Newsletter 3 - September 2008
As climate change has become a mainstream issue in recent times, the question many businesses are asking themselves is what are the motivating factors behind the public's purchasing decision? And how can they position themselves in the market to give that much needed competitive edge?
All Australian industry sectors are being encouraged to contribute to the new Australian Life Cycle Inventory (AusLCI), a national database that will enable Life Cycle Assessments (including carbon footprint) to be done on a wide range of Australian products and services as well as provide additional comprehensive environmental information.
In what is believed to be a world first in conservation, Victoria's largest credit union, mecu, has launched a Conservation Landbank that will receive a percentage of annual profits to help build and preserve Australian native forest.
Returnable plastic crates beat the environmental performance of materials such as corrugated fibreboard, waxed corrugated fibreboard and expanded polystyrene in a new research study of materials handling and packaging products commissioned by Coles Group Limited.
As Australians become more conscious of the need to reduce their environmental impact, 'eco-friendly' products can deliver a powerful market advantage to their manufacturers.
But the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has issued a clear warning to companies about 'greenwashing' (making environmental claims that are not scientifically sound and properly substantiated), in the guide 'Green marketing and the Trade Practices Act'.
While the rapid pace of climate change is putting increasing pressure on business to develop sound carbon management strategies, organisations often struggle to prioritise actions and decide on the approaches that will provide the best outcomes.
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