Business-Community Partnership Seminar

Invitation - Business-Community Partnership Seminar: 8 July 2003

Hosted by NZBCSD and the Glen Innes Family Centre, this seminar will look at - the role of business in supporting communities the processes of building and maintaining successful business community partnerships examples of both successful and not-so-successful partnerships involving business and community groups Registration is to Glen Innes Family Centre.

NZBCSD members (Sanford, Port of Tauranga, Landcare Research and Watercare Services) do well at ICANZ Sustainability Reporting Awards

Here is a results summary of the ICANZ (Institute of Chartered Accountants NZ) Sustainability Reporting Awards. Congratulations to all. Sustainability Report by a Listed Company (or Subsidiary): Winner: Sanford Ltd Commended: Port of Tauranga Ltd Sustainability Report by a Non-listed Entity: Winner: Landcare Research NZ Ltd Commended(Company): Watercare Services Ltd Commended (Council): Canterbury Regional Council (Environment Canterbury) State of the Environment Report: Winner: Ross Sea Region (Anarctica NZ)

Green Project Farmers Deliver Results
Green project farmers deliver their results this week at a series of field days in Wanganui, Hawke’s Bay and Te Kuiti. The group will put forward a practical and voluntary management tool to protect the future of farming and New Zealand’s clean and green image. The group’s leader Rod Pearce says this tool, which they have tried and tested, is capable of being the framework for a set of robust voluntary standards for sustainable farming in New Zealand.

NZBCSD 2003 Leadership Forum Report - Engaging the Hearts and Minds of New Zealanders

The NZBCSD Leadership Forum held on 31 March 2003 brought together over 80 stakeholders from business, central government, local government, non governmental organisations, education, youth, Maori and media to focus on the question of "How can the hearts and minds of New Zealanders be engaged to further progress towards a Sustainable New Zealand?" We also enhanced our vision for a sustainable New Zealand, brainstormed new ideas for action and networked across sectors.

Three of the major themes that emerged from the forum related to ideas for: A Public Sustainability Campaign promoting New Zealand as a "great place to live" or "New Zealand forever" Focus on simple messages that people can relate to and understand Provide do-able actions that people can take Provide feedback to people on these actions Take some bold steps such as Nuclear Free and Smoke Free 2. Sustainability in Education Introduce "sustainability" as a topic throughout the education curricula at primary, secondary and tertiary level Build into curricula a sustainability lens Include ‘values’ education Produce thinking individuals that want to live sustainably 3. Government Action Ensuring that the Government’s sustainable development work programme - water, energy, sustainable cities, and youth and child development maximises participation and collaboration Put in place a range of economic incentives for sustainable development The NZBCSD welcomes the opportunity to partner with other stakeholders in pursuit of these and the other ideas identified at the forum. Whilst some of the ideas relate most directly to a specific sector and can be best taken forward by those representatives many others offer great potential for working together across sectors to achieve real synergy and make a difference as we progress our journey towards a Sustainable New Zealand.

Do you have a zero waste or waste reduction policy?

Zero Waste NZ Trust are currently revamping their website. They would like to list businesses that have a zero waste policy. If you have a policy and are happy to be listed please let us know or email Lucy at Zero Waste (lucy@zerowaste.co.nz) If you can provide details on the nature of your policy that would be great.

Invitation: Anew NZ - Let's Celebrate who we are and what we've done

Have Fun and Have A Say about "What you want to see for the future of New Zealand" and
"Anew NZ - progress and plans" When: Friday, 4 July from 6.30-9.00 pm Where: Grey Lynn Community Centre, 510 Richmond Road, Grey Lynn, Auckland Music - Rick Jones and Jon Bridgens Drumming and dance - Nikki Wood and Bruce Rae Refreshments Games - Tamati Dialogue Networking Come and bring a friend. Contribution requested to cover expenses - suggests $10 Register via anewnz@anewnz.org.na or Tel 413-9146

