The Northern Rivers region of New South Wales is renowned for its stunning landscapes, vibrant communities, and progressive attitudes towards sustainability. As one of the most sustainably conscious areas in Australia, the Northern Rivers is a beacon of how communities can come together to protect and preserve the environment. At Cool Planet, we believe that community engagement is crucial to building a sustainable future, and we are proud to support local businesses in their sustainability journeys.
Community engagement involves collaborating with local residents, businesses, and organisations to address environmental challenges and promote sustainable practices. It fosters a sense of shared responsibility and collective action, which is essential for creating lasting positive change. In the Byron Shire, where the community’s commitment to sustainability is strong, effective engagement can lead to innovative solutions and widespread adoption of eco-friendly practices.
Cool Planet is dedicated to helping businesses and communities in the Northern Rivers achieve their sustainability goals. We offer a range of services, including carbon offsetting, sustainability strategy and support, carbon footprint measurement, and assistance with certifications such as Climate Active, B-Corp, and EcoVadis. By working closely with local businesses, we help them reduce their environmental impact and enhance their sustainability credentials.
We are proud to count several leading businesses in the Byron Shire as our clients. These businesses are not only committed to their own sustainability goals but also play a significant role in inspiring and leading the community towards a greener future. Our local clients include:
At Cool Planet, we understand that achieving sustainability requires more than just individual efforts; it demands a community-wide approach. Here are some ways we support community engagement in the Northern Rivers:
The Northern Rivers region exemplifies how a community can come together to champion sustainability. By engaging with local businesses and residents, we can create a network of support and innovation that drives lasting environmental change. Cool Planet is committed to being a part of this journey, providing the guidance and services needed to make a significant impact.
As we look to the future, we invite more businesses and community members in the Byron Shire in particular to join us in building a sustainable future. Together, we can protect our beautiful environment, support our vibrant communities, and create a legacy of sustainability for generations to come.
For more information on how Cool Planet can support your sustainability goals, please visit our website or contact us directly on 1300 68 78 88 or [email protected].
Let’s work together to make the Northern Rivers a model of sustainability for all of Australia.
*78% of people now consider sustainability important, making sustainability certifications a smart way to highlight your commitment to clients, investors and employees.
Science Based Targets, Climate Active, B-Corp, and EcoVadis are four well-known certifications focused on specific sustainability and corporate responsibilities. They each offer benefits and levels of time and effort to achieve certification. Here’s a quick breakdown of each:
Science Based Targets (SBTi)
Purpose: The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) helps companies set greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction targets in line with the latest climate science to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement, which aims to limit global warming to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and pursue efforts to limit warming to 1.5°C.
Key Features:
• Targets are independently assessed and validated by the SBTi.
• Focus on aligning corporate GHG reduction targets with climate science.
• Provides sector-specific guidance and tools for setting targets.
Audience: Companies of all sizes and sectors looking to demonstrate leadership on climate action.
Climate Active
Purpose: Climate Active is an Australian government program that certifies businesses and organizations as carbon neutral. It provides a framework for measuring, reducing, and offsetting carbon emissions.
Key Features:
• Certification process involves calculating the full carbon footprint, implementing reduction strategies, and offsetting remaining emissions through certified carbon offsets.
• Offers branding and marketing benefits by allowing certified organisations to use the Climate Active logo.
• Focuses on carbon neutrality rather than science-based target setting.
Audience: Primarily Australian businesses and organisations, but also applicable to others who wish to achieve carbon neutrality.
B-Corp
Purpose: B-Corp (Certified B Corporation) is a certification for businesses that meet high standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency.
Key Features:
• Comprehensive assessment covering governance, workers, community, environment, and customers.
• The certification process includes a rigorous assessment and verification by B Lab, the nonprofit that certifies B Corps.
• Encourages businesses to balance purpose and profit by considering the impact of their decisions on workers, customers, suppliers, community, and the environment.
