Australia National CSR Audit Report FINAL

8/8/2019 Australia National CSR Audit Report FINAL

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A report commissioned by Business Events Australia, Tourism Australia

Released February 2009

NationalCorporate Social Responsibility

(CSR) AuditFor Australias Business Events sector


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This report outlines theresults of Tourism AustraliasNational Corporate SocialResponsibility (CSR) Audit,conducted with theAustralian Business Eventsindustry in the secondhalf of 2008.

InternetYou can access this report and furtherinformation on CSR initiatives online

at businessevents.australia.com

About Business Events Australia

Business Events Australia is thebusiness group within TourismAustralia dedicated to promotingAustralia as a sustainable destination

for corporate meetings, incentives,association conferences andconventions. The Business Events

Australia program is delivered by aspecialist team located in Sydney andthe key markets of Hong Kong, Japan,

New Zealand, United Kingdom and theUnited States. For more informationabout Business Events Australia go to:

businessevents.australia.comor call +61 2 9360 1111

AcknowledgementsTourism Australia would like toacknowledge the CSR Audit PilotGroup: Qantas; Sydney Convention

and Exhibition Centre; BridgeClimb;Hayman Island; Great SouthernE-vents; and Encore; for their

contribution to the development of theAudit. Special thanks to Frank Hubbard,IHG; Australias Convention Bureaux;

and to the 278 organisations who

completed the online questionnaire.The Audit was conducted by AMRInteractive for Tourism Australia.

Source of VerbatimsThroughout this report, verbatim quoteshave been used from respondentsto the online survey. These appear on

pages 3, 5, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19and show the range of commentaryprovided about CSR initiatives.

Tourism Australias National Corporate Social Responsibility Audit

demonstrates how seriously Australia takes the issue of sustainabletourism and it provides proof of the milestones being reached across thesector. The Audit will play an important role in strengthening Australiasglobal reputation in delivering world-class, sustainable events. This isa terric opportunity for the Australian business events industry tohighlight their expertise, products, and commitment to sustainability.

Media release from the Hon. Martin Ferguson AM MP, Minister for Tourism, 28 July 2008


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Contents

National Corporate Social Responsibility Audit (CSR) | For Australias business events sector

02 Identifying Australias Corporate

Social Responsibility (CSR) Credentials02 What is CSR?03 About the National CSR Audit

03 CSR Audit Objectives03 CSR Audit Methodology03 Key Issues

04 CSR Audit Participants04 Number of Participants

04 Geographical Locations04 Key Respondents04 Size and Prole of Key Respondents

08 Executive Summary

10 Green Accreditation10 Current Levels of Green Accreditation10 Range of Accreditation Types

12 Growing Commitment to Accreditation12 Barriers to Accreditation12 Selecting the Right Accreditation

14 CSR Management14 Strategic CSR Decision-Making

14 Written CSR Policies and Strategies

16 Day-to-Day Management of CSR Issues16 Changing Behaviour:

Internal Communication of CSR Issues16 Measuring Environmental Impact

17 Green Products and Initiatives17 Increased Demand for Green Product

17 Driving the Demand for Green Product18 CSR Responses to Client Demand18 Programs to Reduce Environmental Impacts

18 Benchmarking

20 Conclusions


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Identifying Australias Corporate Social

Responsibility (CSR) Credentials

2

What is Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)?Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) involves a commitmentto contribute to the economic, environmental and socialsustainability of communities through the on-goingengagement of stakeholders, active participation ofcommunities impacted by company activities and thepublic reporting of company policies and performancein the economic, environmental and social arenas.

Increasingly CSR is the decision-making and implementationprocess that guides all company activities in the protectionand promotion of international human rights, labourand environmental standards and compliance with legalrequirements within its operations and in its relations tothe societies and communities where it operates.Source: http://www.bench-marks.org/glossary.shtml



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About the National CSR Audit

There is now greater global demandto deliver business events which havea strong social and environmentalfocus. Increasingly, corporate meeting

and incentive planners from aroundthe world are seeking informationon venues and services in Australia,

which can assist businesses in stagingevents that are more sustainable.

CSR Audit ObjectivesIn response to these demands TourismAustralia conducted a NationalCorporate Social Responsibility Audit

in the second half of 2008 to identifythe CSR credentials of the businessevents industry in Australia.

