Australia’s first carbon neutral kindergarten wins National Climate Award

Australia’s first carbon neutral kindergarten, located in the Melbourne suburb of Albert Park, has gained national recognition through the Cities Power Partnership Awards, which were held in Sydney late last week.

The Climate Council’s Cities Power Partnership Awards recognise the work of ‘climate heroes’ in local governments across the country who are transforming Australia’s energy landscape.

The Butterfly Project, a joint undertaking between Albert Park Kindergarten and City of Port Phillip, saw the kindergarten work with the council over a six year journey to become Australia’s first carbon neutral certified early childhood education and care (ECEC) service. The project was named Community Engagement Project of the Year at the awards.

David Craven, Director of the Cities Power Partnership congratulated Albert Park Kindergarten and City of Port Phillip on their win, saying that The Butterfly Project shows that meaningful action on climate change can be taken at every level of the community.

“Every part of the Australian community has an important role to play in tackling climate change, and The Butterfly Project shows how a partnership with the City of Port Phillip helped a little childcare centre realise their ambitious goal to reduce their climate impact,” he said.

A record number of entries were received for the 2019 awards, which Mr Craven said was reflective of the extent to which local governments are “emerging as a vital part of Australia’s climate solution.”

“From carbon-neutral kindergartens through to ambitious projects installing solar battery systems in thousands of homes and businesses, Cities Power Partnership councils are leading the way with practical local climate solutions.”

The Cities Power Partnership Awards celebrated outstanding work from local governments in the fields of renewable energy, energy efficiency, sustainable transport, community engagement and project funding as well as individual climate champion awards.