Zoos Victoria Environmental Sustainability Plan and Policy ( )

Transcription

1 Zoos Victoria Environmental Sustainability Plan and Policy ( ) Introduction Zoos Victoria is a not for profit zoo based conservation organisation. Zoos Victoria s Environmental Sustainability program ensures that we operate with the utmost respect for the environment by minimizing our environmental impacts and building positive gains for the environment. We strive to be leaders in environmental sustainability and seek to motivate individuals and organisations to join Zoos Victoria to create a sustainable future. Policy Zoos Victoria s vision is to be the world s leading zoo-based conservation organisation. This means we exist to protect and conserve wildlife and habitat both locally and internationally. To achieve our vision, we need to ensure that Zoos Victoria s operations are environmentally sustainable. Zoos Victoria operates within the scope set by its Environmental Sustainability Policy. To achieve world s best practice, we will continue to maintain an ISO Environmental Management System and will work to activate Zoos Victoria s Environmental Sustainability Investment Prospectus that will ensure that Zoos Victoria is the world s most resource efficient zoo by In March 2014 Zoos Victoria s Senior Executive Team endorsed a set of Guiding Principles for Environmentally Sustainable Development to ensure that as our three great zoos develop and grow, our carbon footprint does not increase. Our achievements will be reported annually in our annual report and will continue to be available through our web site. Environmental Management System Zoos Victoria s Environmental Management System (EMS) is the central management system for maintaining and improving on our environmental performance. It is certified to ISO14001;2004 from 2012 and is independently audited on a yearly basis. This EMS ensures that we continuously improve on our environmental performance. The structure of Zoos Victoria s EMS is: s and Targets Environmental Sustainability Policy and Strategy Roles & Responsibilities Commitment Resource consumption audits and analysis Review Policy and and Targets Review EMS Identify Opportunities Renewable Energy Analysis Review Results for EMPs Monitoring & ment Implementation Environmental risk audits (Aspects and Impacts) Monitor Progress on EMPs Prioritise Opportunities Environmental Management Programs (EMPs): Property environmental plans; ZV environmental investment prospectus; Project implementation plans; Green Procurement etc

2 Continue certification of ZV s EMS to the international standard ISO 14001;2004. Transition to ISO14001;2015 by External certification obtained. Environmental pollution avoided. Carbon Neutral On 22 March 2013 Zoos Victoria became the first certified Carbon Neutral zoo organisation in the world. This certification is obtained through the National Carbon Offset Standard, which is developed by the Australian government using internationally accepted carbon accounting and offsetting standards. Obtaining this certification means that Zoos Victoria has quantified its carbon emissions and taken the necessary steps to offset its residual carbon emissions. The standard also requires Zoos Victoria to take necessary steps to further reduce carbon emissions. Continue certification to NCOS. Develop programmes for reducing carbon emission. Investment of $600,000 on carbon reduction over 3 years with a review in Obtain ongoing yearly NCOS certification. Carbon Emissions reduced. Resource Efficiency & Renewable Energy The concept behind Resource Efficiency is to do more with fewer resources. By being resource efficient, goods and services can be produced with less energy and fewer raw materials, resulting in less waste, less pollution and less cost. Renewable energy is energy that is obtained from natural resources and is constantly replenished. Renewable energy is important for minimising our Greenhouse gas emissions. For Zoos Victoria, it will mean operating the Zoos with the least amount of energy, water and materials; consuming renewable energy where possible while maintaining a viable sustainable operation. Secure funding to activate ZV Environmental Sustainability Prospectus. Continue to develop renewable energy projects. Continue and improve on energy efficiency programmes. Continue and improve on water efficiency programmes. Continue and improve on office paper reduction programmes. World s most resource efficient zoo by Carbon Emissions reduced. Energy consumption reduced. Water consumption reduced by 20% by Paper consumption reduced by 35% by Best paper/fte in an organisation in Australia.