The Audit was undertaken followinga pilot survey conducted in June 2008,

where six key operators assisted indeveloping the Audit. These operatorsincluded: Qantas, Sydney Convention

and Exhibition Centre, BridgeClimb,Hayman Island, Great SouthernE-vents and Encore.

Key objectives of the CSR Audit were to:

Gather evidence to market AustraliasCSR credentials to position Australiaas a destination where the naturalenvironment is valued and protected;

Use information and evidence tosupport the marketing of Australia

as a sustainable business eventsdestination; and

Develop an inventory of product

and case studies for best practicein the Business Events industry.

CSR Audit Methodology

Business Events organisations fromaround Australia were invited toparticipate. Between 1 August and31 October 2008, 278 organisations

completed the online Auditquestionnaire. The Audit questionnaireasked respondents a series of

questions on a range of key issues,outlined below.

Key IssuesThe National CSR Audit focused onthe following issues to identifythe CSR credentials of the Business

Events industry in Australia:

Current and intended levels

of green accreditation

How organisations manage CSR issues

Demand for green productsand services

Breadth of green product

Green community initiatives, and

CSR programs and projects.

From the Audit results presented in thisreport, potential and existing clients of

Australias Business Events industry canbe better informed about Australiasgreen and socially responsible operators

from convention centres, conferenceand incentive hotels to staging companies.

The Audit will help inform marketingwith evidence of accredited product.This will ensure that clients are presented

with credentialled, appropriatelybenchmarked CSR operators. In theend, it will be up to clients to choose

the type of event they wish to holdin Australia. If Australian operators

can assist clients towards conductingmore responsible events this willultimately benet the client, operatorand host community.

3

Identifying Australias Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Credentials

There is now greaterglobal demand todeliver businessevents which havea strong social andenvironmental focus.

Within our event contracting we offer a rangeof services and advice on waste reduction and energyminimisation initiatives.

Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC)


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Number of Participants

278 organisations participated inTourism Australias National CSR Audit,representing a broad range of operatorswithin the business events industry

in Australia (see Chart 1 overleaf).

Geographical LocationsOver half of respondents were from

NSW. Another 30% were from Victoriaand Queensland combined. For thelocation of Audit participants across

the States and Territories (see Chart 2).

Key Respondents

Many organisations in the tourismindustry cater to both the businessevents and leisure tourism sectors.As the purpose of the Audit is to

identify the CSR credentials of thebusiness events industry in Australia,a core group 58 per cent of Audit

participants have been classied asKey Respondents. The Key Respondentsare the major operators in the sector

with the biggest ecological footprint.This includes accommodationproviders, venues, Convention and

Exhibition Centres, and ConventionBureaux (see Table 1).

Size and Prole of Key Respondents

The responses of the key respondentsmost closely reect current CSR policiesand practices in the business eventsindustry in Australia. The responses

also provide a better understandingof the availability of resources for,and inuences on, CSR initiatives

undertaken in Australia. Where keyrespondents express signicantlydifferent responses from the total

group of Audit respondents, it is notedin this report.

The CSR Audit results show that larger

companies and those which arepart of an international organisationare signicantly more advanced in

addressing CSR issues. It is thereforerelevant to note what proportionof the Audit respondents they form.

Chart 3 shows that half of all keyrespondents are relatively larger

organisations, with more than 100employees. Similarly, slightly morethan half of key respondents are part

of an international organisation.

CSR Audit Participants

Table 1: Key Respondents

Key Respondents Accommodation Convention& Exhibition Centre

Venues Convention& Visitors Bureaux

Accommodation 121 1 57 1

Convention & Exhibition Centre 1 8 2 0

Venues 57 2 79 0

Convention & Visitors Bureaux 1 0 0 14

Please note:Organisations selected multiple sectors and as such, are represented in multiple sector categories in the reporting of the results.

For example, out of 121 of the respondents from the Accommodation sector, 57 also selected Venues as a sector.

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The CSR Audit resultsshow that largercompanies and thosewhich are partof an internationalorganisation aresignicantly moreadvanced in

addressing CSR issues

Left: BridgeClimb has several CSRinitiatives in place and regularly donatesClimbs to charitable organisations for

fundraising purposes.

