Waimangu Volcanic Valley wins SustainableBiz Award

Waimangu Volcanic Valley wins at Bay of Plenty Sustainable Business Awards

NZBCSD member, Waimangu Volcanic Valley has just won the medium sized business category at the Bay of Plenty Sustainable Business Awards. Congratulations Waimangu!

The awards were run by the Bay of Plenty Sustainable Business Network.

Design Mobel won the supreme award and the large business category.

NZ Educational Tours won the small business category.

N.Z. Sustainable Business Conference 2003: Final Call for Papers

The Sustainable Business Network (SBN), Australia New Zealand Society for Ecological Economics (ANZSEE) and The Natural Step New Zealand (TNSNZ) will host the 2nd Sustainable Business Conference & Expo in Auckland between 17-19 November 2003.

Last year's conference "Walking the Talk" was widely heralded a success with over 300 delegates attending over two days. At this year's "Information, Knowledge, Wisdom" Conference we expect over 400 delegates from across the public and private sector including chief executives, human resources managers, production, procurement and supply chain managers, policy and decision-makers, national and local government, academics and education professionals from primary to tertiary.

The focus of sustainable development is on ensuring a better quality of life for everyone, now and for generations to come. If you have ideas that could influence this, then there's no better place than this Conference to share them. The Call for Papers outlines details together with suggested theme topics.

Submisson of abstracts are due by 16 June 2003.

Please email Christine Takiwa at the Sustainable Business Network for your Abstract Submission Form and one will be sent to you immediately. Final manuscripts for publication on the Conference Paper CD-ROM are due no later than 15 September 2003.

Sponsorship

An attractive sponsorship proposal is available to companies and organisations which share the values of sustainable business and, more importantly, engage in sustainable business practice themselves. Please contact Rachel Brown, Chief Executive, Sustainable Business Network on rachel@sustainable.org.nz to discuss your company's involvement in what promises to be a stimulating and informative conference.

Trade Exposition

You can't afford not to exhibit at this year's Conference & Expo. This is your opportunity to promote products and services that support sustainable business practice. Up to 400 delegates and visitors will view your stand over the 3-day conference and there'll be some new initiatives and benefits introduced to exhibitors this year. Stands are limited to approximately 22 - to register your interest in exhibiting, please contact Christine Takiwa at SBN on office@sustainable.org.nz.

Invitation - Business-Community Partnership Seminar: 8 July 2003

Hosted by NZBCSD and the Glen Innes Family Centre, this seminar will look at -

the role of business in supporting communities

the processes of building and maintaining successful business community partnerships

examples of both successful and not-so-successful partnerships involving business and community groups

Registration is to Glen Innes Family Centre.

Request for Energy Efficiency/Transport Management Case Studies

Our emissions management guide is nearing completion and looking good. Do you have energy efficiency or travel management case studies that will help support the business case for this guide? If you are prepared to share your case study and have the following information we would love to hear from you. Information needed:

Activity undertaken

$ savings made

GHG made (good to have but not essential)

Capital cost, payback or rate of return on investment.

These activities could range from plant upgrades to carpooling. If you would like to discuss plese contact Jo on 09 488 7406 , 0272 230996 or jo.hume@nzbcsd.org.nz

Energy Management Courses in Auckland

For people who need to know how to reduce energy use and energy costs.

This four-day intensive workshop in Auckland on July 1-4 2003 is designed for:

Managers and technical specialists responsible for managing energy use in larger commercial facilities, manufacturing companies and government organisations, and

Consultants and those providing energy services and products who are seeking to capture the emerging business opportunities in energy efficiency.

The Future of Ecolabelling in Australia, 9-10 October 2003, Australian Academy of Science Dome, Canberra

A Limited Call for Papers - Deadline for Submissions: 20 June 2003

Background to the Conference:

There is currently a rapid increase in the number of new certification and labelling initiatives developing and establishing themselves in the Australian market. This poses significant opportunities as well as potential threats to genuine corporate social and environmental performance improvement.

Who will be Participating:

The conference will feature presentations from certification and labelling programs operating across a range of industry sectors in Australia and internationally including manufacturing, building, mining, energy, organic food, fisheries, forestry, tourism and fair trade... Invitation - "Winning the Knowledge Game" - Presentations from the Author

NEW BOOK:

Winning the Knowledge Game by Alastair Rylatt provides practical advice on the strategies, tactics and systems you need to be capable and agile in this rapidly changing business world.

To help you meet this challenge he explores three key questions:

How do you win the hearts and minds of people to smarter learning?

How do you grow competitive advantage?

How do you sustain and ensure lasting success?

By drawing on great ideas from Australia and New Zealand, as well as wisdom from world’s best practice, Winning the Knowledge Game focuses on the thinking and attitudes required to remain knowledgable, competitive and high-performing.

Lean Thinker Update - June 2003 - Update to the ground breaking book "Lean Thinking"

If you've read Natural Capitalism (Hawken, Lovins & Lovins) you'll remember the chapter on cutting waste (muda) from production systems. Well that chapter was based on the book Lean Thinking by Womak and Jones.

This book is significant for helping us achieve an ecologically-sustainable economy because it identified ways to rearrange production systems along the whole supply chain to achieve very considerable economic gain, but also with the positive side effect of reduced material consumption and a shift to a recycling economy.
The paper introduces a new edition of the book and discusses some of the strategies for promoting lean production within firms and along value chains. These strategies could also make a very useful contribution to change on environmental issues.
Source: Philip Sutton (Philip.Sutton@green-innovations.asn.au ) via the Greenleap newsletter - send blank message to greenleap-subscribe@yahoogroups.com to subscribe.

