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Initiatives
Environment
Principle 7: Businesses should support a precautionary approach to environmental challenges;
Principle 8: undertake initiatives to promote greater environmental responsibility; and
Principle 9: encourage the development and diffusion of environmentally friendly technologies.
Every company can act to minimise its environmental footprint. This can be as simple as ensuring that all paper is recycled and that all the lights are turned off at night or as complex as subsidising the development of new green technologies. There is a lot of scope to be original when it comes to promoting environmental principles and small changes can have a big impact.
Signatory Examples
Foster’s is showing that the key to offsetting environmental costs is innovation. They have introduced Cascade Green, a new carbon neutral beer. This product highlights the way businesses can do their bit while still maintaining their corporate vision. There is always scope to fill a particular niche by working to a business’ strengths.
Parsons Brinckerhoff established a servicing agreement with the National Packaging Covenant (NPC) as part of their wider Corporate Responsibility Program which is underpinned by, amongst others, the 10 principles of the UN Global Compact. The NPC is a co-regulatory agreement between governments and industries in the packaging supply chain to reduce the environmental impact of consumer packaging in Australia. Parsons Brinckerhoff in Victoria provides NPC with office space, staffing, the infrastructure to operate and offers NPC both technical support and advice from their environment team. In return, NPC shares its expertise with PB and provides advice on its requirements and guidance in the implementation process. The agreement exemplifies how partnerships across business and sectors can be of mutual benefit while simultaneously promoting the ten principles of the UN Global Compact. More information can be found in PB’s Sustainability Report 2009 (p. 44).
VIP Packaging is reducing the environmental side effects of its own industry. It is undertaking specialised recycling for products that are unable to be recycled under normal processes. By recycling oil and agricultural chemical containers, steel and plastic drums, and IBCs that would otherwise be thrown away, VIP Packaging is helping to prevent landfill and the environmental cost of producing replacement containers. For more information see their COP.
We are currently in the process of growing these pages in order to highlight all of the actions being taken by Australian signatories. If you would like to share what your business is doing to implement the principles of the UN Global Compact contact us at the Centre.
