Sustainability Advantage
Save money and improve your business!
Sutherland Shire Council and the Department of Environment and Climate Change (DECC) are working in partnership to deliver the Sustainability Advantage program. The aim of this program is to help Shire businesses become more profitable while simplifying operations and reducing risks.
Who's participating?
Sutherland Shire businesses who have signed up include:
On average participating businesses have who have completed the program have realised savings of around $22,000 in energy, water and waste disposal fees.
What's involved?
Businesses have the opportunity undertake to three specialised modules. The modules on offer include:
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Vision, Commitment and Planning: Assists businesses to develop sustainability goals and establish an action oriented implementation program which has significant environmental benefits and assists with the integration of environmental sustainability into your business plan.
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Environmental Responsibility: Provides businesses with an understanding of their responsibilities as defined in the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997. This module will also help with the integration of appropriate environmental management into the existing framework.
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Resource Efficiency: Helps businesses to identify, implement and sustain cleaner production initiatives which result in improved profits and environmental performance.
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Supply Chain Engagement: Helps businesses develop methods of engaging suppliers on environmental issues.
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Internal Staff Engagement: Assists businesses to engage their staff in achieving environmentally sustainable outcomes. This engagement includes the identification and integration of ideas generated by staff into the environmental management plans and policies of your business.
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External Stakeholder Engagement: Helps businesses to develop positive relationships with external stakeholders. This module addresses topics such as the development of effective complaint handling systems and looks at how to position your business as being environmentally sustainable when communicating to the broader community.
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Climate Change: Addresses risk and opportunities, adaptation and mitigation strategies, Greenhouse Gas inventories and carbon neutrality.
Can my business participate?
The program is open to large businesses (typically more than 40 employees) in the Shire. Participating in the program is easy and by signing up you will become part of a cluster of other like minded businesses in the Sutherland Shire.
What are the steps?
The key activities undertaken by Sustainability Advantage businesses are:
STEP 1: Sign up with like-minded businesses in your region. You will have the opportunity to network and to share your experiences.
STEP 2: Undertake the management diagnostic review. This will tell you how sustainable your current systems are and how to improve them.
STEP 3: Implement the improvements by selecting two or three of the six modules from the Sustainability Advantage toolbox.
STEP 4: Work through your chosen modules with the expert consultants provided by DECC.
STEP 5: Watch how your bottom line improves as a result of participating in the program.
Who do I contact?
If you have a large business in the Shire (typically more than 40 employees) you can discuss opportunities to join the program now by contacting Council's Environmental Science and Policy Unit on 9710 0163.
The Sustainainability Advantage Program helps organisations understand sustainability and strengthen their environmental performance. The program is a business support service from the Department of Environment and Climate Change.
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