Ecological Footprint Calculator identifies improvements for PACIA

Electricity and domestic travel were identified as the two biggest environmental impacts when the Plastics and Chemicals Industry Association (PACIA) used an online Ecological Footprint calculator to measure the environmental performance of its Melbourne office.

PACIA found that:

• Electricity was the largest contributor (43 per cent) to the office Ecological Footprint.
• Domestic travel (primarily air) was the second largest contributor (26 per cent).
• Building life and paper each contributed about 6 per cent to the Ecological Footprint.

As a result, the organisation now purchases 100 per cent green power, strives to maintain a minimum level of interstate travel through extensive use of teleconferencing, and incorporates energy efficient criteria into office purchasing decisions. To encourage sustainable transport choices, staff have the option to salary sacrifice yearly public transport tickets.

The intent of the Calculator is to establish a baseline from which improvements can be measured, with annual changes being more important than the absolute number. The Ecological Footprint is also an excellent vehicle for communicating the environmental impact and performance of an office to staff.

Visit Ecological Footprint to find out more, or to calculate your personal, home, office or events footprint.

PACIA is a member of the Carbon Innovators Network.