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Table: Example Sustainability Assessment - Company X

This is a condensed sample of the sustainability assessment developed for each business participating in the Environmentally Sustainable Tourism Project.

Developed by URS New Zealand

No. Key Performance Area Aspect Charter Clause Opportunity for Improvement Sustainability Performance Indicators Basis for Monitoring/ Measurement Source(s) of Further Information
1.2 Community Support Support to local schools (pre-schools, primary schools and colleges) is provided by Company X on an as-required, sponsorship basis. The potential to establish a more formal partnership with a local school was highlighted through the High Level Sustainability Assessment. 1: Community "...by engaging & communicating with the community"

Establish a partnership with a local school, to support sustainability projects that increase community well-being (e.g. partnering in terms of assisting with governance, providing education enhancement, mentoring, vocational opportunities or sponsorship).

Medium term (6-12 month) implementation recommended

 Investment in community projects
  • Partnership agreement.
  • Time, in-kind, financial contributions to partner school(s).
 NZBCSD Successful Business and School Partnerships
1.4 Community Support While some goods and services are currently sourced locally, and a number of local sub-contractors are supported, further scope may exist to purchase from micro, small and medium sized enterprises operating within the home town, as well as the greater Northland region. 1: Community "...by encouraging and supporting the community to participate in tourism"

Buy locally produced goods and services, where practicable and appropriate, from medium, small and micro-enterprises, and continue to build on support for local subcontractors.

Immediate implementation recommended, with minimal or no direct financial cost involved

 Expenditure on locally sourced goods and services
  • Documented purchasing practices.
  • Supplier order forms, invoices.
 The Activate Northland Project:
Paihia Business Association
Local Business Directory
2.1 Leadership and Support Involvement in the Northland Sustainable Tourism Charter Project affords a potential opportunity to demonstrate leadership and support to other local small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in terms of sustainability, through sharing the key outcomes of the project. 2: Environment
"...by (leading) guiding, supporting & mentoring local SMEs"

Share outcomes from the sustainable tourism pilot program, including key successes and ideas for enhancement of sustainability performance, with local SME's.

Immediate implementation recommended, with minimal or no direct financial cost involved;

 Provision of leadership and support to local SME's
  • Information in community publications.
  • Minutes of meetings from local operator forums.
 The Activate Northland Project:
Paihia Business Association
Local Business Directory
2.6 Staff Engagement Once the Sustainability Action Plan is finalised on the basis of this Sustainability Assessment, scope will exist to involve staff in specific sustainability initiatives. This will provide a basis for ensuring staff commitment and buy-in, while also promoting individual initiative. 2: Environment
"...by promoting sustainable business practice"

Involve staff in specific sustainability initiatives (such as trials of new cleaning products or techniques, waste management, energy and water efficiency checks).

Immediate implementation recommended, with minimal or no direct financial cost involved

 Engagement in business sustainability initiatives
  • Records of briefings.
  • Results of trials.
Training Needs to Support Environmental Sustainability Practice in Business, 2003.
2.9 Supply Chain Management The potential to develop and implement a Supplier Code of Conduct was highlighted through the High Level Sustainability Assessment. A Code of Conduct is a document that presents a number of social and environmental standards and principles Company X and its suppliers or contractors would be expected to observe. This could start with a handful of suppliers, and a number of easily defined principles. 2: Environment
"...by promoting sustainable business practice"

Develop and implement a Code of Conduct / Standards for Engagement of Suppliers, which incorporates sustainability considerations (e.g. for new suppliers and contracts - establish criteria that are prerequisite for any contract, and for existing suppliers - include in annual review process).

Medium term (6-12 month) implementation recommended, potentially subject to cost benefit analysis

 Integration of environment into purchasing and supply Code of Conduct / Standards for Engagement of Suppliers.

NZBCSD 2003, Business Guide to a Sustainable Supply Chain, Chapter 3:

www.nzbcsd.org.nz
2.10 Supply Chain Management The potential to require that suppliers certify their sustainability performance was highlighted through the High Level Sustainability Assessment. This could include, for example, requiring compliance with recognised schemes which demonstrate environmental and/or social performance (e.g. Health & Safety: ACC partnership scheme or NZS 4801, Environmental: ISO 14001, Enviro-Mark). 2: Environment
"...by promoting sustainable business practice"

Develop acceptance criteria for the supply of goods and services, and work with suppliers to ensure that these criteria are met (e.g. criteria such as energy efficiency, good employer practices, eco-efficiency, hazardous substances, health & safety, local supply base, accountability, governance).

Medium term (6-12 month) implementation recommended, potentially subject to cost benefit analysis

 Integration of environment into purchasing and supply
  • Code of Conduct and Supplier Contracts.
  • Records of correspondence.
  • Supplier and product evaluations.

NZBCSD 2003, Business Guide to a Sustainable Supply Chain, Chapter 3:

www.nzbcsd.org.nz
2.17 Supply Chain Management Major boat maintenance and repair work is undertaken by contractors to Company X. This can include activities which involve the handling and use of potentially harmful materials and wastes (e.g. application, maintenance, removal and disposal of antifouling paints, surface cleaning chemicals, hydrocarbons). 2: Environment
"...by promoting sustainable business practice"

Ensure that written contracts for boat maintenance and repair are in place, and that such contracts include due consideration of best practice requirements for health, safety and the environment (e.g. product selection, through to disposal of abrasive blasting waste).

Immediate implementation recommended, with minimal or no direct financial cost involved

 Integration of environment into purchasing and supply
  • Contracts.
  • Records of correspondence.
  • Supplier and product evaluations.

Return to Northland/Tai Tokerau Sustainable Tourism Charter webpage.

Last updated: 17 August 2007