sUSTAINABILITY
inspiring change in practical ways
sustainability seminars 2021
We all know how important sustainability is and that meaningful sustainability can change our future. We also know it’s no longer a choice for business – but a mandate. But not all small to medium size business have the resources and knowledge to respond.
The Parnell Business Association is embarking on a series of webinars to educate and inform its businesses on how to practically implement some sustainable actions, as small incremental changes can make a difference.
We’ll launch the series with a ‘green drinks networking event’ on Thursday April 8th April at Jasmax, (Covid Alert levels permitting) at which we’ll be introducing the topics for the online webinar series, plus it’s a chance to meet likeminded people all keen to learn more about this journey.
The series will then kick off on Zoom on the 1st Thursday of each month from 6th May 9-10am. Each seminar will be approximately 45 mins long, plus allow time for questions and will include helpful resources and tools for small and medium size businesses.
Invites will be sent prior to the time, but if you have not received an invite and would still like to attend, please email [email protected]
4th November 2021, 9am GREEN BUILDINGS. (Zoom)
Sustainability is a challenge, but what are we really talking about? Carbon is front of mind, but there is a biodiversity crises too! Green Buildings are healthier and more efficient, are they the answer? Jerome Partington, Sustainability Manager at Jasmax, a significant architecture and urban design practice, will share projects and insights from our sustainability journey of 15 years and offer some fresh thinking to help business play their role in creating a future that can sustain us.
7th October 2021, 9am ETHICAL INVESTING. (Zoom)
Some of the world’s largest investment managers have seen the evidence of lower risks and higher financial returns from companies that adopt high social and environmental standards and avoid pollution or exploitation. The shift to sustainable finance has important implications for businesses, investors and our future.
Barry Coates, founder and CEO of Mindful Money, will talk about bringing transparency and sustainability to KiwiSaver and investment funds. Joanna Kelly, interim CEO of the newly formed Toitū Tahua – Centre for Sustainable Finance, will talk about what we mean by ‘sustainable finance’ and the key aspects of our roadmap to achieving it.
2nd September 2021, 9am FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR SUSTAINABLE PROJECTS. (Zoom)
Ever wondered where you can start to apply for a grant to get a sustainable idea off the ground? Dr Grant Hewison and David Hay of the Waitemata Low Carbon Network will identify funding opportunities for sustainability and low carbon initiatives, with a focus on small-to-medium enterprises and the support available from Auckland Council and its subsidiaries, as well as give a brief overview of non-council and central government funding opportunities. We will also hear from Colin Thomas from Raizor Insurance and their sustainable projects.
5th August 2021, 9am CARBON 101: THE WHAT, WHY AND HOW OF CARBON FOOTPRINTING. (Zoom)
What is your carbon footprint and why as a business should you care?
We answer these key questions and more with Toitū Envirocare and Orbit/House of Travel Auckland. Join us as Josephine from Toitū Envirocare, walks us through
- What is a carbon footprint and where yours comes from
- Why climate action makes business sense
- Carbon credits and how you get them
- The future price of carbon and why every business should take heed
- Best ways to get started on your carbon reduction journey
We will also be joined by Brendan Drury from Toitū carbonzero certified Orbit/House of Travel Auckland who will give us insight into his decade-long journey of measuring and reducing carbon emissions.
1st July 2021, 9am THE RISE OF THE CONSCIOUS CONSUMER. (Zoom)
The influence of conscious consumers on purchasing patterns can affect your business, but you could also be missing out if you are not sharing your sustainability efforts with your customers. Ecostore have pioneered sustainable packaging and consumer products and will share their perspective, then one of our leading Parnell ad agencies will talk about green marketing.
3rd June 2021, 9am. REDUCING WASTE TO LANDFILL. (Zoom)
Currently, 30% of what New Zealanders send to landfill consists of food waste. Food waste, combined with other waste generated by business can be greatly reduced with a few easy initiatives. Green Gorilla and Hungry Bins will show you exactly how much your office can accomplish.
6th May 2021, 9am. ENERGY & POWER. (Zoom)
What are the potential cost savings and benefits to business to use this resource wisely? Ecotricity is New Zealand’s only provider of 100% Renewable and carboNZero Certified electricity and will illustrate some practical options for every size business. Then Auckland Museum will share their learnings on solar power and how that has affected the beautiful night lighting of that iconic building.
Onwards we aim to cover other topics such as:
- The Circular Economy
- Living Buildings
- Preparing for a low carbon economy
- Reducing energy and fuel use
- Low carbon infrastructure
6th May 2021, ENERGY & POWER.
