Association for Sustainability in Business Inc
Green Credentials
Beautiful and abundant: balancing profitability and purpose to build a green business
By Mr Bryan Welch, Founder and Publisher, Ogden Publications
Being green, generates green. Yet, a lot of human energy is being squandered in conflict over short-term environmental obstacles. People debate symptoms and solutions, but persistently fail to offer positive incentives for change.
We don’t need disaster to motivate change. A great, contagious idea or two can create all the motivation we need. It’s time to engage human imagination and our entrepreneurial spirit to move forward not just against the phenomena damaging our environment, but also toward a sustainable and prosperous future.
Bryan Welch, author and founder of the highly successful Ogden Publications (publishers of Mother Earth News, Natural Home and Utne Reader), aims to close political divides and provide a positive, empowering counterpoint to the gloom-and-doom tone that pervades today’s discussions about sustainability, our environment and green business.
In this presentation based on his Nautilus Award-winning book Beautiful and Abundant, Welch demonstrates that it is possible to do well in business without destroying natural or human resources. He outlines four queries for building a collective vision of a sustainable future and reaching a sustainable business model: Is it aesthetically beautiful, economically abundant, ethically fair and irresistibly contagious?
Through the lives and accomplishments of inventors and entrepreneurs, Welch explores a path toward a sustainable business culture we can proudly pass on to future generations. He shares achievable strategies for how businesses can use conservation and innovation to achieve a balance between profitability and conscientious business practices, including:
* What companies can do to make their business more conscientious?
* How executives can foster a business culture of conservation and innovation.
* Examples of companies that do a good job of balancing profitability and conscientious business practices.
* How companies and executives can reach a sustainable business model using the four queries for creating a
beautiful and abundant future.
Mr Bryan Welch
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.
Designing Food Sustainability and Resilience Systems for Cities
The impending food crisis and the current need for Food Security Policies have highlighted shortcomings in Urban Planning and land allocation for Food. There are both short term and long term solutions which will be canvased, with impacts ranging from allocation of land, urban planning, food education, food precincts and fresh food hubs.
The proposal for and design of the Worlds First “Creative Commons” will illustrate how these sustainability issues can and are being addressed in an urban environment in Western Sydney, Australia with discussion of London and the USA. Information will cover Researching, designing and applying realistic and practical solutions to issues impacting Sydney (population 4m), especially food security and efficient food production, dysfunctional social relationships caused by space issues and integration of disadvantaged citizens.
Dr John Troughton, M Ag Sc, Ph D, D Sc, FRSNZ, NZ National Research Fellow 1966-69, Carnegie Fellow 1973, Eisenhower Fellow 1984, Member of Australian National University Council 1968-69, Director, Guntonia Investments
The Conference: “Taking Care of Business: Sustainable Transformation” - 2012 Radisson Resort, Gold Coast, Australia
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
From the Forests to the Consumer Australia has the most credible Standards for Sustainable Forest Management and Chain of Custody certification.
Do you ever look at your dining table and wonder where it came from? What about your box of tissues, your timber floorboards or child’s toy train?
Certification of Forests is the first link in the Chain of Custody (CoC), Sustainable and responsible forestry management involves every step taken to produce wood and wood products, whether that is building materials, office paper, toilet paper, packaging, furniture or other consumer goods. It covers the range of factors involved in the environmental impact of materials including how they are produced, processed, manufactured, transported, distributed and transformed.
Environmentally aware consumers are increasingly asking more questions about the origins of their timber and paper products – where have they come from and how have they come to be what they are now? But how do you find out where timber and paper products have come from? The answer is threefold, ask your supplier questions about where the timber has come from, look for certification symbols and if in doubt buy Australian. Timber production in Australia is subject to world-class regulation that consumers can trust. IT’S ALL ABOUT THE STRENGTH AND CREDIBILITY OF SFM AND COC STANDARDS.
The Australian Standard for Chain of Custody of wood and wood products, AS 4707, is a credible and rigorous Standard that wood and wood products suppliers comply with. Their compliance is based primarily on the procurement, inventory control and sales of the certified product. The consumer can demand proof of any claim made by an organisation that the product is from a sustainable forest. The Australian Standard for Sustainable Forest Management practices, AS 4708, is a credible and rigorous Standard that Forest Owners and Managers comply with. They comply with strict environmental regulations ensuring issues such as biodiversity, water quality, cultural heritage are protected during forest operations.
Miss Kayt Watts – CEO Australian Forestry Standard Limited
“Taking Care of Business: Sustainable Transformation” The Conference 15th & 16th September – Radisson Resort, Gold Coast, Australia
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
The Benefits of Green Credentials.
As sustainability and environmental policy continue to evolve, forming the biggest business opportunity of the 21st century, it is now a business imperative for companies to have credible green credentials.
The GreenBizCheck presentation aims to educate attendees on the importance for all companies, from micro businesses through to large multinationals, of achieving certifiable green credentials. The GreenBizCheck workshop will examine, how government, corporate and consumer pressure are influencing the criteria for procurement decisions, what credible green certification options are available and the differences between them, how to protect your rating and engage staff, how to communicate your green credentials with customers and suppliers and how credentials will affect your bottom line.
Attendees will view a Powerpoint presentation with case studies from Australian businesses exemplifying how green credentials were invaluable to their reputation and bottom line. After this workshop conference attendees will have enough information to know which organisations to approach for certification, guidelines to consider before, during and after the certification process and how to maximise their green credentials.
Mr Tony Hall, CEO GreenBizCheck
“Taking Care of Business: Sustainable Transformation” The Conference 15th & 16th September – Radisson Resort, Gold Coast, Australia
