Corporate Social Responsibility
Sustainability matters, and most businesses want to do the right thing when it comes to environmental and social governance. Customers increasingly expect businesses to be doing the right thing, across the environment, community the workplace and the business. The best thing is that taking steps to be more sustainable can be positive for business too.
Our Corporate Social Responsibility Hub has handy tips, useful links, consumer trends and resources to help guide your thinking.
Doing the right thing
There’s no single blueprint for corporate social responsibility – it depends on your business. However, things to think about can include:
- measuring, reporting and reducing your carbon footprint, energy and water, packaging and waste, including in your supply chain;
- managing your green waste and compostables;
- being a good employer - looking after your people and complying with the law;
- being an inclusive employer, thinking about people with disabilities and establishing a Disability Action and Inclusion Plan;
- taking steps to ensure that your suppliers are responsible, sustainable and ethical;
- engaging with and supporting your communities (physical, work and customer);
- making sure that you are profitable and sustainable.
Why should businesses embrace sustainability?
ACRS (Australian Consumer and Retail Studies) conducted research into the attitudes and behaviours of Australian shoppers towards sustainability. Browse shopping practices and consumer trends in the report, Retail Sustainability Spotlight.
46%
reported that sustainability is an important factor when making a retail purchase.
96%
of Australian shoppers engaged in at least one type of sustainable practice in the past three months.
30%
of Australian consumers frequently look for sustainable products when shopping, while 12% never do.
9.7%
is the sustainability premium customers are willing to pay, even with cost of living and inflation concerns.
Programs and Rebates
Sustainable Business Program ACT
ACT’s technical experts Climate Choices, provide free advice on ways to improve energy efficiency in your business. This includes transitioning off gas, upgrading to energy efficient equipment, installing solar panels and battery storage.
Business Electric Vehicle Charger Rebates
Eligible businesses may receive rebates of up to 50% of the cost (capped at $3,000 excluding GST) for the purchase and installation of EV charging infrastructure at their business premises.
Tax Deductions for Small Businesses
The ATO provides tax deductions for the cost of eligible assets and improvements that support more efficient use of energy for small businesses up to $20,000.
Advancing Renewables Program
The Advancing Renewables Program provides businesses with funding or finance to develop renewable energy technologies.
The Australian Carbon Credit Unit
The Australian Carbon Credit Unit (ACCU) Scheme encourages people and businesses to run projects that reduce emissions or store carbon.
Energy Innovation Fund
The ACT Government offers grants to provide flexible, early-stage funding for energy innovation projects, initiatives and research.
Handy hints and tips
Take a look at handy hints, tips and updates from our Corporate Social Responsibility Group members.
Find out more about our Corporate Social Responsibility Group, and meet the members.
Useful links and websites
Climate Choices ACT
Access free, reliable and up-to-date information so you can live and work more comfortably in Canberra. Everyday Climate Choices is an initiative of the ACT Government.
Green Building Council Australia
The Green Building Council of Australia, work closely with members and industry partners to deliver the resources needed to support sustainable building goals. They publish various work to guide the industry toward more sustainable outcomes. Their publications include thought leadership papers, business cases, reports, guides and external research for industry.
Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water
The DCCEEW look after Australia’s natural environment and heritage sites. They help Australia respond to climate change and carefully manage water and energy resources. The new department has been established to deliver on the Government’s climate change and energy agenda and protect Australia’s environment and water resources.
The Business Council of Sustainable Development
BCSD Australia is a CEO-led organisation of more than 70 Australian businesses and non-governmental bodies working together to accelerate the transition to a sustainable world by aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and acting on climate change.
Business.gov.au
Learn about environmental management, your legal obligations and the support available to help your reduce your business’s environmental impact.
How can we support your sustainability journey?
Please get in touch, if you have any questions about how we can help guide your business.
Are you passionate about sustainability? Learn more about our Corporate Social Responsibility Group, to join the discussion and connect with like-minded business leaders.