Our first sustainability webinar focused on energy and power usage, given that this comprises approximately 40% of New Zealand’s carbon footprint. Introduced by Josephine Rudkin-Binks from Toitū Envirocare, we first heard Charlie McNaughton at Auckland Museum who took us through the museum’s journey since 2014 towards electricity efficiency with their use of solar power, one of the ways they make it possible to light up their building at night. Then Mark Yates from Ecotricity, highlighted some practical ways in which to to reduce our energy use in businesses. Overall, our attendees listened and understood that starting to regulate our energy usage is a viable way to begin their own journey to becoming more sustainable. Make sure to sign up for our next seminar where we will discuss various options around waste management.
6th May 2021, ENERGY & POWER.
3rd June 2021, REDUCING WASTE.
1st July 2021, THE CONSCIOUS CONSUMER.
5th August 2021, CARBON CREDITATION 101
2nd September 2021, FUNDING FOR SUSTAINABLE PROJECTS
7th October, ETHICAL INVESTING
Want to read about some of Parnell’s Green Heroes?
As we are all being called upon to take the sustainability challenge seriously, we thought we would like to celebrate some of our business members, large and small, who have been on this journey for a while. We hope that this will inspire more businesses to participate, as even in small ways, we can all take practical steps toward a low carbon future.
Follow the list of Parnell companies taking the lead in this space.
Six Week Composting Trial
The Parnell Business Association in conjunction with Auckland Council supported a free six week composting trial for businesses in Parnell. There were several lockdown interruptions as we know last year and the final segment only took place in November. Nine businesses took part and over that short period 1,5 tonnes of waste was diverted from landfill.
We aim to continue incentivizing businesses to be part of this initiative. All interested parties to please contact [email protected]
Community Garden or Urban Farm?
From time to time there have been suggestions for a Community Garden or Urban Farm in Parnell. This is an interesting idea and raises all sorts of questions and other good thoughts about whose involved? where could it go? How large or small should it be, how many people want to eat this food? and what are the other linked opportunities that could help strengthen our community and ensure urban work and living in the 21st century is a positive experience?
The Parnell Business Association are facilitating this conversation on behalf of interested parties. If you would like to join this conversation, to really understand the issues around this opportunity and the explore the potential for our community to live and work well, please contact [email protected]
3rd June 2021, REDUCING WASTE.
Our webinar in June highlighted discussions on how to we can work to improve our waste disposal. We first heard from Joe Youssef the Founder of All Heart NZ, explaining how his company initially was started. All Heart NZ partners with corporates to practically redirect & repurpose redundant and unwanted items such as computers, desks, chairs and other unwanted goods. Joe told us the impact his companies waste procedures have on the New Zealand environment. We then heard from Ben at Hungry Bin. Designed and made in New Zealand, the Hungry Bin worm farm is a fast and convenient way to compost your food scraps. The innovative design is highly efficient and can process up to 2.0 kilos of waste per day! The webinar provided invaluable information on how we can all make an impact with improving our waste management and the resources to implement this.
1st July 2021, THE CONSCIOUS CONSUMER
This month our sustainability webinar focused on the ‘Conscious Consumer’ as we heard from two companies who truly embody sustainable practices. Ecostore began their fledgling sustainable journey way back in 1993 at a small eco-village in Northland. They chatted about the rise of the conscious consumer, their continued growth in today’s world and how their brand has moved from a small consumer base to a ‘brand for the many’.
Then Villa Maria (New Zealand’s most awarded winery), took us through their recent journey, to develop and launch their delicious organic Earth Garden range. A story that unfolded through worm farms, ‘blooms for bees’ and growing meaningful consumer narratives in their authentic approach. Make sure you sign up for our next webinar where we focus on Carbon Certification & Reduction.
- What is a carbon footprint and where yours comes from
- Why climate action makes business sense
- Carbon credits
- Best ways to get started on your carbon reduction journey
2nd September 2021, FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR SUSTAINABLE PROJECTS
In September’s webinar Dr Grant Hewison and David Hay of the Waitemata Low Carbon Network identified funding opportunities for sustainability and low carbon initiatives, with a focus on small-to-medium enterprises and the support available from Auckland Council and its subsidiaries. They also gave a brief overview of non-council and central government funding opportunities. We also heard from Colin Thomas from Raizor Insurance and their sustainable projects.
7th October 2021, ETHICAL INVESTING
Some of the world’s largest investment managers have seen the evidence of lower risks and higher financial returns from companies that adopt high social and environmental standards and avoid pollution or exploitation. The shift to sustainable finance has important implications for businesses, investors and our future.
Barry Coates, founder and CEO of Mindful Money, talked about bringing transparency and sustainability to KiwiSaver and investment funds. Joanna Kelly, interim CEO of the newly formed Toitū Tahua – Centre for Sustainable Finance, talked about what we mean by ‘sustainable finance’ and the key aspects of our roadmap to achieving it.