Practical Workshop - Implementing the Triple Bottom Line in Business

The Sustainable Business Network invites you to attend a 1 day workshop to address practical considerations in implementing a Triple Bottom Line (TBL) guide for businesses. Consultation with members of the Network and attendees of our breakfast seminar on TBL tell us that there is a demand for “nuts and bolts” on the ground advice on how to make the TBL a reality. The workshop will be based on a TBL guide for small or medium sized business – Enterprise3: Your business and the Triple Bottom Line – Economic, environmental and social performance developed by the Sustainable Business Network (SBN), in partnership with the Ministry for the Environment. The guide, filled with practical tips, quotes and experiences from New Zealand companies, is a very useful resource for business wishing to take a TBL approach to their business. There is a perception that exists that sees TBL as existing in the realm of the highly conceptual, far removed from the reality of day to day business operations. This 1 day workshop aims to bridge the gap between concept and reality by providing the structure of the practical guide, presentations from businesses who have taken the TBL journey as well as news from the cutting edge of where TBL is going. Date: 24th July 2003 Time: 9.00am to 5.00pm (please confirm attendance at least two working days prior to the event) Venue: West Smart Business Incubator - Enterprise Waitakere
Level 3, John Henry Centre, Corner Pioneer and Catherine Sts
Henderson, Waitakere City, Auckland, New Zealand Cost: $275 including GST (for SBN members), $375 including GST (for non-members) Lunch, morning & afternoon tea provided Parking: Parking available in surrounding streets.

Seeking Sponsors for More FM Auckland Zoo Safari for Disadvantaged Children

More FM is inviting 2000 of Auckland’s disadvantaged children along with their families or caregivers, to the Auckland Zoo on Sunday November 30th 2003. If you would like to sponsor this worthy event click here for further details. Another interesting fact, the zoo has its own zero waste policy.

Social concerns drive purchases of 68 million U.S. consumers, says study

18 June 2003, GreenBiz.com The Natural Marketing Institute’s second annual survey of the Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability, or "LOHAS," marketplace reveals consumers have strong and growing interest in various environmental, social, personal development, and values-based issues. According to the survey, nearly one-third of U.S. consumers, or 68 million adults, are concerned about various environmental and social issues and are conscious of those issues when making purchase decisions -- a 7% rise from a year earlier.

New Book...Living Space: Towards Sustainable Settlements in New Zealand

New Zealand has a clean, green image but it will be years before the country achieves sustainable development. This paradox is explored in a new book, Living Space: Towards Sustainable Settlements in New Zealand, which looks at how New Zealand can attain sustainable development. It is edited by Claire Freeman and Michelle Thompson-Fawcett, and published by the University of Otago Press. The authors note that: To achieve sustainable development, New Zealand will need environments that are in harmony with the natural world, as well as being clean, healthy and resource efficient. But issues of social justice, equality and participation are just as significant for sustainable development. To lead safe and fulfilling lives, people need adequate access to a range of goods and services, such as health, education, and housing. The urban-rural divide and the pressures both urban and rural systems face must also be addressed. Eighty-five per cent of New Zealand's population live in urban areas, and with increasing suburban expansion and stress on city infrastructures. New Zealand's own form of sustainable development will encompass biculturalism. Living Space emphasises the diversity of New Zealand society, its Maori heritage and growing multiculturalism. Case studies look at issues facing centres including Auckland, Tauranga, Palmerston North, Wellington, Queenstown and Dunedin. Further information Amanda Smith Publicist, University of Otago Press phone 03 479 9094,
email amanda.smith@stonebow.otago.ac.nz

The insurance and risk management industries: new players in the delivery of energy-effcient and renewable energy products and services

Paper by Evan Mills, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Energy Analysis Department. ABSTRACT: The insurance and risk management industries are typically considered to have little interest in energy issues, other than those associated with large energy supply systems. Through an examination of the connection between risk management and energy technology, the authors have identifed nearly 80 examples of energy-effcient and renewable energy technologies that offer loss-prevention benefts (such as improved fire safety). This article presents the business case for insurer involvement in the sustainable energy sector and documents early case studies of insurer efforts along these lines. It maps these opportunities onto the appropriate market segments (life, health, property, liability, business interruption, etc.). It reviews steps taken by 53 forward-looking insurers and reinsurers, 5 brokers, 7 insurance organizations, and 13 non-insurance organizations. While most companies have made only a modest effort to position themselves in the "green" marketplace, a few have comprehensive environmental programs that include energy efficiency and renewable energy activities.

Government and Business Unite for Sustainability in Australia

Environment Ministers from Australia and company CEOs from both sides of the Tasman met in Brisbane today at a specially-convened summit to develop a way forward for improved sustainability. Ministers and industry representatives agreed that a bolder and more urgent pursuit of sustainability practices was essential to underpin Australia’s future growth, prosperity and quality of life. Ministers and business chiefs from 20 companies who are leaders in sustainability discussed the barriers, opportunities and solutions to sustainability and agreed to develop a collaborative action plan for the future.

© Scoop Media