Association for Sustainability in Business Inc
Economic Sustainability
Australian Road Authority Tenders: constructing sustainability comparison tools
By Prof Russell Kenley, Professor of Mangement, Swinburne University of Technology, Dr Toby Harfield, Research Fellow - Sustainable Built Environment National Research Centre, Swinburne University of Technology, Dr Palaneeswaran Ekambaram, Senior Lecturer - Faculty of Engineering & Industrial Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology
Australian state road authorities plan, manage and oversee the delivery of safe, efficient and integrated transport systems for sustainable economic, social and environmental outcomes in Australia. However, each state has unique administrative structures, guidelines and requirements for implementing the principles of environmental and ecological sustainability. This diversity means that standard methodologies to enable comparison of construction tenders in relation to claims of greenhouse gas emissions is currently lacking.
As approximately $4.6B will be spent annually on road construction to 2013–14, it is imperative that methods to qualify, calculate, and assess sustainability claims in construction tenders for infrastructure projects be developed. That is the aim of this study.
The conference presentation will focus on mapping activities, roles and responsibilities for road construction tenders within each state. These maps are expected to provide points of adaptation for new sustainability methodologies utilising procurement assessment criteria.
The outcome of this study is expected to be one set of empirically devised prototype tools to enable road and rail authorities, and construction companies, to fulfil their sustainability obligations. It is expected that the findings will be integrated into state road construction tendering processes. It is also assumed that standard methodologies for comparison of tenders will lead to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions during infrastructure construction in Australia.
Prof Russell Kenley, Dr Toby Harfield, Dr Palaneeswaran Ekambaram
Taking Care of Business: Sustainable Transformation Conference
Radisson Resort, Gold Coast – May 21 & 22, 2012
Sustainability leadership- what does it really mean to staff and organisations?
By Ms Tania Crosbie, Director, Sustainability at Work
Almost 70% of Australian workers believe that it is important for their organisations to behave in a sustainable way*. And they are looking to their senior managers to lead real change.
So what does sustainability leadership really mean to staff and organisations?
Sustainability at Work believes that understanding current attitudes and behaviours towards sustainability in both the workplace and at home can provide insights and a platform for organisations to promote positive sustainable behavior within organisations.
A national study of more than 1,000 Australian workers found that overwhelmingly, Australians believe that change needs to come from the top. Senior managers need to implement processes and systems that help staff with more sustainable practices at work.
Ms Tania Crosbie
Taking Care of Business: Sustainable Transformation Conference
Radisson Resort, Gold Coast – May 21 & 22,
Sustainability Drives Competitive Advantage in Food Industry Supply Chain · Environmental Management & Energy News · Environmental Leader
Parents – mainly mothers – determine most household food purchases. Questions race through their minds as they navigate the labyrinth of products, packaging and prices.
- Is this healthy for my family?
- Will my family like this?
- How much time will it take to prepare?
- Can I afford it?
- How will it impact the future of my children, my family, my planet?
The food industry supply chain wrestles with a similarly lengthy list of concerns when gauging the value shoppers place on the answers to those questions… more
The Business of Sustainability – The Conference 2012
The Association for Business Sustainability conference ‘Taking Care of Business: Sustainable Transformation” will be held on the 21st and 22nd May 2012 at the Radisson Resort, Gold Coast.
The conference will include case studies, keynote presentations, concurrent sessions and workshops. You will Learn about governments’ sustainability plans and the relevant grants available, and find business opportunities and trends in the sector.
Topics include;
• Sustainable Natural Resource/Water Management
• Sustainable and Renewable Energy
• Sustainable Waste Management
• Sustainable Cities and Building Design
• Sustainable Food Production/Security
• Sustainable Investment and Finance
• Sustainable Leadership – Government and Business
• Sustainable Transport
• Carbon Price Management
• Business Case Studies
• Government Case Studies
• Education and Training
• Accreditation
• Green Procurement
• Personal Sustainability
• CSR
The conference will update delegates on a range of effective sustainable business practises from energy saving to carbon pricing and provide great opportunities to network and learn from other organisations.
There will be a B2B exhibition for organisations to promote their ideas, products and solutions to assist businesses and government departments achieve profitable sustainability. It will provide an avenue for emerging technologies and services that enable sustainability within business to be reviewed, discussed and promoted. It will be a Sustainable Education Forum to benefit businesses, individuals and government and provide viable sustainable business options to business.