All Mirvac developments are designed to enhance thelatest in environmental & sustainability controls adoptedor required by state or local approval authority. Ongoingprocedures include embracing the local environment, localcommunity from which we employ & systems to continueproperty operation to meet sustainability design criteria.

Mirvac Hotels & Resorts

5


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Chart 1: Sector Categories of CSR Audit Participants

Accommodation

44%

Convention & Exhibition Centres

3%

Business Event Management (incl PCOs,DMCs, ITOs & Incentive House/Agent

35%

Industry Representation* (inclConvention & Visitors Bureaux, Local,

State or Federal Gvt & STOs)

14%

Attraction

9%

Venues

28%

Retail

1%

Travel Agent1%

Marketing & PR (incl Advertising,Marketing Representation, Media & PR) 6%

Business Event Services (incl Audio Visual,Catering, Education, Entertainment

Agencies, Interpreting Services, IT,Software Supplier/Web Services, Speakers

Bureaux & Team Building)31%

Transport

10%

Question 3:How would you classify your organisation?*80% of City Convention Centres responded to the survey.

Please note: Organisations selected multiple sectors and as such, are represented in multiple sector categories in the reporting of the results.



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Question 2:Approximately how many full and part time employees (including contractors) are there in your head ofce?

Question 15:Are you part of an international brand or chain of companies?

Base:Key Respondents.

Less than 10 10 to 49 50 to 99 100+ Dont know

Chart 3: Size and Profile of Key Respondents

15% 23% 10% 50% 2%

Number of Employees

Yes No

47%

International Brand/Chain

53%


Chart 2: Location of CSR Audit Participants

01 02

03

04

05

06

0708

01 Western Australia 6%

02 Australian Central Territory 5%

03 New South Wales 53%

04 Northern Territory 1%

05 Queensland 14%

06 South Australia 5%

07 Tasmania 1%

08 Victoria 15%


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Executive Summary

The CSR Audit results provideinsight on how the Australianbusiness events industry isperforming in terms of themajor Corporate SocialResponsibility issues of greenaccreditation; organisationalmanagement of CSR issues;green products and services;and measures the industryis taking to reduce its

environmental impact.The results of the CSR Audit makeclear the industry leadership on

CSR issues being shown by largecompanies employing over 100people, international enterprises,

Accommodation, Venues, Conventionand Exhibition Centres and ConventionBureaux. Conversely, the Audit results

highlight potential barriers to achievingCSR aims for smaller businesses.

Green accreditation provides

third-party acknowledgement thatan organisation has met agreed

standards of CSR policies and practices.Currently one third of all respondentsare accredited, while half of key

respondents are accredited.Accreditation levels for large andinternational enterprises are twice the

industry average. Importantly, the CSRAudit shows that levels of accreditationare set to rise signicantly over the

next year for all industry sectors.

The Green Globe Bronze and Silver,

Tourism Accreditation Australia andthe Ecotourism Australia accreditationsare the most popular with the

respondents choosing from the widerange of accreditations available.

Barriers to accreditation revealed by the

CSR Audit include lack of understandingconcerning the different programs anda perceived lack of resources to devote

to seeking accreditation, especiallyamong smaller businesses.

Allocation of responsibility for CSR

policies and practices reects the proleand importance of CSR issues within an

organisation. The Audit shows thatstrategic CSR decision-making generallyrests with senior management, although

a high level of responsibility appliesacross all layers of many enterprises.CSR policies are mainly driven by

company policy and regulatoryobligations, although industry trends,reputational issues and client demand

all inuence the decision to adoptCSR practices.

Specically allocating responsibility

for day-to-day management of CSRissues is critical to ensuring policies andpractices are implemented. Almost

twice as many large and internationalorganisations appoint CSR teams tohandle these issues, compared with the

industry average, with a large numberhaving specic personnel dedicatedto the day-to-day management of CSR.

While the Audit identies a varietyof communication channels and

initiatives which are being used tochange behaviours in the workplace,

the majority of Audit respondentsdo not currently measure theirenvironmental impact.

Larger and international enterprises

are leaders in this regard, both interms of impact measurement andpublic accountability.

The Audit revealed that two in threerespondents are not participating in

offset programs, with other activitiesand programs to reduce environmentalimpacts preferred, including both

in-house and external initiatives.A pleasing result is that a signicantnumber of respondents give preference

to locally sourced products and services.