3 Waste Management and Reduction Waste Management at Zoos Victoria takes a holistic view of all waste produced at our three properties. Waste materials can originate from a variety of sources and include animal husbandry, commercial and industrial process, horticulture, staff and visitor activities. The reduction of waste minimises the area needed for landfill, reduces the environmental impact of overall materials demand, reduces treatment, increases materials recovery and reduces greenhouse gases. The Waste Management Hierarchy shown below will be used when considering waste management at Zoos Victoria. Avoid Preferred Reuse Recycle & Compost Energy conversion Dispose Least Preferred Continue and improve on waste and recycling initiatives. Zero waste to landfill by 2019 Recycling and composting rates increased. Carbon Emissions reduced. Environmental Sustainability Investment Prospectus Zoos Victoria s Environmental Sustainability Investment Prospectus list possible projects on renewable energy, energy efficiency, water efficiency and waste management. This investment prospectus provides project feasibility and guidance to expedite environmental projects in achieving Zoos Victoria s environmental goals. Secure funds to activate the Environmental Sustainability Investment Prospectus. Carbon Emissions reduced. Zero waste to landfill by 2019 Water consumption reduced by 20% by Environmentally Sustainable Design Zoos Victoria s Guiding Principles for integrating Environmentally Sustainable Development (ESD) or Ecologically Sustainable Development assists Zoos Victoria in balancing the economic, environmental and social needs throughout the decision making process for all developmental works. From July all new developments across Zoos Victoria s three great zoos must: Be carbon neutral from the date of project completion. Achieve zero waste to landfill for both construction and operational phases. (excludes prescribed industrial waste that requires specialised removal) Support or build upon natural habitats Minimise material life-cycle impacts Use water efficiently Comply with environmental legal requirements and other requirements set by Zoos Victoria Include Zoos Victoria s ESD Guidelines and Construction Contract stipulations when engaging external service suppliers. Implement the ESD guidelines across all developments. All Zoos Victoria development projects are endorsed by property directors as meeting the ESD considerations.

4 Green Procurement Zoos Victoria acknowledges that one of the most powerful ways we can demonstrate our commitment to environmental sustainability is by using our purchasing power. By purchasing products and services that are ethically and responsibly produced, we can also stimulate a market for these types of products and services. Green or environmentally preferred products are defined as products and services that are less damaging to human health and the environment than competing products and services that serve the same purpose. This comparison may consider the source of raw materials, production, manufacturing, packaging, distribution, potential for reuse and recycling, operation, maintenance, and disposal of the product. Green procurements will be used to facilitate other programmes such as Zero Waste to landfill and resource efficiency programmes. Continue green assessment criteria for suppliers and their goods and services. Green Procurement working group is charged to implement green procurement. Become a Fairtrade Workplace by 2017 Sustainable food bought by all operational areas. All suppliers have been assessed by the green procurement criteria. Critical goods with high impacts have been assessed and approved for use. Community engagement Communicating Zoos Victoria s environmental sustainability efforts and achievements gives credibility to Zoos Victoria s overall vision, enhances our reputation, provides value to visitors and improves operational efficiencies. Environmental issues such as Climate Change affects everyone and every living being. Hence communicating what can be done and the benefits of considering the environment as the normal business process is crucial in tackling environmental issues as a whole. Create awareness on Environmental Sustainability. Showcase solutions and positive outcomes when considering Environmental Sustainability. Industry tours on environmental sustainability. At least 2 case studies written and published p.a. At least 2 presentations at events/conferences p.a. Partnership with UoM is maintained demonstrating the value of skill-share initiatives across 2 projects p.a. At least one high profile award is secured by 2019.

5 Zoos Victoria Environmental Sustainability Policy Zoos Victoria s vision is to be the world s leading zoo-based conservation organisation. This means we exist to protect and conserve wildlife and habitat both locally and internationally. To achieve our vision, we first need to make sure that Zoos Victoria s operations are environmentally sustainable and operate as the world s most resource efficient zoo by This means we need to: - Prevent pollution; - Use our resources (such as energy, water and materials) more efficiently with consideration towards biodiversity and wildlife conservation; - Reduce our ecological footprint including our carbon footprint; and - Build positive gains for the environment. In support of this we are committed to leading by example, and strive to the leaders in environmental sustainability. Our commitment will be met by understanding our environmental aspects and impacts from our activities and minimising those impacts through the implementation of an ISO 14001;2004 certified Environmental Management System (EMS). Through this EMS we will measure our performance against agreed objectives, ensure that all requirements specified in law or government commitments are met and exceeded where possible, and that we continually strive to improve against our benchmarks. Zoos Victoria will promote environmental awareness, training and education for our staff, our visitors, our suppliers, partners and the wider community. Zoos Victoria will also ensure that all staff and our contractors are aware of the expectations placed on them towards Zoos Victoria s environmental sustainability commitments. Having now become the world s first zoo to achieve carbon neutral certification, our commitment to continual improvement is best captured by our environmental sustainability goals for the next five years. Zoos Victoria will: Carbon Neutral certification; Continue to reduce our carbon footprint through investments in renewable energy and resource efficiency; Putting in place Green Procurement policies and processes for purchasing with waste avoidance, increase efficiency and the reduction of lifecycle impacts; Operate as the world s most resource efficient zoo by 2019; Reduce Zoos Victoria s water consumption by a further 20% by 2019; Achieve zero waste to landfill by 2019; Continue to encourage our visitors and influence other organisations to make positive changes to reduce their ecological footprint; Improve Zoos Victoria s overall environmental performance through staff engagement and participation; and Developing and maintaining an environmental sustainability project list (Environmental Sustainability Investment Prospectus) to expedite projects to achieve our targets. Our achievements will be monitored and audited yearly, and published in our annual report. Jenny Gray Chief Executive Officer July 2015 Review Date: July 2017