A case study analysis of MCU Sustainable Banking – unique, innovative, competitive, “green” and successfull
The aim of this paper is to present a case study analysis of MCU Sustainable Banking Limited and contribute to the discussion on the importance and effects of various external environmental, social and governance factors on the success of investment institutions. MCU is an innovative and leading, sustainable, financial institution that exemplifies the phrase “thinking globally, acting locally”. MCU’s success supports the literature which suggests that corporate social responsibility (CSR) and being “green” are now mainstream and key ingredients in the complex combination of factors that contribute to the economic success and overall sustainability of financial institutions.
Dr Gayle Mayes, Sustainability Research Centre will present the study at the “Taking Care of Business: Sustainable Transformation” Conference, 15th & 16th September
Radisson Resort, Gold Coast, Australia. Visit the conference website here.
Present at the Sustainability Business Conference in September 2011
The “Taking Care of Business: Sustainable Transformation” conference wil be held on the 15th & 16th September 2011 at the Radisson Resort, Gold Coast, Australia.
If you would like to speak at the conference you have until the 15th of June 2011 to submit an abstract of your presentation here.
Confirmed speakers include:
- Hon Kate Jones MP, Minister for Environment and Resource Management, Queensland Government, to open conference.
- Murray Hogarth, Director, The 3rd Degree, is a business environmentalist. He advises corporate, government and community clients on climate and sustainability strategy and communications.
- Gary Horsfield, Vice President of Operations and Supply Chain for PepsiCo, Australia & New Zealand.
- Susanne Cooper B.A.(Hons); D.Ed; M.Sc, Associate; Sustainability Practice Leader, Sinclair Knight Merz
- Karlson ‘Charlie’ Hargroves B.E, Co-Founder and Director, The Natural Edge Project
- Professor John Cole, Director, Australian Centre for Sustainable Business and Development, USQ
- Monique Chelin – Director of MJC Sustainability
- Tim Eldridge – Founder, Eldridge Marketing. Former Senior Partner, Executive Marketing Director, IBM Brand Services for Ogilvy& Mather N.Y. Former Executive Vice-President, World-wide Account Director for Saatchi and Saatchi N.Y.
- Associate Professor Retha Wiesner -Australian Centre for Sustainable Business and Development U.S.Q.
- Bruce Mitchell – Founder, The Mitchell Enviro Industrial Estate; Finalist for the 2011 QLD Senior of the Year Award and Winner for the 2010 Premier’s Climate Smart Award.
- Paula Drayton, Director, Resource Advisory
- Rob Cawethorne, Managing Director Carbon Reduction Institute
- Kirsty Chessher, EnviroDevelopment National Manager, Urban Development Institute of Australia (QLD)
- Kristine Dewar, Business Sustainability Analyst, Carbon House
- Egle Garrick, General Manager, Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority
- Hugh Grant, Director, Net Balance
- Tony Hall, CEO, GreenBizCheck
- Simon McCabe, Business Relations Manager, Intelligent Pathways
- Susan Harris, National Science Leader, CPG New Zealand Limited
- Robert Hassett, Senior Natural Resource Officer, Department of Environment and Resource Management
- Mark Leckenby, CEO, Auzion Solar Power
- La Vergne Lehmann, Researcher, University of Ballarat
- Dr Gayle Mayes, Lecturer & Researcher, Sustainability Research Centre
- Rebecca Miller Senior Consultant ARUP
- Robert Mrozowski, Senior Environmental Health Officer – Waste Management Queensland Health
- Ralph Plarre, Co-Owner, Ferguson Plarre Bakehouses
- Dr Stephen Skull, Manager Environment Policy, Sunshine Coast Council
- Bernhard Voll, Managing Director, Blue Diamond Energy Solutions
- Kayt Watts, Chief Executive Officer, Australian Forestry Standard Limited
- Stella Whittaker – Senior Executive, Sustainability and Climate Change – Manidis Roberts
The full conference website is available here
Can Tourism Operators Manage Water Sustainably?
The relationship that water has with the tourism sector is complex. While the UNWTO has recognised that water is an essential component of tourism, the problem of overuse has also been highlighted as worldwide fresh water resources become scarcer.
The challenge for sustainable water management exists in many parts of the world and is no longer confined to arid destinations, high volume tourism destinations or developing nations. A significant portion of the water use in the tourism sector is associated with accommodation and hospitality. Responsibility for the way that water is used in accommodation venues is vested in both the accommodation operator, who controls that water at the source and the tourist, who can control their own use.