The industry noted a marked increasein demand for green products and

services over the past year, particularlyamong Convention Centres andVenues. The CSR Audit results suggest

that Australian clients are the majordrivers of demand for green of ferings;internationally, the markets of Europe

the United Kingdom and United Statesof America are actively looking forlow impact business events. Larger

companies and international chains,as well as accredited organisations,are much more responsive to such

demand, offering a range of low impactoptions identied by the CSR Audit.

Australias biggest operators appearwell placed to cater to a growingdemand for CSR options in business

events. However, smaller operatorsappear to be uncertain about whichaccreditation programs to pursue.

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The Green GlobeBronze and Silver,Tourism AccreditationAustralia and theEcotourism Australiaaccreditations are themost popular with therespondents choosing

from the widerange of Australianaccreditationsavailable.

Left: Adelaide Convention Centre CEOAlec Gilbert with worms from their new

worm farm.

CSR Audit Results: Executive Summary

9

We renew our vehicles every two years to make sure wehave the most fuel efcient and latest emission controls.We recycle all of our waste products, our accommodationuses only rainwater and has an envirocycle for the garden.We also employ only local staff and use as much localproduce as possible.

Kangaroo Island Wilderness Tours


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Green accreditationis considerablyhigher among largeorganisationsemploying over100 people andinternational chains,where around 60

per cent hold at leastone accreditation.

Green Accreditation

10

Green accreditation is a publicacknowledgement that anorganisation has met agreedstandards of CSR policiesand practices. The businessevents industry was askedabout what types of greenaccreditations they currentlyhold and their plans to seekaccreditation over thecoming years. Respondents

were also asked aboutbarriers to seekingaccreditation.

Current Levels of Green AccreditationOne third of total Audit respondentsand almost half (46 per cent) of thekey respondents reported holding

at least one green accreditation froma list of 18 programs (refer to Chart 4).Green accreditation is considerably

higher among large organisationsemploying over 100 people and

international chains, where around 60per cent hold at least one accreditation.

The most advanced sectors of the

business events industry in Australiain terms of CSR accreditation areConvention & Exhibition Centres

and Venues, with two thirds (63 percent) currently holding at leastone accreditation. More than half

(56 per cent) of accommodationproviders, retailers and travel agentsare also accredited.

New South Wales and Victoria are

leading the way when it comes toaccreditation, reecting that more

operators are within these states andthat it is a particular focus in these areas.

Range of Accreditation Types

While ISO (International Organisationfor Standardisation) 14000, 14001accreditations are held by 16 per centof Audit respondents and 25 per cent

of key respondents, most reportedbeing accredited with at least oneof a wide range of programs, including

Australian travel and tourismaccreditations, building-relatedaccreditations and other more general

green accreditations.

There is no industry concentrationaround a particular Australian

accreditation program. Seven per centare accredited with TourismAccreditation Australia (TAA), which is

the highest level of support for any oneform of accreditation, followed by theAustralian Building Greenhouse Rating

(now NABERS Energy) at four per cent.

While no one Australian accreditation

dominates, certain types are favouredby different sectors of the businessevents industry. For example, half

of the Convention & Exhibition Centrerespondents hold the Green Globe

Bronze accreditation, and one quarterof attractions hold TAA accreditationand 10 per cent of transport operatorsare Australian Building Greenhouse

Rating accredited.

In 2008/09 it is anticipated that approximately 40% ofthe 2007/08 carbon emissions will be avoided simplyby moving all Conservation Volunteers Australia propertiesacross Australia to 100% green electricity suppliers.

Conservation Volunteers Australia



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Chart 4: Types of Accreditation Held by Key Respondents

Green Accreditation

01

02

03

04

05

06

07

11

08

09

10

12

13

14

15

16

01 At least one Accreditation 46%

02 Green Globe Bronze 5%

03 Green Globe Silver 4%

04 Tourism Accreditation Australia 6%

05 Ecotourism Australia Nature Tourism 3%

06 Ecotourism Australia Advanced Ecotourism 2%

07 Green STAR AAA Tourism 5%

Green Globe Gold 0%

Travel & Tourism

08 4 Star Green BuildingCouncil of Australia 1%

09 6 Star Green BuildingCouncil of Australia 1%

10 Australian Building Greenhouse Rating(now NABERS Energy) 3%

5 Star Green BuildingCouncil of Australia 0%

NABERS 0%

Building Related

11 Greenhouse friendly 3%

12 Carbon Reduction Institute 2%

13 Climate, Community and BiodiversityDesign Standards 1%

14 Respecting Our Culture 1%

15 ISO 14000 1%

16 Other ISO (eg 14001) 24%

Other

(Other accreditations reportedly held:HACCP: 20%, Qualmark Gold Sustainability: 4%)

Question 4:For each accreditation, could you select the statement which best describes your organisations position?

