Yoram Krozer said he and his Dutch colleague Simon Tijsma were impressed with the city’s passion for its heritage and the high level of awareness of climate change among the community.

“A lot of people are motivated and positively worried about what is going on in terms of climate change,” Mr Krozer said.

“There is a lot of awareness, a higher level of awareness than I would say the average town in Holland has.”

Mr Krozer is founding director the European Institute for Sustainable Innovations and Mr Tijsma is Friesland province’s department head of economic affairs, recreation and tourism.

Friesland is a shining example of a thriving economy due to sustainable practices.

Mr Tijsma was also impressed with Bendigo’s positive attitude.

“People here are aware of climate change and the consequences of it, but they also see the challenges,” Mr Tijsma said.

Both men were guest speakers at the Bendigo Sustainability Group and Bendigo Business Council’s Green Business Forum.

The forum was the first step on the BSG’s mission “Beyond Carbon Bendigo”, a scheme to analyse and then implement the city’s potential for a sustainable carbon-neutral future.