Good news for Kapiti businesses

Kapiti Coast District Council is subsidising memberships of the Rata Sustainable Certification Programme for 10 local Kapiti Coast businesses.

The Rata programme focuses on supporting businesses to become a catalyst for change for the future and encourages business owners and staff to be involved in driving those changes. It offers an independent, affordable and achievable certification process for any business wanting to incorporate sustainability initiatives.

One of the Council’s sustainable development principles is that the local economy and economic growth should, as far as possible, avoid environmental harm. The Rata Programme meets this criteria and subsidising the programme is a tangible way the Council can support local businesses to do just that.

Council’s Acting Group Manager Strategy & Partnerships, Tamsin Evans, says that while the subsidy is for just 10 businesses at this stage, they will provide an example to others. “We hope it will encourage others to become involved when they see the benefits that engaging with a sustainability programme like this can bring.”

Helene Judge of Nature Coast Enterprise says, “the subsidy will be good news for 10 Kapiti businesses. By committing to sustainability initiatives which include social, environmental and economic aspects they can enhance their reputation in the market and improve their bottom line.”

Nature Coast Enterprise is pleased to be working closely with the Rata Programme and Council on this initiative.

Nature Coast Enterprise also has available for any business wanting to start its sustainable business journey, a “Sustainable Business Self-Assessment Tool”. This is a practical tool to help businesses understand sustainability in business. It can be downloaded from the Nature Coast web site (www.naturecoast.co.nz/sustainability) or contact Helene Judge for a copy.

ENDS

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