Base:Key Respondents.


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12

Growing Commitment to Accreditation

The Audit results show that levels ofgreen accreditation among respondents

in Australia are rising and are set toremain a focus over the next few years.Almost one third (31 per cent) of total

respondents report they are currentlyseeking accreditation, including threequarters of Convention & Exhibition

Centres, and just over half (55 per cent)of accommodation providers, venuesand business events services.

Green Globe Silver, Bronze or NABERSaccreditations are the most popular in

the industry, currently being sought by35-50 per cent of businesses. Thesebusinesses also have Green Globe Gold

accreditation in their sights over the nextve years. The Ecotourism Australia-Nature Tourism and Ecotourism

Australia-Advanced Ecotourism areprized by attractions, with one fth ofthis sector currently seeking them.

Those sectors which have been slowerto take up accreditation aim to do soover the next 12 months. Almost one

third (31 per cent) of transport operators

and one quarter of attractions plan toget accredited, along with one quarter

of industry representative bodies.

Barriers to Accreditation

One in ve respondents has notyet initiated green certication or

accreditation with the Audit resultsidentifying a number of barriersto seeking accreditation:

30 per cent say they dont haveenough time to seek accreditation

28 per cent say they dont havethe information they need to seekaccreditation

23 per cent say they lack guidancefrom industry bodies and/or

associations, and 19 per cent say the accreditation

process is too costly and requirestoo much effort to pursue.

Some organisations like business event

service providers do not believe theyhave a need to become accredited.These operators in the sector tend

not to have regulatory or planningobligations to become accredited,unlike infrastructure operators such

as venues and hotels.

Of those organisations not yetaccredited, half employ less than10 people. Sixty per cent of this groupreported that accreditation was of

minimal value to their business,suggesting that the perceived costs ofaccreditation outweigh the benets for

smaller businesses. This view is sharedby almost half of those with between10-99 employees, and by 30 per cent

of large organisations.

Selecting the Right Accreditation

The Audit results show that two outof every three industry participants are

not familiar with, or do not understandthe different types of accreditationavailable. This lack of familiarity with

accreditation programs naturallymakes it difcult for industryparticipants to decide which are the

most relevant for their business.

Even where there is signicant

familiarity with a program, it may notbe seen as relevant for that business.One third of respondents in the

accommodation sector stated thatthe Green Building Council ofAustralias accreditation only related to

new buildings. Similarly, one third ofrespondents were familiar withEcotourism Australias Nature

Tourism and Advanced Ecotourismaccreditations, and one quarter withthe Green Building Council of Australia

programs, but commented that theyfelt these accreditation programs werenot relevant to their organisation.

Sustainable event management systems identifyindustry and sector carbon and sustainabilitybenchmarks, set carbon and sustainability targetsand track trend results and targets for the industry.

Sustainable Event Solutions



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Green Accreditation

Almost one third(31 per cent) of totalrespondents reportthey are currentlyseeking accreditation.

Left: The new Melbourne Convention& Exhibition Centre will open in 2009 with

a 6 Star Green Star environmental rating.

A notice has been sent to all suppliers requestinginformation on their plans with regard to sustainability.Once received and reviewed, specic requests will bemade to ensure they t in with our organisations policy.

Marque Hotel, Canberra


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CSR Management

14

Allocation of responsibilityfor CSR issues reects theprole and importanceof CSR in an organisation.

The business eventsindustry was asked who hasresponsibility for strategicCSR decision making andfor day-to-day managementof CSR issues. Respondents

were also asked how theypromote CSR issues withintheir organisations andwhether they measuretheir environmental impact.

Strategic CSR Decision-MakingResponsibility for CSR withinorganisations appears to be widespread.For almost two thirds (62 per cent) of

total respondents, major responsibilityfor CSR decisions lies with seniormanagement, while half advised the

Board and Executive also have someresponsibility. Forty per cent alsopointed to general staff and one third

to middle management as being taskedwith making some CSR decisions.

