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Sustainability Advantage Recognition Scheme – Gold Partner application packThis information pack introduces the Recognition Scheme, and outlines the process for applying for higher level of recognition, including the information to be supplied and the forms you need to apply for Gold Partner status.

Sustainability Advantage Recognition Scheme

The Sustainability Advantage Program is a business support service provided by the Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH). The Program helps organisations to improve their environmental performance, reduce costs and add value to their business.

We believe that organisations committed to sustainability and achieving real improvements deserve to be recognised.

The Sustainability Advantage Recognition Scheme provides public acknowledgement of your achievements through the Program.

ContentsGuide for applicants 2

Application 6

Member details form 7

Application – Gold Partner 9

Sustainability Advantage Recognition SchemeGuide for applicants

Summary of recognition categories and criteriaTo be recognised as a Sustainability Advantage Partner, your organisation must demonstrate its progress towards sustainable practice through:

active participation

leadership and commitment

planning and management systems

engagement and achievement.

Criteria for each recognition level are outlined in the application forms below. Please note that OEH reserves the right to amend assessment criteria at any time. Download application forms from the Sustainability Advantage pages on the OEH website: environment.nsw.gov.au/sustainbus

Your organisation needs to describe how it meets the criteria for each recognition level you are applying for, and provide documentary evidence.

Sustainability Advantage Recognition Scheme Gold Partner application pack 2

http://environment.nsw.gov.au/sustainbus

Which recognition category should I apply for?By joining Sustainability Advantage, nominating a sustainability champion and obtaining senior management commitment, your organisation will immediately become a Sustainability Advantage Member and receive a membership certificate. After actively participating in Sustainability Advantage for at least one year and demonstrating achievements against each of the sustainability criteria listed below, participants can then progress through each of the recognition levels, starting with Bronze.

Recognition levels


How do I apply?1. Read the criteria for the different recognition levels and assess the types of evidence required to

address the criteria and the conditions of application.

2. Complete your application using the Member details and Partner application forms. Make sure you include evidence that shows how you met the criteria. You may need to provide one or more examples for each criterion. Please note that incomplete applications will not be assessed.

If you are applying to be a Sustainability Advantage Gold or Platinum Partner, you will need to arrange and pay for your application to be verified by an independent assessor. Assessors will be selected from a panel accredited by OEH. You may also need to present to a recognition committee organised by OEH. You should:

contact the Business Partnerships team for names of assessors (see contact details below)

send your application to the assessor, asking them to consider it

3. Send your completed application with supporting documentation (and verification if needed) to:

Office of Environment and HeritageBusiness PartnershipsPO Box 644Parramatta NSW 2150Phone: (02) 8837 6000Fax: (02) 8837 6099Email: [email protected]

When will I know if I am successful?Once we have received your application, we will:

send you an acknowledgement that we have received it

convene a recognition committee to assess your application. For Gold and Platinum levels, the recognition committee will comprise two OEH staff members and a business sustainability expert

notify you of the assessment outcome within six weeks.

If you are successful, you may promote your Sustainability Advantage Partner status and we will send you the Promotion guidelines. If you are not successful your project officer will notify you of what additional information is required to be successful.

Successful Partners will be invited to:

1. attend the next Partner recognition event (additional information may be requested at this time)

2. participate in case studies and other promotional events for new members

3. use their Partner status to raise awareness of their organisation’s sustainability achievements.

When can I apply?You can apply at any time, provided you have been actively participating in the Sustainability Advantage Program for the specified period.

Only current projects, or those completed in the past 12 months, can be used to justify your application.

How long will my recognition status last?Gold and Platinum Partners need to reapply three years after receiving recognition at that level. This will allow Partners to demonstrate they are maintaining their commitment to the sustainability of their organisation and their industry. Gold and Platinum Partners who choose not to reapply at their current level after three years will revert to Silver status.

Bronze and Silver Partners do not have to re-apply to maintain their status.


mailto:[email protected]

Can I apply for achievements in my division/region?Yes. Your business unit, division or site can apply on behalf of your organisation. OEH allows only one application per organisation. Your application is for whichever entity is participating in Sustainability Advantage.

Can I use this application to assist with a Green Globe Award application?To help you apply for the NSW Green Globe Awards, we have identified the common areas between the Green Globe Awards and the Sustainability Advantage Recognition Scheme in the Gold and Platinum criteria, as shown below.

Green Globe Award criteria Noted in application form as

1. Leadership (GG1)

2. Market transformation (GG2)

3. Outcomes and Benefits (GG3)

4. Engagement (GG4)

Refer to the Green Globe Awards Nomination guide for more information: www.environment.nsw.gov.au/greenglobes/nominate.htm


http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/greenglobes/nominate.htm

Sustainability Advantage Recognition SchemeApplication – Gold PartnerThe application comprises two forms:

Member details form with all necessary signatures (for Sustainability Advantage Gold or Platinum Partner applications, ensure the independent verifier has completed and signed the certification of your application and provided a verification report)

Application form addressing each of the criteria and including examples of the type of supporting evidence needed.

