Age
Monday 30/3/2009 Page: 3
THE energy supply industry has united to launch a sustainability framework aimed at helping companies better report, manage and communicate their environmental footprint. The Energy Supply Association of Australia has spent 18 months developing the Sustainable Practice Framework, which sets industry and participant benchmarks and minimum standards for business to meet.
ESAA chief executive Clare Savage said the framework had been instigated and created by business for business to provide clear direction as companies prepare to report, some for the first time, under the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting legislation. "The Sustainable Practice Framework sets a standard that is in line with leading national and international sustainability practice and reporting that is seen as good management and is widely adopted by industry," she said.
While the framework is voluntary, the ongoing consultation with industry has meant about 70% of the association's members have already signed up. Russell Center, Loy Yang Power's senior manager of sustainability, said the previous code was too onerous in terms of auditing and had a low takeup rate. Mr Center said the drive to become greener stemmed from community expectations. "You need to provide some benefit to the society that you operate in or you may become unacceptable for factors such as the greenhouse gas you are emitting," he said.
"Once you take that step to start reporting, you don't want to have to say publicly, 'I have a poor performance in this area, you want to improve at each point." Ms Savage said annual sustainability awards would also provide an incentive for businesses. On Friday night, Hydro Tasmania was recognised for its sustainability reporting, which the judges found incorporated a comprehensive list of social impacts in addition to reporting on traditional environmental issues.
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