Audience: Companies of all sizes and sectors committed to social and environmental responsibility.
EcoVadis
Purpose: EcoVadis provides a holistic sustainability rating service for businesses. It assesses companies’ sustainability performance across a range of criteria, including environmental, social, and ethical factors.
Key Features:
• Uses a comprehensive framework to evaluate sustainability management across four themes: Environment, Labor & Human Rights, Ethics, and Sustainable Procurement.
• Provides detailed scorecards that highlight strengths and areas for improvement.
• Ratings are used by global supply chains to monitor the sustainability performance of their suppliers.
Audience: Companies of all sizes and industries looking to assess and improve their sustainability practices and demonstrate their commitment to sustainability to stakeholders and customers.
Summary
• Science-Based Targets (SBTi): Focuses on setting GHG reduction targets aligned with climate science.
• Climate Active: An Australian certification for carbon neutrality, emphasising measuring, reducing, and offsetting carbon emissions.
• B-Corp: Certification for businesses meeting high standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency.
• EcoVadis: Provides a holistic sustainability rating covering environmental, social, and ethical performance, used mainly for assessing supply chain sustainability.
Each program serves different purposes and caters to different needs within the realm of sustainability and corporate responsibility.
Cool Planet can help decide which certification is best suited for your business. Contact us today.
At Cool Planet, we guide businesses to reach ‘net-zero-emissions’ with practical and effective solutions. The mitigation hierarchy is central to this journey, offering a structured approach to minimise and offset your environmental impact.
The Benefits To Your Business
Understanding and implementing the mitigation hierarchy can significantly benefit your business by improving efficiency, enhancing sustainability, and meeting regulatory standards. Here’s how it works:
The Mitigation Hierarchy
1. Avoidance
Avoiding emissions reduces operational costs and positions your business as a leader in sustainability.
How? Through strategic planning and adopting new technologies, you can eliminate unnecessary emissions from the start.
2. Reduction
Lower emissions mean lower energy costs and a smaller carbon footprint, enhancing your brand reputation.
How? Improve efficiency, transition to cleaner energy sources, and adopt sustainable practices to reduce emissions.
3. Offsetting
Offsetting allows you to achieve net zero, making your business more attractive to eco-conscious consumers and partners.
How? Invest in environmental projects that reduce, remove, or avoid emissions elsewhere to balance out unavoidable emissions.
Why Carbon Offsets Are Essential
Certain sectors like heavy manufacturing, aviation, and agriculture face technological and economic constraints that make zero emissions currently unachievable. This is where carbon offsets come in:
• Enable Faster Action: Take immediate steps to reduce your carbon footprint while working on long-term reduction strategies.
• Support Sustainable Projects: Fund renewable energy, forest conservation, and reforestation projects, contributing to broader environmental benefits.
• Promote Innovation: Drive the development of new technologies that will make future emission reductions easier.
Moving Forward with Cool Planet
Cool Planet helps businesses navigate the complex balance between direct emission reductions and carbon offsets, ensuring your strategy is both effective and forward-thinking.
Benefits of Partnering with Cool Planet
• Expert Guidance: Receive tailored advice and strategies to meet current sustainability standards and future improvements.
• Enhanced Brand Image: Position your business as a sustainability leader, attracting eco-conscious customers and partners.
• Operational Efficiency: Reduce costs and improve efficiency through strategic emission reductions and offset investments.
Stand out from your competitors and make a positive change today.
Contact Cool Planet today to learn how we can help you integrate carbon offsets into your sustainability strategy and achieve net zero emissions.
At Cool Planet, we understand that every business’s journey towards sustainability is unique. Embarking on this path not only reflects your commitment to a healthier planet but also boosts your company’s resilience and appeal in an increasingly eco-conscious market. One of the most crucial steps is measuring your carbon footprint. So, what’s in it for you?