National Youth Environment Forum

Environment Minister Marian Hobbs marked World Environment Day on 5 June by announcing the establishment of a national Youth Environment Forum.

"Young people can make a real difference to the environment," Marian Hobbs said. "Many other countries have environmental youth councils which have propelled young environmentalists to the world stage.

"A formally structured national forum for young New Zealanders with an interest in the environment will have a real impact." EMA Economic Intelligence Network Lunch with Alan Oxley - 11 June 2003

Wednesday, 11 June 12 noon to 2.00 pm at the Carlton Hotel, Auckland

Alan Oxley is Chairman of the national Australian APEC Study Centre, one of Australia's leading Asia Pacific "think tanks" based at Monash University, Melbourne. He will speak at this lunch on "20 years of CER: Building on Success". He will answer your questions on Australian trade policy and the impact of the US/Australia FTA on Australia.

Reserve your place now calling 09 367 0909 or 0800 800 362. New Zealand Goes Green In Record Numbers

New Zealander's commitment to the environment has been highlighted by a record number of entries for this year's Green Ribbon Awards.

"We've received more than 200 nominations for the awards this year and this reflects the hard work the community is putting in for the environment," Environment Minister Marian Hobbs said.

"People like the Green Ribbon winners are critical in changing community attitudes and behaviours to the environment. The government has a role through the Water Programme of Action and through partnerships as in the Clean Streams Accord. But it's people like these who make the difference on the ground day after day.

"The work these people do is often hard, time-consuming and un-rewarded. Yet it is vital to improving the quality of our environment.

"All the winners and nominees for these awards are doing their bit and are providing leadership in their communities, inspiring others to follow," Marian Hobbs said.

Windflow Puts First Kilowatts to the South Island Grid

Windflow Technology's wind-generated energy became a reality on 6 June when 100 kilowatt hours (kWh) were sent into the national grid during the first hour of operation, an average of 100 kW. For comparison the average household would use approximately 170 kWh per week.

The Windflow 500 windmill at Gebbies Pass will continue to be monitored and its output rating gradually increased to 200 kW for the next week, stepping up to 350 kW and then 500 kW. Unattended operation will be the next major milestone, which will mark the end of the commissioning period. Note that until then, passers-by should not expect to see the windmill turning continuously.

Body Shop & Greenpeace Switch It On!

Press Release by Greenpeace at 10 Jun 2003 12:47

Greenpeace and the Body Shop have joined forces to launch a Switch postcard campaign calling on Helen Clark to lead the country to switch to 100% clean renewable energy supply by 2020, and away from polluting power such as coal.

The launch took place at New Zealand's first owned, designed and manufactured wind turbine by Windflow, on Banks Peninsula on the 6 month anniversary of the Government signing the Kyoto Protocol.

Source: Sustainable Energy Forum News and Newsroom -

Canada to Support Hydrogen Fuel Projects with $14.1 million

New hydrogen-fuel technologies that will be key to creating economic opportunities and addressing climate change received new support from the Government of Canada today.

Source: Point Carbon. To subscribe, send an e-mail to majordomo@pointcarbon.com with 'subscribe pcmao' in the message body.

UNEP Targets Retail and Fashion Industry to Promote 'Cool' Green Lifestyles

BRUSSELS, Belgium, June 3, 2003 - From the catwalk to the consumer, the world's leading fashion designers and retail giants could play a major role in saving the planet.

Whether it is the high-end labels of Prada or Versace or the high-street brands of Carrefour, Monoprix, and Marks and Spencer, a growing number of professionals in the fashion and retail business are responding to a latent public demand for ethical and green products.

In support of these efforts, the United Nations Environment Program is working on a new initiative dubbed "shopping for a better world," which aims to influence the $7 trillion global retail industry. At the same time, new partnerships with people from the fashion world hope to bring environmental messages to a new and increasingly influential audience.

Visit Greenbiz for the full story. Source: http://www.GreenBiz.com London Congestion Charges cut Traffic Jams

Story from BBC NEWS: Published: 2003/06/06 10:40:56 GMT

The congestion charge has cut traffic jams by 40% on London's roads, the first full review of the scheme has found.

Mayor Ken Livingstone predicted congestion would be cut by between 20% and 30%, which would have raised at least £130m towards London's public transport.

But the latest findings from Transport for London (TfL) show the £5 daily charge to drive into central London has reduced jams by nearly twice that amount.

Traffic speeds are up by one third, although the average speed is still only 11mph, meaning the average driver is spending 13% less time in his car.

Mr Livingstone said the results meant even the scheme's sceptics would have to recognise its benefits.

He added: "Fewer traffic jams and faster, more-reliable journey times into and within central London are good for business, tourism and Londoners."

But many businesses say they have been affected in some way by the charge, as fewer customers are prepared to drive in.

And the AA Motoring Trust said it believed fewer roadworks and re-phased traffic lights had also had an impact on congestion.

TfL compared the first three months of the charge to the same period last year to compile the figures.

The report also found 2,000 motorists have switched to the Tube at rush hour and 6,000 are taking the bus.

An average of 98,000 motorists and 12,000 fleet vehicles pay the charge every day.

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