

• Further engage our community to gain input into emission reduction opportunities across Greater Bendigo 
• Run a Regional Zero Emissions Forum on March 16 in Castlemaine
• Draft and finalise Zero Emissions Roadmaps for Greater Bendigo Land the wider region 
• Roll out the Beat the Power Bills support program for businesses. 
• Support schools and households with climate action plans
• Host the Greater Bendigo Climate Summit on May 26 and 27.