Environmental Responsibility
As a Zero C business, Wendy Perry and Associates Pty Ltd, has all scope 1 & 2 carbon emissions, with specified scope 3 emissions, annually audited and 100% offset. We have undertaken annual audits since 2007.
The Energy and Greenhouse Gas Inventory Report for 2010-2011 financial year shows 6.18tCO2-e emissions and 45.85 GJ energy consumption, a 34% reduction on the previou year.
Over the 2009-2010 financial year Wendy Perry and Associates Pty Ltd trading as Workforce BluePrint made a huge reduction in Greenhouse Gas Emissions.
“Whilst we had a reduction target of 10%, we were surprised by this result as from 2007-2008 compared with 2008-2009 we made a 40% reduction and to get another reduction like this demonstrates how our practices have changed”, said Managing Director, Wendy Perry.
The reduction over this year was due to reducing interstate travel by strategically targeting more local work, using internet and phone for meetings, changing lighting and being more energy conscious.
“As a small business I am really proud of what we have achieved. Over the past three financial years our partner Balance Carbon Pty Ltd has helped us to measure and manage our energy and GHG emissions plus we’ve saved money too. Often the changes we’ve made to our practices were small, thinking of different alternatives and having fun with activities such as our tree planting and Fantasy Fairytales ZeroC Calendar but the results have been enormous”, Wendy stated.
Matt Shorten, Managing Director of Balance Carbon highlights the benefits of these results,
“Wendy Perry & Associate’s commitment to measuring and managing GHG emissions is turning real results from an emissions performance perspective and financial one too. Wendy and her team have demonstrated an integrated approach to carbon management across their operation and have clearly demonstrated what is achievable”.
So what ideas can you take away and apply to your own businesses? Wendy Perry and Associates Pty Ltd has implemented the following actions:
- Environmental Sustainability Policy and Action Plan for 2009-2012;
- changing over the car fleet to smaller, more fuel efficient vehicles;
- reducing air travel by using alternative communication channels like Skype and online meetings;
- identifying sustainability as a strategic business priority, core value and core competency for the organisation and all associates;
- including as an option a GHG Emissions and Carbon Offset levy in all proposals, projects and programs; and
- undertaking professional development, attending conferences and participating in local government programs to support sustainability.
Here’s some websites and links you might find useful:
http://www.deewr.gov.au/Skills/ClimateChangeSustainability/Pages/default.aspx
National Carbon Offset Standard
www.presidentsclimatecommitment.org
http://www.workforceinfoservice.sa.gov.au/sustainability