In large organisations employing over

100 people and international chains,CSR responsibility rests across multiplelayers of management, with two thirds

of respondents from these segmentssaying that each layer has someresponsibility for CSR issues.

Written CSR Policies & Strategies

Two thirds of Audit respondents havewritten policies, strategies and plans

relating to environment, sustainabilityand CSR. For almost three quarters(71 per cent), company policy is a major

driver, followed by the need to meetregulatory obligations, which is namedby 57 per cent of Audit participants.

These pressures are felt more keenly bybigger organisations and internationalchains, where the vast majority

(75 per cent or more) report adoptingCSR policies in response to company

policy and regulatory obligations.Main drivers behind the adoptionof a written CSR policy are illustrated

in Chart 5 (at right).

Thirteen per cent of respondentssaid they were yet to adopt any CSR

policy or strategy. Of these, one thirdnominated a lack of time as a keyreason; while 31 per cent saw no

perceived value in, or urgency for,a CSR policy.

Weve launched a green team at our hotel chainand theres a team champion per department.They are responsible for helping save energy at the hotel.

Langham Hotel, Melbourne


Two thirds of Auditrespondents havewritten policies, plansand strategies relatingto environment,sustainability and CSR.


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Total

Less than 10 employees

10 to 49 employees

50 to 99 employees

100+ employees

International B rand/Chain

Chart 5: Main Drivers and Motivation for Written Policies, Strategies and Plans

CSR Management

Company policy

71%

58%

74%

79%

81%

84%

To meetregulatory obligations

57%

44%

41%

46%

78%71%

To align with industry trends

49%

37%

40%

38%

68%

57%

Enhance CSR credentialsand reputation

40%

31%

28%

35%

58%

57%

26%

34%

31%

19%

20%

21%

Client demand

38%

26%

31%

15%

57%

53%

Question 10:What was the main driver for consideration or implementation of this written policy, strategy or plan.Please select as many as applicable.Base: Organisations that have a written policy, strategy or plan.


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16

Day-to-Day Management of CSR Issues

When it comes to the day-to-daymanagement of CSR issues andimplementation of policy, 37 per centof respondents say that a specic team

or individual has been appointed tomanage matters. Focusing on keyrespondents, almost half (48 per cent)

assign specic teams/individualsto manage CSR issues, particularlyConvention & Exhibition Centres

(88 per cent) and venues (62 per cent).Notably, 65 per cent of largeorganisations employing over 100

people, and international chains havespecic personnel dedicated today-to-day management of CSR.

Changing Behaviour: Internal

Communication of CSR IssuesWhen it comes to communicatingCSR priorities across the organisationand changing organisational culture,

Audit participants report a widerange of channels of communication.

Almost two thirds (63 per cent)

promote a recycling culture

55 per cent include CSR issues within

new employee induction programs

55 per cent have clear CSR signagein the ofce

Around 40 per cent of respondentsinclude CSR issues in training programs

One third have a staff GreenCommittee and feature CSR matters

in employee newsletters, and

On average, 16 per cent haveCSR Award programs.

However, the Audit results show thatlarger organisations use more channels

of communication to spread theCSR message. On average, more thanthree quarters (76 per cent) of these

organisations raise awareness anddiscuss CSR issues through each ofthe channels mentioned above and

40 per cent have CSR Award programs.Similarly, the majority of internationalchains (over 70 per cent) report using

the full range of communication toolsto raise the internal prole of CSR issues,compared to a signicantly lower use

of initiatives by domestic respondents.

Measuring Environmental Impact

Most respondents (69 per cent) saidthey did not participate in accreditedgreenhouse gas offset programs, while15 per cent said they were unsure

whether they did or not. The remaining16 per cent named a wide range ofoffset programs they participated in,

including Carbon Planet, CarbonReduction Institute and Climate Friendly.

Nearly one third of total respondents (30

per cent) calculate their carbon footprint,although this gure is considerablyhigher among large companies (52 per

cent) and international chains (48 percent) compared to Australian companies(19 per cent). For those which do

calculate their carbon footprint, most(79 per cent) do so in consultationwith a third party, such as Todae,

Planet Footprint or Missing Link.

