The Sustainability Initiative Award goes to the project that demonstrates excellence in the delivery of environmentally sustainable processes or projects.  

The winner of the Award, the Victorian Energy Collaboration (VECO) has enabled Glen Eira City Council and 45 other councils to switch to affordable, renewable energy under one long-term contract.

The project was initially led and coordinated by Darebin City Council and is now being overseen by Glen Eira City Council.

Through VECO, Glen Eira’s operations are powered by 100% renewable electricity, including street lights, libraries, leisure centres and electric vehicles.

VECO is the largest emissions reduction project ever undertaken by Australian local governments, saving 260,000 tonnes of carbon emissions from entering the atmosphere — the same as taking 90,000 cars off the road.

The VECO project doesn’t just benefit the environment — by joining together, each council will be paying less for their power than if sourcing their electricity individually.

Chief Executive Officer, Rebecca McKenzie, said she was pleased to see the collective efforts of councils recognised for this highly innovative project.

“The award recognises the benefits of councils coming together to use their joint purchasing power to help accelerate the transition towards renewable energy in Victoria,” she said.

“Buying 100 per cent renewables is cutting Council’s carbon emissions by over two-thirds, helping us deliver on our climate emergency commitments.”

Find out more about how we’re powering our operations with 100% renewable electricity through the Victorian Energy Collaboration (VECO).