This means that the type of market that the accommodation venue aims to attract has a significant impact on the type and amount of water use that is required for their operation. In looking at different styles of accommodation, this research identifies the optimal ways of managing water for each style. While the water use reminder card currently available in many venues may encourage some responsible tourists to reduce their water use, more substantial responses from accommodation venues will be required to meet future water reduction use objectives.
Mrs La Vergne Lehmann, PhD Candidate University of Ballarat
“Taking Care of Business: Sustainable Transformation” The Conference 15th & 16th September – Radisson Resort, Gold Coast, Australia
Corporate understanding of ecosystem services
The reliance organizations have on ecosystem services such as clean water, air, climate, timber, fibres, food and genetic resources is fundamentally an element of corporate risk and strategy that is often overlooked.
Where traditional environmental management examines the impact the organization has on the environment, the idea of ecosystem services is novel in the sense that it is also concerned with the impact the environment has on the organization.
We surveyed corporate managers in the Australian resources and infrastructure sectors and found that most are ill-equipped to address ecosystem services as a strategic aspect of long-term organizational sustainability. A high proportion of respondents indicated that their organization has both the awareness and capacity to address ecosystem service issues. However, this contradicts previous research which suggests that it is unlikely that organizations implement strategies to secure access to multiple ecosystem services.
The results of this research indicate that corporate managers’ distinguish ecosystem services as a concern that transcends environment departments. This suggests that organizational culture has a role to play in fostering an environment where the management of ecosystem services is integrated across a range of business activities.
However, we also found that environment and sustainability managers are not empowered to enact the organizational transformation that is required to achieve holistic ecosystem management.
Kristine Dewar, Business Sustainability Analyst, Carbon House
“Taking Care of Business: Sustainable Transformation” The Conference
15th& 16th September – Radisson Resort, Gold Coast, Australia
10 Ways to Cut Carbon Emissions in Your Buildings
Johnson Controls Inc. and its Make Your Buildings Work program offer 10 tips on how your company can reduce its carbon footprint and emissions by minimizing the environmental impacts of facilities and operations.
The advice is part of Johnson Controls’ campaign to emphasize practical solutions for building owners, managers and operators to improve the energy efficiency and performance of their properties.
The company’s “10 Tips” series is among resources available on the JCI microsite MakeYourBuildingsWork.com. Here are Johnson Controls’ recommendations for cutting carbon emissions:
1. Consider investigating in renewable energy technologies to become less dependent on the grid. This is good for the economy, environment and energy security. Using renewable energy technologies can increase owner revenue, revitalize rural communities and reduce dependence on the power grid — all without consuming natural resources or emitting pollution or greenhouse gases.
2. Promote recycling. Establish a recycling program and distribute recycling containers around your buildings and/or campus to encourage separation of waste and recyclable items.
3. Make cleaning and maintenance greener. Reduce the environmental impact of in-building operations such as cleaning, pest management and maintenance by using more environmentally friendly cleaning products and organic — or eco-sensitive synthetic — filters for equipment.
4. Host meetings with minimal environmental impact. Host and encourage telemeetings. In-person meetings should be held at green hotels that serve water in pitchers instead of bottles, reuse name badges and donate unused food to local food pantries.
5. Offer telecommuting options to employees. Establish a telecommuting program allowing employees to work from home one to five days a week.
6. Institute flex time. Encourage flex time which will stagger start/end times so that employees can avoid getting stuck in rush hour traffic and as a result use less gas and reduce emissions.
7. Increase employee and student awareness. Set up education sessions for employees/students to share home/work tips to reduce their individual and collective carbon footprints.
8. Support green suppliers. Use vendors and suppliers who embrace green practices (i.e. buy local, purchase used office furniture, etc.).
9. Modernize your fleet. Update fleets with more environmentally friendly vehicles where applicable and consider switching to electric and hybrid vehicles.
10. Promote environmentally friendly commuting. Establish carpool initiatives for employees. Provide mass transit passes for employees. Reward hybrid car owners with preferred parking. Johnson Controls launched MakeYourBuildingsWork.com this summer. The microsite features case studies, an energy efficiency calculator, other tools and separate sections on reducing energy costs, efficient operations, creating quality environments and reducing carbon emissions with 10 tips on how to achieve improvements in area.