What is striking in the Audit results

is the dedication of internationaloperators, which form one third ofthe Audit respondents, to developing

CSR policies, taking steps to changebehaviours and to monitoring progress.

Sixty per cent of these green accredited

international companies say that theyfollow head ofce requirements relatingto ecologically responsible practices,

with the gure climbing to 75 per centfor those with more than 100 employees.Importantly, 90 per cent of these

international companies are preparedto be held accountable for theirperformance in mandated initiatives,

which are made publicly available.

We appointed a building services manager to overseethe three sites we operate. He has a budget and looks atways to reduce our energy use and manage all types ofmaterial incomings and outgoings. Each year he has savedthe company more than the initiative costs.

Wests Hospitality Group



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Green Products and Initiatives

17

National Corporate Social Responsibility Audit | For Australias business events sector

We have a carbon offset program and are part of Rainforest Rescue.Were mindful of, and work with, individual clients needs and havecreated a philosophy of synchronising the whole business eventwith the resorts focus of relaxation, wellness and the environment.

The Byron at Byron Resort & Spa

Client demand for greenproduct is a signicant driverof CSR policies and practicesin organisations. Thebusiness events industry wasasked to indicate whethersuch demand is increasing;from which domestic andinternational markets;and to what extent theyare responding by offering

low impact options.Respondents also indicatedthe range of in-house andexternal initiatives theyuse to reduce theirenvironmental impact andthe extent to which theybenchmark these efforts.

Increased Demand for Green ProductIn the last year almost two thirds

(61 per cent) of Audit respondentsnoticed an increase in client demandfor ecologically responsible products,

services and operations. More thanthree quarters (78 per cent) of largebusinesses and international chains

report increased demand fromtheir clients.

Some sectors of the industry have felt

this increased demand for ecologicallysustainable products and servicesmore strongly than others. It is noted

by 88 per cent of Convention &Exhibition Centres, 81 per cent ofvenues, 75 per cent of retail operators

and 69 per cent of accommodationproviders. Yet less than a third oftransport operators, attractions and

travel agents report the sameincreased demand.

Driving the Demand for Green Product

The Audit results identify the

international markets perceived to bedriving the demand for CSR product.Two thirds of respondents say the

European market is the most interestedin green products and services. Halfalso point to the United States of

America and the United Kingdom, butonly one quarter perceives increaseddemand for green offerings from Asia.

Among domestic markets, respondentsnominate New South Wales (70%) andVictoria (64%) as the most interested

in seeing ecologically responsibleproducts and practices offered by theBusiness Events industry.

In the last yearalmost two thirds(61 per cent) ofAudit respondentsnoticed an increasein client demandfor ecologicallyresponsible products,

services & operations.


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18

CSR Responses to Client Demand

While 61 per cent of the respondentsperceive increased demand for ecoproducts over the last year, only30 per cent actually offer clients a

choice between low environmentalimpact and regular event options.Larger organisations, international

chains and those respondents whoare green accredited are much moreresponsive to client demand, with

55 per cent of these segments offeringlow impact options.

By sector, 88 per cent of Convention

& Exhibition Centres offer low impactoptions to clients, ahead of venues(dened as unique venues or dedicated

function venues) at 53 per cent, businessevent management companies (thisincludes destination management

companies; professional conferenceorganisers; inbound tour operators;incentive house/agents and; theming

and special event companies) at 49 percent, and business events services(dened as suppliers to the business

events industry) at 47 per cent.

A wide range of eco offerings wereidentied by Audit respondents. Themost popular low impact choices are:

42 per cent offer specic day-to-day

practices (such as using soy-based ink)

40 per cent assist or donate to

overseas aid

33 per cent use carbon offsets,

reduce their carbon footprint andemissions, and

25 per cent participate in waste

management and recycling programs.

Programs to Reduce

Environmental ImpactsTo help reduce environmental impactsAudit respondents undertake in-houseprograms as well as participate in

external initiatives. Close to threequarters (76 per cent) of respondentsreport actively reducing their in-house

energy and water use. Around 60 percent say they have special programsfor increasing the eco-efciency of

materials used, and for enhancingthe wellbeing of local communities.Currently, the use of green power

and renewable energy is popularwith one third of respondents.