Before sending your application, please make sure you have filled out all the required details. Incomplete applications will not be assessed and will be returned.

List of attachmentsPlease list the additional documents you have attached as evidence to this application.

Document name Related criteria

Member details form – Gold PartnerOrganisation and contact nameOrganisation name

Name to appear on certificate

(if different from above)


ABN

Contact for applicationTitle (Mr/ Mrs/ Ms/ Miss/ Dr/ other)

First name Last name

Position title

Email

Phone

Sustainability Advantage Champion name

Organisation locationBuilding level Street number

Street name

Street type

Suburb/town Postcode

Phone number Fax number

Organisation profile1. Describe your organisation (no more than 100 words)

2. Number of employees in NSW

3. Turnover in last financial year (to nearest $10,000)

Application DeclarationI confirm that

1. This Organisation is actively participating in the Sustainability Advantage Program.

2. I have read the Guide for applicants and I agree to the following terms detailed below.

a. I accept this application will become the property of OEH, which will treat all information as strictly confidential.

b. Subject to obtaining my permission, the information provided in this application might be used by OEH to develop best practice case studies to promote the Sustainability Advantage Program.

c. Photographs provided have appropriate licensing and, subject to obtaining my permission, may be used to promote the Sustainability Advantage Program.

d. OEH and/or the assessment panel reserves the right to ask further questions to clarify the content of my application and request documentary evidence in support of this application.

3. The information in the application is true and correct.

4. An independent verifier has assessed and supports this application (Gold and Platinum Partner applications only).

Applicant’s signature Date (dd/mm/yy) / /


Send your completed application to:Office of Environment and HeritageBusiness Partnerships teamPO Box 644Parramatta NSW 2150Phone: (02) 8837 6000Fax: (02) 8837 6099Email: [email protected] Website: environment.nsw.gov.au/sustainbus

Sustainability Advantage Recognition SchemeApplication – Gold Partner

Organisation:

On this form, address and provide support for each criterion G1–G9.


http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/sustainbus/sustainabilityadvantage.htm


For each assessment criteria, please provide specific examples of how your organisation, projects or staff are meeting the criteria. For examples of evidence please see the ‘Partner and application guide.’

Criteria*

EvidencePlease describe and provide specific examples of

how your organisation is meeting each of the criteria.

Active participationIn this section, demonstrate how you actively participated in Sustainability Advantage since joining.

G1

You have been an active Sustainability Advantage Silver Partner for at least one year.

G2

Achieved continual improvement and progressed on sustainability project implementation since becoming a Silver Partner.

Leadership and commitmentIn this section, demonstrate how your senior management is committed to improving the sustainability of your organisation.

G3

Senior management regularly reviews and updates strategic level sustainability goals, objectives and targets.

Senior management demonstrates ongoing sustainability leadership and commitment. (GG1)

Planning and management systemsIn this section, demonstrate how your organisation plans for sustainability and measures, monitors and reports on outcomes.

G4

Senior management has integrated sustainability into your organisation’s core business values, business strategic plans, management systems, operations and staff performance. (GG1)

Long-term targets for improvement are set and communicated externally, together with your year-on-year achievements against those targets (demonstrated either though using the OEH Resource Tracker** or equivalent).


G5

Greenhouse gas inventory that includes material scope 3 emissions as well as scope 1 and 2.

You have reviewed the inventory at least annually and demonstrated a reduction of GHG emissions (data needed).

Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions inventory has been audited by a third party.

You have reported at least scope 1 and 2 emissions externally. (GG3)

G6

Where applicable, you understand and manage your impacts on biodiversity. (GG3)

EngagementIn this section, demonstrate the measurable results of how partnerships were developed and internal and external stakeholders engaged to achieve sustainability outcomes.

G7

High level of internal engagement – with results of regular communication and consultation reflected in corporate strategies, leadership, staff satisfaction and sustainability innovation. (GG4)

G8

Your organisation is active in promoting sustainability and sustainability innovation to the supply chain, community and industry sector. This includes working with suppliers to develop sustainable solutions. (GG2, GG4)

AchievementIn this section, demonstrate the quantitative and tangible results and benefits of your sustainability projects. In your description, provide performance improvement

G9

Measurable, material and documented reduction in resource use and other sustainability improvements. The achievements must show continuous improvement based on established benchmarks and targets. (GG3)


data.

*OEH reserves the right to amend assessment criteria at any time.

**For a copy of the Resource Tracker please email [email protected] Note GGI-GG4 refers to the Green Globe Awards judging criteria. Refer to the Green Globe Awards Nomination Guide for more information www.environment.nsw.gov.au/greenglobes/nominate.htm


Office of Environment and Heritage, Department of Premier and Cabinet, 59 Goulburn Street Sydney NSW 2000. PO Box A290, Sydney

South NSW 1232. Phone (02) 9995 5000 Fax (02) 9995 5999 Email [email protected] www.environment.nsw.gov.au

October 2011 OEH 2011/0587

http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/greenglobes/nominate.htm

http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/



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