Collingwood Football Club, the Victorian Employers' Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VECCI) and the State Government have announced an extension to the highly successful and innovative Green Magpies program.

The Green Magpies was launched last year as part of the Carbon Down initiative, a climate change partnership between VECCI, the Victorian Government and its agency Sustainability Victoria.

The Green Magpies is a free program designed for small to medium sized businesses (SME) to help them reduce their carbon footprint Victoria via information, advice, and incentives on actions to take operating in a carbon economy. In just over 12 months the program has attracted 330 businesses from around Victoria. This year one of the Green Magpie businesses - Vega Press - won the Victorian Premier's Sustainability Award.

Narre-Warren SME Ultimate Tiles has also reaped major sustainability benefits and cost savings since joining the Green Magpies program. Rick Somers, Managing Director said, "Through the Green Magpies program we estimate we will save 50% on our energy costs and 28 tonnes of greenhouse gases in the first year. Not only will we recoup our investment in less than three years, but we've set an example to our peers in the industry. And the best part about joining the program is it's free!"

Membership gives Green Magpies free access to the Grow Me The Money (GMTM) program, with the prospect of achieving significant carbon and cost savings. On average, GMTM's 1,300 participants have saved $6,600 per year and reduced their carbon footprint by 15.4% or 28 tonnes.

The extension to the agreement will see Collingwood hosting a series of events and briefings in major regional centres around Victoria. Former Collingwood champion Shane Wakelin, and current player Darren Jolly are ambassadors for the program and will be involved in a series of briefings to encourage and help businesses to understand how they can reduce their environmental impact and save money in the process.

"Collingwood is proud to be a leader in Victoria in partnership with VECCI and the Victorian Government to encourage and support businesses to reduce their carbon footprint," says Collingwood President, Mr Eddie McGuire.

"We're thrilled with the take-up of this innovative program and aim to double the number of businesses involved over the next 12 months. Any business can join, so you don't need to be a one-eyed Collingwood supporter to benefit from this great initiative."

Green Magpies ambassador Darren Jolly says, "Sustainability needs to be integrated into everything we do. The Green Magpies program helps, rewards and recognises SMEs who embrace innovation and seek to be leaders in the new carbon economy."

"It is critical for us to get business involved if we are truly to tackle the issue of sustainability," says Anita Roper, CEO of Sustainability Victoria. "Reducing the carbon footprint of Victorian businesses can make a significant contribution to improving Victoria's overall environmental performance."

Victorian industry accounts for more than 40 per cent of the State's total carbon footprint and 99 per cent of Victoria's business community is made up of SMEs.

"Individual businesses taking action may seem insignificant, but when multiplied across the entire business community, it adds up to big environmental benefits," says VECCI CEO, Mr Wayne Kayler-Thomson.

"In fact, our data shows businesses can deliver one-third of Australia's 2020 emissions reduction target of 138 million tonnes by undertaking a sustainability program to achieve emissions cuts," says Mr Kayler-Thomson.