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]
1st July 2021, 9am THE RISE OF THE CONSCIOUS CONSUMER.
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.
From July 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.
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]
