|
After only five years in operation, Net Balance is now one of largest providers of sustainability advice, assurance, and research in Australia. We have accomplished this through organic growth, by building a team of like-minded, highly qualified and experienced professionals with a passion to transform organisations from good to great through sustainable practices. In January 2010 we opened our London office to expand our expertise to the UK and Europe.
The Net Balance team represents expertise in the following specialisations:
- Independent Assurance of sustainability reports using the AA1000AS (2008).
- Sustainability Strategy, Management & Implementation.
- Climate Change, Greenhouse Solutions and Life Cycle Assessment.
- Environmental Management auditing, including energy, waste and water.
- Social Impact Assessment and Management, including community investment.
We have helped a large number of organisations accomplish their sustainability goals. Some of our clients include Foster’s Group, Bunnings, EPA Victoria, Insurance Australia Group, and Commonwealth Bank.
The experience gained from working with large organisations ensures that our clients have access to groundbreaking developments in the area of sustainability. Some examples are:
Foster’s Group
Net Balance Management Group (Net Balance) has worked with Foster’s to help shape Foster’s Sustainability Agenda. This has included assistance in identifying material issues, stakeholder engagement, reviewing greenhouse data, review of sustainability data and facilitation of target setting.
In 2008, Net Balance worked with Foster’s to help launch Cascade Green. Cascade Green is a 100% carbon offset beer with Australian Government Greenhouse Friendly™ certification and is among only a handful of products approved under the Greenhouse Friendly™ Program. As part of the certification process, Net Balance conducted an extensive Lifecycle Analysis (LCA) in accordance with the ISO 14040 series to calculate the total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions generated by the beer. The LCA was independently verified by Government nominated assessors. The carbon lifecycle of the beer extends from ‘cradle to grave’ and includes everything from picking the hops to putting the empty bottle in a recycling bin. It includes impacts from energy generation within the business and suppliers, waste and waste treatment, product marketing, packaging and an allowance for refrigeration in the consumer’s fridge. An Emissions Monitoring Plan is in place to meet the commitments required for ongoing Greenhouse Friendly™ certification.
In addition, Net Balance has recently assisted Foster's in conducting a LCA for the company’s Wolf Blass Green Label. Wolf Blass identified that it could achieve significant GHG reductions by bottling the wine in lightweight recyclable plastic (PET). The LCA was conducted in accordance with current Australian Standards for Life Cycle Assessment in the ISO 14040 series, and was also independently peer reviewed.
To view the letter of commendation from Fosters, click here.
For more information please see cascadegreen.com.au and wolfblassgreenlabel.com.au
Bunnings
Net Balance has worked closely with Bunnings on a variety of projects to help the company in moving towards best practice sustainability management. Our climate change experts have worked with the Sustainability Reference Group at Bunnings in carbon neutral strategy development, greenhouse gas inventory development, offset purchasing, funding sourcing and energy efficient store design.
We provided support to Bunnings in a range of sustainability areas throughout 2007 and 2008 including, but not limited to:
- Energy review of Bunnings operations and recommendations for energy efficiency;
- Greenhouse footprint calculation;
- Assistance with the energy efficient lighting program and trials;
- Completion of an initial assessment of the possible impact of the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS);
- Review of primary, secondary and tertiary packaging at Bunnings and producing a comprehensive report leading to supply chain initiatives;
- Review of green products – their increasing market, Bunnings’ position, and Bunnings’ contribution to minimising impact through water saving and energy saving devices.
Ferguson Plarre
In 2009, Ferguson Plarre was recognised for their environmental excellence in winning the coveted Gold Banksia Award as well as the Small and Medium Enterprises Business Sustainability Award. For a number of years Ferguson Plarre has stood at the leading edge of environmental sustainability. The company has taken innovative actions including the purchase of Victoria’s first hybrid diesel truck, installation of heat recovery systems in its new central baking facility, rainwater recycle systems and the purchase of carbon offsets.
Net Balance Foundation has worked with Ferguson Plarre to investigate the amount of greenhouse gas emissions and water resulting from production of Ferguson Plarre’s products. The study incorporated greenhouse gas emissions and water use arising from all stages in the production chain – from the sourcing of raw ingredients, transport of ingredients, production at the central baking facility, distribution of products, to retailing at Ferguson Plarre’s stores. This study identified and analysed the major sources of GHG emissions and water use in the production chain of Ferguson Plarre’s products and made recommendations to achieve reductions.
Net Balance also worked closely with Ferguson Plarre to develop an Environmental Management System (EMS). The EMS assists Ferguson Plarre to manage their environmental programs and initiatives in line with the ISO14001 international standard for environmental management. More importantly, the EMS is a user friendly tool that provides a central point for tracking environmental progress and will therefore assist Ferguson Plarre to communicate clear and consistent messages to staff and customers their environmental performance.
To view the letter of commendation from Ferguson Plarre, click here.
|
|
|