6 Environmental Management System 1. ISO14001;2004 certification 2. Transition to ISO14001;2015 certification June Green Team training on the ISO 14001;2004 EMS 4. Green Team training on the ISO 14001;2015 EMS 2016/17 Carbon Neutral 1. Certification to National Carbon Offset Standard (NCOS) 2. Purchase carbon offsets with high biodiversity co-benefits 3. Investment of $600,000 on CO2e reduction over 3 years Develop and implement resource efficiency projects Develop and implement waste and recycling projects Develop and implement renewable energy projects Resource Efficiency 1. Develop and implement energy efficiency projects focusing on areas: Lighting HVAC systems Animal husbandry requirements Vehicle fuel 2. Develop and implement water efficiency projects focusing on areas: Horticulture Animal husbandry requirements Visitor requirements Rainwater and stormwater harvesting Waste-water treatment Water body maintenance Leak detection and fixing leaks 3. Develop and implement materials efficiency projects focusing on materials under our Scope 3 carbon emissions inventory: Office paper consumption Food for animals 4. Develop a benchmarking system with other organisations to gauge performance Waste Management and Reduction 1. Develop and implement a recycling program for operational waste in the areas: Organic waste from horticulture, animal husbandry and staff Construction and demolition waste Metals Chemicals Batteries Plastics all grades Paper Glass etc Target of Zero operational waste to landfill By 2019

7 2. Develop and implement a recycling program for visitor waste in the areas: Organic waste through a green bin collection Source separation and recycling or treatment of public general waste Target of Zero waste to landfill At Melbourne Zoo & Healesville Sanctuary By 2016 at WORZ By 2019 Environmental Sustainability Investment Prospectus 1. Secure funds to activate the Environmental Sustainability Investment Prospectus Develop as required the detailed analysis of the projects prior to implementation Environmentally Sustainable Design 1. Develop and use the ESD guidelines. guidelines and supporting documents Implement to property development Green Procurement 1. Form a Green Procurement Working Group 2. Assessment and selection of suppliers Develop environmental assessment questionnaires for all current and potential suppliers Develop a rating system for supplier assessment Selection of suppliers 3. Assessment and selection of products Develop a critical product list for assessment based on environmental and social impacts Develop a rating system for these products Selection of suppliers for these products 4. Register for a Fairtrade Workplace Purchase Fairtrade coffee, teas and hot chocolate Community engagement 1. Create awareness, showcase solutions and positive outcomes on Environmental Sustainability. Industry tours on environmental sustainability. Case studies written. Presentation at events and conferences. Partnership with learning institutions on student projects. Secure awards.

8 Summary initiatives Annual Plan for Target First Half Actual Policy - revised June 2015 ISO 14001;2004 recertification $28,825 NCOS certification $152,200 ESD guiding principles implementation Ongoing Activate Sustainability Prospectus $10,011,425 Year End Actual ZV initiatives 1. ISO 14001;2004 EMS continuous improvement process for all properties 2. Carbon Neutrality certification with emission reduction initiatives. 3. Secure funding to activate Environmental Sustainability Project Prospectus. 4. Engage community as leaders in Environmental Sustainability. Inclusion in Property Operation Plans 5. Resource efficiency across all properties. 6. Zero waste to landfill by ESD guiding principles implementation integration into normal development process. 8. Green procurement as normal business process. 9. Once funds are secured, projects from sustainability prospectus are activated on property.