Melbourne named in Top 10

Published: September 09, 2008 - 10:11 PM

Melbourne named as one of the top 10 sustainable cities worldwide

By Amanda Edmonds

Melbourne has been named in the top 10 of sustainable cities worldwide.

It is the only Australian city to appear on the list, released by the Ethisphere Institute, which also names New York and London in its top 10.

The city was praised for its commitment to green energy, specifically its Future Melbourne plan, which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 35% per resident and 59% per worker per capita by 2020.

“This Ethisphere Institute finding is a tremendous honour of which all Melburnians can be extremely proud," Lord Mayor John So said.

Ethisphere is a global group dedicated to the research, creation and sharing of best practices in ethics, compliance and corporate governance. Focusing on the achievements of people in terms of innovation and increased efficiency, its other rankings include the world’s most ethical companies and the top 100 most influential people in business ethics.

Sustainability has been an issue concerning experts for decades, but has only recently come into the public sphere. William Rees, professor at the University of British Columbia and founder of the ‘ecological footprint’ concept states that higher electricity and gas prices have “changed people’s behaviour at the societal level.”

Cities around the globe are now responding to the threat of climate change, with Melbourne leading the way in Australia. The Melbourne Plan, according to the Ethisphere Institute “will shift their bulky, mega-hub selves onto an environmentally sustainable path so that by 2020, they will be sustainability role models.”

This plan which focuses on energy and water consumption means significant changes to the way the city does business compared to current electricity and gas consumption behaviour in the Melbourne area.

“The 2020 Global Sustainability Centres aren’t waiting around to find out what’s going to happen. They’re taking matters into their own hands and are beginning to act,” according to the report.

With rising levels of consumption and increases in the price of basics, such as gas and electricity, “the programs initiated by these Global Sustainability Centres are more important than ever” according to Rees. Melbourne also has the second highest cost of living in Australia, making it important for people to have the cheapest electricity providers that also promote sustainable electricity and gas solutions.

Price comparison services such as those offered b y ShopAround.com.au offer an invaluable service in comparing electricity suppliers and gas companies, such as Red Energy, Origin Energy, TRUenergy and AGL, helping consumers to make an informed choice in the pursuit of cheap gas and electricity. David Power of ShopAround.com.au said that: “These price comparison services can contribute to the future of Melbourne’s sustainable environment by giving Melbourne residents and small businesses an easy way to compare the price and green ratings of electricity suppliers and gas companies in Victoria.”

The report also names Toronto, Frankfurt, Singapore, Hyderabad, Cape Town, Abu Dhabi and Curitiba in Brazil in the top 10 of sustainable cities.

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