Sustainability and the Port of Brisbane 13 February 2008
What is “Sustainability” Economic progress whilst protecting the environment and being socially responsible (it’s a balance) Minimising environmental impacts is only one aspect of sustainability Many resource efficiency projects save money, thus help to offset costs of broader sustainability initiatives But…how do we gauge how sustainable we are?
Is offsetting greenhouse-intensive behaviours OK?
… or should we reduce emissions … Arnie’s hydrogen powered Hummer
… or avoid the emissions altogether
Changing perception of sustainability Shifting from a subjective reflection of people’s values and “green-ness” Climate change will modify how business is done. Carbon metrics and financial metrics will be linked: carbon (phrased as equivalent tonnes of carbon, or T C0 2-e ) will be the common currency Businesses will be expected to account for, and reduce, their impacts on the environment. Leaders will leverage their market position to make a material change through their supply chain
Part of our business for the past 5-6 years We have voluntarily reported our emissions via the Commonwealth’s Greenhouse Challenge Programme since 2003 Evolving from an environmental focus to both resource conservation and emission reduction Link sustainability outcomes with financial ones (eg, vehicle policy includes lifecycle cost not solely purchase price) Broader strategic context to be supported through employment of Sustainable Business Manager Strong push towards a port community approach leverage greater gains What is the Corporation doing?
Why? To make a positive, measurable difference to our natural environment, our people, our community and our finances. To maintain community’s and legislator’s trust in us doing the right thing: our license to operate. To understand and mange our own climate change risks.
Priorities Site Development Water Conservation Stormwater Energy Waste Materials Healthy Buildings Transport Operation and Management Greenhouse emission reductions are a common metric across many of the above areas
Indicative greenhouse gas emissions ACTIVITYTONNE C0 2 -e/pa Corporate emissions from our assets* Electricity2,600 Petroleum Products (petrol, diesel)17, employees Vehicles (estimate)3,000 Homes (estimate)3,000 Other emissions Land reclamation contractors?? Cargo handling (stevedores)??? Rail, truck, ship transit in our precinct???? * equivalent to the emissions (home + vehicles) of around 1000 families.
What is the Corporation doing? Pursuing ways to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions, or “carbon footprint” by: Introducing an environmental standard for new port vehicles New light control technology being trialled on lamp towers Investigating renewable power options Offset our vehicles’ emissions through the purchase of BP Ultimate petrol Planning an inventory of air emissions at the port from which further strategies can be prioritised
New flagship office building at the Port of Brisbane 5 star design rating from the Green Building Council Port Central 2 to build on Port Central 1 initiatives and be PBC new Corporate Office Port Central 1
Port Approach to Development Development guidelines take into account sustainability and aesthetic issues Fact sheets to assist tenants and their consultants Opportunity to influence design
PBC has an internal and tenant (yet to meet) Sustainability Committee Internal advisory group has representatives of most Corporation Divisions CEO addresses staff quarterly Internal newsletters, Environment Day Staff Engagement