‘Climate Clubs' is a new concept that brings together households in school community based teams to save power, reduce pollution and raise funds for their school.

The trial competition is being set up and run by the Institute for Sustainable Futures at the University of Technology Sydney, in collaboration with three Marrickville Council primary schools, the NSW Department of Environment Climate Change and Water, Marrickville Council, the Australian Conservation Foundation, EnergyAustralia and PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Climate Clubs is a trial for now, but if it succeeds the hope is that it will expand to many schools and community groups across NSW and beyond.

The three teams, based around Wilkins, Ferncourt and Dulwich Hill Public Schools, will be competing from May until the end of October 2010 for the inaugural ‘Climate Clubs Cup' and prize money that will be awarded on the basis of energy savings in their homes compared to the same time last year.

The Mayor of Marrickville Councillor Sam Iskandar said that Marrickville Council has a strong record as a leader in sustainability in the local community. "Increasing pressure on the environment is a significant and critical challenge for communities across the globe. That's why Marrickville Council is proud to be a supporter of the Climate Clubs initiative. This scheme not only strengthens our community and its ties to local schools, but also allows people to have fun while they raise money, reduce energy use and have a positive impact on the planet."

The project was launched on 6 May. Already there are over 150 families signed up to their local Climate Club.

The Climate Clubs trial will run between 1 May and 30 October 2010. Competition progress will be regularly updated on the scoreboard at www.climateclubs.org.au.