The success of Low Carbon Living - Blue Mountains has inspired the Blue Mountains World Heritage Institute to launch Low Carbon Living nationwide on 22 March 2018.

The Low Carbon Living national program encourages hotels, cafes, restaurants, tourism operators and community organisations in tourism hotspots such as the Southern Highlands and the Hunter Valley to lower their carbon footprint by reducing waste, energy consumption and water use.

Other regions well positioned to quickly benefit from Low Carbon Living include the Margaret River- Busselton region, Byron Bay, Central Australia and Kangaroo Island.

Ecotourism Australia is supporting the initiative, together with UNSW Sydney’s Cooperative Research Centre for Low Carbon Living.

“We’re doing this to support communities, businesses and individuals who want to take positive steps to address climate change,” said Blue Mountains World Heritage Institute executive director Dr John Merson.

Thirty businesses in the Blue Mountains joined the Low Carbon Living pilot program. Each business was rated on its waste output and energy and water use, and provided with recommendations on how to lower their carbon footprint.

“We now have over 80 businesses involved in Low Carbon Living, Blue Mountains, and we expect the initiative will be equally successful in the Southern Highlands and other regions,” Dr Merson said.

“This program empowers everyone to address climate change by making positive decisions about their use of resources, where they shop and what services they support.”

Dr Merson said research undertaken as part of the LCL program shows 82% of visitors and 91% of residents would choose a local business that has made an effort to reduce its carbon footprint.

The research also found 50% of visitors would choose a low carbon destination over one not known for reducing its carbon impact.

To attend the Low Carbon Living national program launch, please register here.