What is BEDA's Carbon Kickstart?

Carbon Kickstart is a program led by BEDA in partnership with ecoBiz and Carbonhalo to help small to medium businesses in Brisbane's visitor economy start their carbon reduction journey.

 

Who can benefit from Carbon Kickstart?

Carbon Kickstart is perfect for small to medium-sized businesses in Brisbane’s visitor economy (although any business is welcome). If your business is based in Brisbane, Moreton Bay, Redlands, Logan, Ipswich, or Scenic Rim, and operates in one of the following industries, this program is for you:

Visitor Economy Industries:

• Accommodation
• Transport
• Arts and Recreation Services
• Food and Beverage Services
• Education and Training
• Retail

 

How Will My Business Benefit from Participating in Carbon Kickstart?

When you join BEDA's Carbon Kickstart, your business will enjoy a variety of benefits:

• Increased sales potential: With 78% of travellers and 79% of conference organisers seeking more sustainable options, aligning with customer demand can help boost your sales. Source: Consumer Demand Project, Tourism Australia and American Express Global and Business Travel Forecast.
• Save money: Taking action on your carbon footprint can reduce energy, waste, and water costs. On average, ecoBiz participants saved 21.8% on energy, 8.5% on water, and 5.4% on waste.
• Get Brisbane 2032 ready: Develop carbon emissions reports and action plans to meet procurement and supply chain reporting requirements for future opportunities, including the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Access free coaching and mentoring: Receive expert guidance from sustainability coaches and access the Brisbane Business Hub’s mentorship program to help you navigate your sustainability journey.

 

What Will My Business Get from Joining Carbon Kickstart?

By signing up for Carbon Kickstart, you will gain access to:

• Free and low-cost tools: Estimate your carbon emissions and create a tailored action plan to reduce them.
• Exclusive events and workshops: Learn from experts, decode the carbon jargon, and network with like-minded businesses to strengthen your sustainability efforts.
• One-on-one coaching: Benefit from personalised coaching with ecoBiz’s acclaimed sustainability program and mentorship through the Brisbane Business Hub.

 

How Much Time Will It Take?

• Quick and easy registration: It only takes a minute to sign up.
• Tool usage: The ecoBiz industry carbon tool can be completed in minutes. For more detailed estimates, it may take longer depending on your business data and complexity.
• Support and guidance: Both Carbonhalo and ecoBiz offer one-on-one assistance to help you understand your data and complete the calculation. Plus, you’ll be invited to events to further enhance your understanding of carbon reduction.

 

I Don’t Know Anything About Carbon, Can I Still Join?

Absolutely! Carbon Kickstart is designed for businesses starting their sustainability journey. We’ll guide you through the jargon, help you estimate your emissions, and get you started on reducing your footprint. Plus, you’ll receive one-on-one coaching to support you every step of the way.

If your business is already further along in its sustainability journey, feel free to dive straight into the Carbonhalo platform and take advantage of ecoBiz’s training hub for advanced support.

 

How Much Does It Cost to Join?

It’s completely FREE to join!

While there are both free and low-cost options to estimate your carbon emissions, all the core resources—events, coaching, and mentoring—are absolutely free.

 

I have a question, who can I email?

If you're interested to join Carbon Kickstart and have questions about the program, please email our friendly sustainability team at [email protected]. If you have already signed up to Carbon Kickstart and have a question about ecoBiz or Carbonhalo, please contact those organisations directly.

 

Already on Your Sustainability Journey? Check Out These Certification Options

If you're further along in your sustainability efforts, consider these reputable certifications and accreditations to enhance your credibility:

• EarthCheck Certification: Global recognition for sustainability excellence in the tourism industry.
• Ecotourism Australia Certification: Eco-accreditation for tourism businesses with a nature-focus, and sustainable tourism certification for all businesses operating in the tourism supply chain.
• Sustainable Tourism Accreditation: Queensland Tourism Industry Council's accreditation program covering best standards for tourism businesses.
• Other Certifications: Explore additional sustainability certification programs that suit your business.