A carbon footprint quantifies the total greenhouse gas emissions caused directly and indirectly by your business. Understanding your carbon footprint is essential as it highlights where you’re making the most significant environmental impact and identifies areas for improvement. Without measuring these emissions, your sustainability efforts may miss their mark, akin to sailing a ship without a compass.
Measuring your carbon footprint offers numerous benefits that directly impact your business operations, reputation, and bottom line:
At Cool Planet, we help businesses across Australia understand and manage their environmental impact through our effective approach:
Knowing your carbon footprint is the foundation for a robust sustainability strategy. Cool Planet guides you through every step of this process. From measurement to management and beyond, our expertise ensures that your sustainability journey is not just about compliance but about capitalising on growth and leadership opportunities in sustainability.
Ready to start your sustainability journey by understanding your carbon footprint? Contact Cool Planet today. Together, we can pave the way towards a more sustainable and prosperous future for your business.
Get in touch with our team by emailing [email protected] for a free, no-obligation quote for carbon footprint measurement.
In Sydney, approximately 120,000 glass jars and over 200 tonnes of reclaimed asphalt were ingeniously utilised to rejuvenate a one-kilometre stretch along Clarence Street. Since July 2021, Sydney has used more than 1.5 million recycled glass jars and over 6000 tonnes of reclaimed asphalt within its road renewal initiative.
Clover Moore AO, Lord Mayor of Sydney, emphasised, ‘What was once discarded as waste is now recognised as a valuable resource. This shift from linear thinking holds immense significance in combatting climate change and fostering circular economy outcomes.’
Interestingly, 20% of the asphalt stems from roads at the end of their lifecycle. Importantly, this increased use of recycled materials hasn’t compromised the surface quality & durability of the road.
Annually resurfacing around 35,000 m2 of road, the City of Sydney underscores the enduring benefits of favouring sustainable materials. Beyond glass and reclaimed asphalt, innovative materials like crumbed rubber, printer toner, and soft plastics have been integrated into asphalt mixes for road resurfacing.
Additionally, the City of Sydney is among the 16 Sydney councils committed to ‘Paving the Way,’ a collaborative initiative led by the Southern Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils. This concerted effort aims to employ 100 million glass containers yearly in local road renewal projects.
Over the last 14 years, Cool Planet has assisted Government sustainability schemes like this – At local, state and federal levels. Find out how Cool Planet can help your organisation, no matter the size.
The organisations and individuals leading positive environmental change were recognised at the recent ‘Premier’s Sustainability Awards’ in Victoria.
This prestigious annual sustainability awards program celebrates Victorian businesses, local governments and communities leading the way in sustainable innovation and practices. Each of the six categories has two winners, which were refreshed in 2021 to align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Minister for Environment Steve Dimopoulos congratulated the 12 awards winners, commenting: “The Premier’s Sustainability Awards recognise Victorians that are dedicated to sustainability and who are working towards a thriving circular economy.”
A broad range of businesses and community groups were championed, from Bunyip Renewables Action Group, whose vision is to transition their community to 100 per cent renewable energy by 2030; UPPAREL, a textile recovery and recycling initiative aiming to combat the global textile waste crisis; and Porous Lane, a company turning waste tyres into permeable pavement.
Premier Jacinta Allan personally selected the winners of the two overall awards. The Premier’s Recognition Award was presented to Assembled Threads and Geelong Sustainability received the Premier’s Regional Recognition Award.
Matt Genever, Interim CEO, of Sustainability Victoria, said, “All of these winners have challenged the status quo and shown true leadership in their fields. I feel inspired and elated to hear their stories and learn about the difference they’re making.”
To view the profiles of the winners and finalists, visit www.sustainability.vic.gov.au/psa-2023-winners or see list below.
Premier’s Recognition Award
Premier’s Regional Recognition Award
Circular Economy Innovation
Future Energy
Healthy and Fair Society
Thriving Environment
Sustainable Places
Waste and Recycling Solutions
