Bellarine Community Health (BCH) is continuing to commit to climate and health action through the Workplace Achievement Program.
The Achievement Program is an evidence-based health and wellbeing framework that helps workplaces and schools create a healthier environment.
The program is supported by the Victorian government and delivered by Cancer Council of Victoria.
BCH has already met all existing benchmarks under the program and is thrilled to have achieved recognition for the newest benchmark.
“We understand that climate change is already affecting our community and putting more stress on physical and mental health and safety,” BCH chief executive Garry Ellis said.
“That’s why we are prioritising the need to adapt to climate change and take action to reduce our carbon footprint.”
The Achievement Program identified targeted actions including increasing active travel, eating more plants, reducing waste, using less energy, connecting with nature and being climate-ready.
Among the actions BCH has taken:
• An energy audit of BCH sites
• Establishing an Environmental Sustainability Advisory Group
• Replacing individual staff bins with a centralised bin system to separate waste and improve recycling
• Fitting timers to hydronic heaters
• Decommissioning a high energy using cool room
• Installing an electric vehicle charger for free community use
• Supporting local primary schools with active transport activities
• Providing opportunities for young people to learn about sustainable food practices through the Youth Guerrilla Garden and Farm My School
