By Shane Gladigau Trends that shape the business landscape matter. Those managers that react quickly to such forces, or even better, anticipate them, can use them to advantage by protecting or improving the bottom line by minimising risks, capturing emerging market opportunities and spurring innovation. One of the biggest trends confronting businesses this century is the push toward greater environmental protection in response to rising demand for natural resources, constrained supplies, environmental damage, rising costs of waste disposal and changing social attitudes. The conduct of some businesses is being called into account by vocal sectors of society who have increasingly …

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By Mr Jim McDonald, Chairman, Namoi Catchment Management Authority This paper to be presented at the Sustainability Business conference in May 2012 contends current attempts at ‘sustainable’ landscape management may be inappropriate. Evidence suggests that current levels of human activity are substantially modifying, in cases degrading, our natural resources, their operating systems, and the eco-system services they supply. For people in agriculture, who manage the greatest extent of our natural resources, being ‘sustainable’ is not only important for ongoing viability but for the broader community. Traditional natural resource management relies on the assumption that all natural systems respond to our …

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By Mr Graeme Williams, Sustainability Officer, Byron Shire Council The Byron Shire Sustainable Food Directory project demonstrates a practical and innovative approach through which local government can support sustainable business practices at the local level. The project aims to foster sustainable practices within the business community by creating a consumer-friendly directory of local food-related businesses and enterprises that uphold sustainability values, such as supplying organic, fair-trade and locally-grown produce and products. The Directory was compiled using a transparent expression of interest process and required businesses to engage in a self-evaluation of their practices against stated selection criteria. The project emphasised …

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By Mr Keith Bishop, Former General Manager, Marketing Strategy , One Steel Limited This paper, to be presented at the Sustainability Business conference in May 2012 will present a case study of the Australian Steel Industry working with the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) from 2008 to 2011 to demonstrate how Industry Associations, NGOs and individual corporations (eg. OneSteel and BlueScope Steel) can work together to build greater sustainability awareness/ understanding and improved/ tangible sustainability outcomes in an industry (in this case within steel construction market and green building sector).  An overview of the process and outcomes will be …

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By Mr Mark Winter, Founder, Foundation for IT Sustainability During this Sustainability Business conference (May 2012)presentation Mark will discuss some of the key value propositions around implementing technology that will assist creating and implement green initiatives. In the past we have seen 1000’s of organisation claiming that they are “green”, however the reality of this is what to believe and who to believe. Also covered will be how to develop KPI’s around IT Sustainability for your internal teams to gain enterprise wide support for these initiatives and incentives and rewards for performance. Mark will also discuss how organisation can gain certification …

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By Dr Alan March, Senior Lecturer, University of Melbourne, Sara Wilkinson, Senior Lecturer in Property and Real Estate at Deakin University Given the increased importance of action to mitigate global warming and climate change, and the acknowledgement of the significant contribution made by buildings, there is a move to adapt existing stock (Stern 2006, Garnaut 2008). Buildings contribute around half of all greenhouse gas emissions suggesting the potential for substantial reductions (UNEP 2006, Ngowi 2000). Whilst residential buildings contribute around 25%, offices contribute 12% of all greenhouse gas emissions in Australia.  Adaptation is inherently sustainable as the process involves use …

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 By Mr Lindsay Walker, Director,Department of Local Government & Planning The Queensland Government leads the way in improving sustainability in the built environment and has made a substantial contribution to the global fight against climate change. Tackling climate change continues to be a fundamental challenge and a core priority of governments both within Australia and across the world. The energy used by our buildings accounts for almost a quarter of Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions, and opportunities for transforming this sector are readily available at little or no cost. This Sustainability Business Conference (May 2012) presentation discusses how Building Codes Queensland (BCQ), …

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By Brooke Donnelly Commercial sustainability aims to achieve the balance between economic, environmental and social impacts through the effective management of resources whilst maximising organisational profitability. Strategy should not exist at the extremes of the sustainability tangent. Business must position itself at the centre of the bell curve, moving too far right or left will fail to satisfy the totality of the three elements of the triple bottom line. Sustainability is at its core the desire to ensure the longevity of the planet and in turn the quality of our human existence, as such we all have an innate interest …

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