Since its modest beginning just outside Daylesford in 1998, the Sustainable Living Festival has grown remarkably boasting well over 100,000 visitors and 300 talks, workshops and performances over two weeks. Now in its 14th year, the festival will shortly begin rolling out events at Federation Square and across Victoria, promoting sustainable living to the broader community.

The Gillard Government is committed to building a low carbon, sustainable future for all Australians. This year the Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency is partnering with the Festival organisers to continue discussions about the practical steps we can take individually, but also collectively, as we move to a clean energy future.

Taking action on climate change, reducing carbon pollution and energy use, and living and working more sustainably, are all important to ensuring Australia’s future health and prosperity.
Over the festival fortnight we’ll be highlighting Australia’s commitment to addressing these issues through the Gillard Government’s Clean Energy Future (CEF) plan – putting a price on carbon, investing in renewables, energy efficiency and land-based activities.

By adopting sustainable living we can also benefit economically. As we move towards new, clean technologies our industries and businesses can improve their competitiveness, efficiency and create new job opportunities. I strongly encourage visitors to drop-in on the CEF pavilion and learn more about the many individuals, communities and businesses, big and small, acting now to reduce their carbon pollution, save on energy costs and to help tackle climate change. To learn more about the CEF plan before the festival, here’s a useful link to the website for you to check out.
Enjoy the festival and all it has to offer!

Greg Combet AM MP
Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency