TAFE Western’s excellence in sustainability has been recognised after being named as one of two finalists in the prestigious Green Gown Awards in the category of Carbon Reduction.
Ecological Sustainability Coordinator Dr Lorne Butt said she was thrilled TAFE Western’s industry leading ideas and carbon saving measures were being commended as some of the best in Australasia.
“Thousands of entries for the Green Gown Awards were received from all across Australasia and for TAFE Western to be named as a finalist is pleasing and shows we take sustainability very seriously,” Dr Butt said.
“TAFE Western has been recognised for its fleet management reductions. In 2012, we reviewed our sustainability portfolio and data revealed an increasing trend in fuel consumption and travel, which in turn led to increasing fleet management costs and greenhouse emissions.
“A new approach was adopted which has seen TAFE Western reduce travel by 379,885 kilometres, reduce the amount of fuel purchased by 73,800 litres and our fleet-related emissions have reduced by 173 tonnes CO2e.
“Green vehicles also comprise more than 16 per cent of our current fleet.”
Relieving TAFE Western Institute Director Adam Bennett said this Green Gown Award recognition confirmed TAFE Western’s ongoing commitment to demonstrating leadership in ecological sustainability.
“TAFE Western has a wide variety of world-class sustainability practices in relation to education, training and how we run our business and it’s very satisfying that we continue to be recognised as an industry leader in this field,” he said.
Winners of the Green Gown Awards will be announced at a special ceremony on October 22, in Geelong, Victoria.
