First National Real Estate has introduced a new Energy Efficiency programme to its 450 plus Australian members and aligned itself with environmental group, Greening Australia, and building advisory service Archicentre, to help educate the general public on becoming energy conscious.
" This is just the beginning of what we see as a major process for First National Real Estate " said First National Real Estate CEO Ray Ellis, "we have launched an energy efficiency programme to our members across Australia and are including sustainability reporting as part of our Best Practice Quality Assurance accreditation. We will give an award each year to the First National member that has made a significant change in their energy efficiency."
At the launch of the network’s new Energy Efficiency initiative at First National’s head office, Mr Ellis also presented Greening Australia with a cheque for $22,000 in recognition of the work it does protecting and restoring the health, diversity and productivity of the Australian landscape.
President of Greening Australia, well known and respected Australian television personality and geomorphologist, Rob Gell and Greening Australia CEO Carl Carthy accepted the cheque on behalf of Greening Australia and were impressed with the level of knowledge and understanding from First National management.
"First National Real Estate has really grasped the notion that to be sustainable a lot of concentrated effort and dedication is required from all levels of management," Mr Gell said.
"The forward thinking of organisations like First National Real Estate is what is required to make the words a sustainable future take on real meaning and to leave a planetary inheritance we can all truly be proud of."
First National Real Estate members have kits containing a manual full of tips, advice and information on ‘sustainable’ practices to assist members to operate their businesses in an environmentally friendly manner as well as documentation to educate their local homeowners about how to reduce energy consumption around their home.
"As First National Real Estate members, we are involved with communities on the ground and are ideally placed to spread this very important message" said Stewart Bunn, National Communications Manager from First National Real Estate. Tools available through First National members will include the "Energy Saving Guidebook" developed with Archicentre, and an "Australian Native Plants for your Backyard" booklet, written in conjunction with Greening Australia, and a website full of tips, videos and information on becoming energy conscious.
"This issue of becoming energy conscious is so important, we need to find every way of communicating it to the public," said Stewart Bunn. "We are looking forward to be able to work in our office, with our clients and tenants and with our communities, to help people understand that energy efficiency is the beginning of more sustainable business and more sustainable living" said Stewart Bunn.
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