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 • …

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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, …

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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 …

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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 …

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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 …

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Beyond sustainability: Exploring the principles of restorative management

The leadership of sustainability is an emerging issue in Fortune 1000 companies, and 70% of these companies have indicated that they intend to increase their investments in sustainability over the next five years. The implications of this trend are that business leaders have begun to understand the importance of sustainability as well as how its integrated implementation can offer both a competitive advantage and a new host of unforeseen benefits. Many of the current sustainability management practices have set the foundation for the next phase of sustainability, which is restorative management. While sustainable organizational practices contribute to thriving, restorative management …

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Rethink! Addressing the global consequences of urbanisation in Cities

By the end of the 21st century 85% of our global population will be living in cities. By then cities as we know it today have ceased to exist. The majority of humans would have organized themselves into Megacities and Super Urban Conglomerates of 40 million people or more and Megacities would have replaced nations and became self supportive as economic drivers and engines for growth and compete at a global level for resources, top talents and businesses. This urbanization trend would be exclusively for the new and upcoming global economy. However we are under threat of over stressing our …

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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 …

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