Energy efficient online pledges

WHILE debate continues over the federal government's proposed emissions trading scheme, a new group has emerged to steer Western Australians toward a greener future.

Days of Change is a community based not-for-profit initiative led by chairman John Carlson and chief executive Julian Llich, which aims to have 16 million people around the world take steps to address climate change and reduce their impact on the planet by 2012.

Through a pledge system where participants generate a social networking profile and are given a card online that lists particular pledges to reduce their carbon footprint, Days of Change uses the internet and industry leaders to galvanise community actions and empower individuals to change the way they live.

Businesses that offer products and services aligned to specific pledges - such as solar hot water systems or insulation - can buy a pledge for 12 months, costing up to $50,000.

The business then works closely with the individual making the pledge to enable them to achieve that commitment.

The social networking-based program was launched this year with a budget of $100,000; however Days of Change has a projected budget of $1.8 million in 2010 through donations and corporate sponsorship, and a $3 million budget by 2011.

“This program empowers people in the community to take responsibility and enables them to work together to address a common threat," Mr Carlson said.

“Everybody doing something, however small, ultimately has a significant impact, because from small things, big things grow."

WA industry leaders Terry Budge, George Gear and John Wood this month joined the Days of Change board as the program prepares for a statewide launch in 2010.

Mr Budge, who is also chancellor of Murdoch University, said the program endeavoured to achieve significant behavioural change around people's use of energy and resources.

“It's a mass community program designed to reduce the impact of people on the planet and it allows people to take initiatives on their own behalf to do something about their use of resources personally," Mr Budge told WA Business News.

“How they do it is through a pledge system; you pledge to put in more efficient lights in your house, or you might put in a solar hot water system, put in insulation, or you might buy a more efficient car.

“Most of it will be driven over the internet; it engages everybody.

“I don't think it matters about the emissions trading scheme and where that's at, this is a system where people can have an impact themselves.

“If we waited around for the government to do everything for us, nothing is going to happen."

Mr Llich said WA's businesses and industry would play a critical role in the success of the program "because even the small changes that businesses make will have a significant impact on reducing the impact we are having on the planet".

“We are aware that many businesses are already taking significant steps to reduce their ecological footprint, and some are looking for support in taking action; the Days of Change program will provide a mechanism by which their efforts can be supported and recognised publicly," he said.

Mr Llich said only selected WA businesses could buy a pledge, with Days of Change business partners able to brand that pledge, thereby positioning themselves as an advocate and supporter as well as leveraging their own brand position.