While 45 per cent of the total

respondents (55 per cent of keyrespondents) give special considerationto the employment of Australian

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanderpeople, this gure is much higher forlarger organisations (74 per cent) and

international chains (65 per cent).

The vast majority of Audit respondents

(84 per cent) give preference to locallysourced products and services and 71

per cent prefer to use locally sourcedfood products. More than 90 per centof key respondents, such as Convention& Exhibition Centres, accommodation

providers and venues, give preference tolocally sourced products and services.

Given these initiatives, there is potential

to inuence businesses right along thesupply chain, as currently 39 per cent ofthe industry advises suppliers of their

organisations commitment to CSR.

Over half (56 per cent) of Audit

respondents report participating inexternal initiatives to raise awarenessof CSR issues. Again, greater numbers

of large organisations (75 per cent)and international chains (66 per cent)participate in these programs. Specic

causes, such as Plant a Tree Day (29per cent) and supporting nominatedcharities (12 per cent) are the most

popular among a wide range of programs.

BenchmarkingWhile close to three quarters (72 percent) of respondents believe their

organisation is committed to continualimprovement through benchmarkingenvironmental impacts, only 40 percent actually track target energy

and water usage and waste levels.

However more large organisations and

international chains are committed tobenchmarking (86 per cent), and moreof these organisations actually do track

their performance in CSR programs(70 per cent). In comparison, only 22per cent of domestic operations monitor

their energy, water and waste levels.

Our clients have the option of purchasing greenpower for their event. Recycle bins are already in place,so they are not negotiable.

Perth Convention & Exhibition Centre



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Green Products and Initiatives

Close to three quarters(76 per cent) ofrespondents reportactively reducingtheir in-house energyand water use.

Left: The Byron at Byron Resort & Spa offerrainforest rescue initiatives as part of their

business event programs.

All the products we use are Australian made/grown where possible.Legal leftover food is donated to OzHarvest and our staff areencouraged and given time off to assist charity organisations.

Encore


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Conclusions


The information collectedin the National CorporateSocial Responsibility Audithas demonstrated that theBusiness Events industry inAustralia is on the way todeveloping an industry thatis socially responsible andecologically sustainable,and one that is committedto developing best practice

standards to achieve this.The Audit results show that levels ofgreen accreditation are rising among

the Business Events industry in Australiaand are set to remain a focus over thenext few years. However, also notable

is the statement by 31 per cent oforganisations that they lack sufcientguidance from the relevant national

bodies and/or associations aboutaccreditation issues. Audit resultsindicate that much of the industry is

not familiar with the different typesof accreditation, or believe that manyare simply not relevant.

With more than one quarter of

respondents reporting having difcultygathering the information requiredto complete the accreditation process,

it is possible that while organisationsare keen to become accredited theydo not have the resources to capture

the kind of information required byaccreditation programs. It is alsosignicant to note the disparity between

States and Territories in attainmentof green accreditation.

Lack of familiarity with the different

accreditations is making it difcult

for organisations to choose themost appropriate.

The Audit results show that largeorganisations and international chains

are better equipped and resourcedto undertake steps to develop andimplement CSR initiatives. However,

more information and assistance isrequired for smaller businesses whodont always have the resources

to pursue accreditation initiatives.

Given these initiatives, there is

potential to inuence businesses rightalong the supply chain, as at presentonly 39 per cent of the industry

advises suppliers of their organisationscommitment to CSR.

There is also a noticeable gap between

a commitment to continual improvementand actually benchmarking activities,which suggests that good intentions

are not always translating into practice.

Larger organisations and international

businesses are well ahead of the gamein this respect. Only 10 per cent ofthese organisations cannot identify

the source of this demand.

By comparison, 30 per cent of

domestic operations cannot identifythe source of demand.

It would appear that accreditation goes

hand in hand with action on CSR issues.

Senior management generally has

responsibility over CSR matters.

The Audit shows the Business Events

sector in Australia has pursuedaccreditation amongst bigger operators.

Smaller operators appear to require

more assistance indicating an area ofopportunity for educating the sector.

An interesting indicator, is that suppliersto the sector are also being asked forevidence of CSR policies.

The Audit has provided crucial evidenceto inform marketing, as well as a clearsnapshot of the CSR health of the sector

in Australia.


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For more information about the National CSR Audit, please contact:

Joyce DiMascio

Documents

Australia National CSR Audit Report FINAL