Voluntary sector must embrace carbon reduction

15 December 2008 | Volunteering Australia

Volunteering Australia CEO, Cary Pedicini, has called on Australia's 5.4 million volunteers to get behind the Federal Government's Carbon Reduction Scheme announced by the Prime Minister today.

"This is all about the future of our world and this initiative by the Federal Government deserves our support," Cary said. "Australia's volunteers have already shown their commitment to making the world a better place by their willingness to freely give their time. Volunteering Australia will embrace this call for carbon reduction and we urge all volunteers to look at ways they can help reduce carbon pollution."

"There are many challenges facing the voluntary sector at the moment. The global financial crisis is causing a growth in demand for voluntary services, particularly in the welfare area, whilst volunteer numbers are dropping with many volunteers challenged by the increasing costs of volunteering. But we have to be able to face the challenges and make sure we act personally as well as looking within our organisations at ways to reduce carbon pollution."

"Volunteering Australia hopes that the Federal Government will make funding available for volunteer based not-for-profit groups to better manage their carbon outputs, even at the smallest level, to help Australia reach their reduction targets."

"The voluntary force nationally is a group that is representative of all levels of society and if we can bring them together to better understand the importance of carbon pollution reduction then we have a great opportunity to reach a wide range of people and organisations. Collectively that represents an amazing cross section of Australia."

Volunteering Australia, with the support of the Federal Government, will work with the not-for-profit sector to develop collaborative projects that help meet the overall aim to reduce the creation of carbon pollution.

"Volunteers make a difference in people's lives everyday. Here is yet another way to make a contribution to the well being of Australia, now and into the future."

Contact for interviews etc

Peter Cocks
National Communications Manager
T: 03 9868-5519
M: 0417 398 232
E: peter.cocks@volunteeringaustralia.org

What is Volunteering Australia?

Volunteering Australia is the national peak body working to advance volunteering in the Australian community. Our role is to represent the diverse views and needs of the volunteer movement while promoting the activity of volunteering as one of enduring social, cultural and economic value.