Published Thursday, 03 July, 2008 at 12:45 PM
Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation
The Honourable Andrew McNamara
Innovative businesses run head to head for Minister’s ClimateSmart award
Three Queensland businesses are in the running for one of Queensland’s top environmental awards thanks to their leadership in tackling climate change.
Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation, Andrew McNamara, today announced that NRMA Insurance, News Limited and Food Connect were all finalists in the 2008 Environmental Protection Agency Sustainable Industries Awards.
“Top Queensland businesses are leading the way and investing in ClimateSmart technology,” Mr McNamara said.
The three businesses are all finalists in the Minister’s Award for ClimateSmart leadership, sponsored by Bendigo Bank, which is awarded for leadership and innovation in greenhouse gas emissions abatement and/or climate change adaptation as part of the business strategy.
“NRMA Insurance have committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2012,”Mr McNamara said.
“The company has offset more than 30,000 tonnes of carbon emissions through their high profile ‘Carbonators’ campaign,” he said.
Mr McNamara said at News Limited, publisher of Queensland’s largest circulating newspapers, major changes were underway.
“Energy efficiency has been achieved by improvements across the entire business from air conditioning and lighting to IT and transport.
“The company has effectively reduced their carbon footprint.”
Further improvements have also been made with major energy savings at News Limited’s Brisbane based print centres.
“New chillers and the installation of building management software at the printers have massively reduced energy consumption.
“Over the next four years, the company vehicles will also be replaced with lower emission vehicles.”
Mr McNamara said that Food Connect aimed to engage communities to support sustainable agriculture.
“Often food has been transported thousands of miles before it ends up on our plate.
“Food Connect sources mostly organically-grown produce direct from about 100 south-east Queensland and northern New South Wales growers.
“The produce is then packed into recycled cardboard boxes at a central ‘Homestead’ and then distributed to predefined local ‘City Cousins’ pick-up points for collection by customers,” Mr McNamara said.
“This saves the energy consumption that occurs when food is transported for long distances before arriving at its destination.
The EPA Sustainable Industries Awards aim to increase awareness of the advantages of sustainable practices such as reducing energy and water use, reducing waste and minimising greenhouse gas emissions.
Mr McNamara said the finalists for the awards had been selected from more than 100 entries ranging from small business to large multi-million dollar companies.
“Queensland has visionary companies that are committed to developing innovative products and practices that reduce consumption of fossil fuels, water, waste and greenhouse gas emissions,” Mr McNamara said.
Award winners will be announced at a gala dinner at the Gold Coast Exhibition and Convention Centre on Friday, 31 October 2008.
For more information visit www.epa.qld.gov.au or contact the EPA Sustainable Industries Division on 3225 1999.
Media contact: Peter McCarthy 3336 8004
Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation, Andrew McNamara, today announced that NRMA Insurance, News Limited and Food Connect were all finalists in the 2008 Environmental Protection Agency Sustainable Industries Awards.
“Top Queensland businesses are leading the way and investing in ClimateSmart technology,” Mr McNamara said.
The three businesses are all finalists in the Minister’s Award for ClimateSmart leadership, sponsored by Bendigo Bank, which is awarded for leadership and innovation in greenhouse gas emissions abatement and/or climate change adaptation as part of the business strategy.
“NRMA Insurance have committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2012,”Mr McNamara said.
“The company has offset more than 30,000 tonnes of carbon emissions through their high profile ‘Carbonators’ campaign,” he said.
Mr McNamara said at News Limited, publisher of Queensland’s largest circulating newspapers, major changes were underway.
“Energy efficiency has been achieved by improvements across the entire business from air conditioning and lighting to IT and transport.
“The company has effectively reduced their carbon footprint.”
Further improvements have also been made with major energy savings at News Limited’s Brisbane based print centres.
“New chillers and the installation of building management software at the printers have massively reduced energy consumption.
“Over the next four years, the company vehicles will also be replaced with lower emission vehicles.”
Mr McNamara said that Food Connect aimed to engage communities to support sustainable agriculture.
“Often food has been transported thousands of miles before it ends up on our plate.
“Food Connect sources mostly organically-grown produce direct from about 100 south-east Queensland and northern New South Wales growers.
“The produce is then packed into recycled cardboard boxes at a central ‘Homestead’ and then distributed to predefined local ‘City Cousins’ pick-up points for collection by customers,” Mr McNamara said.
“This saves the energy consumption that occurs when food is transported for long distances before arriving at its destination.
The EPA Sustainable Industries Awards aim to increase awareness of the advantages of sustainable practices such as reducing energy and water use, reducing waste and minimising greenhouse gas emissions.
Mr McNamara said the finalists for the awards had been selected from more than 100 entries ranging from small business to large multi-million dollar companies.
“Queensland has visionary companies that are committed to developing innovative products and practices that reduce consumption of fossil fuels, water, waste and greenhouse gas emissions,” Mr McNamara said.
Award winners will be announced at a gala dinner at the Gold Coast Exhibition and Convention Centre on Friday, 31 October 2008.
For more information visit www.epa.qld.gov.au or contact the EPA Sustainable Industries Division on 3225 1999.
Media contact: Peter McCarthy 3336 8004