Opportunities for the Environmentally

Responsible Organisation

insight

The range of reasons why

corporations need to be environmentally

responsible

The biggest environmental concerns for

Australia

The environmental

responsibilities that are business opportunities:

Forming sustainable supply chainsComprehensive sustainability reportingEmployee engagementImproving energy e�ciency

The range of reasons

corporations need to be environmentally

responsible

The biggest environmental concerns for

Australia

The environmental

responsibilities that are business opportunities:

Forming sustainable supply chainsComprehensive sustainability reportingEmployee engagementImproving energy e�ciency

Key Points you will learn

Environmental sustainability is one of the key benchmarks for corporate excellence.

Why does it pay for businesses to champion the cause of environmental sustainability?

Future business growth

Corporate governance and regulations

Strengthening supplier and customer relationships

Opportunities for innovation

Productivity gains through waste reductionLimited access to natural resources & volatile energy marketsEnhancing brand reputation

biggest environmental issues

facing Australiansi

WaterSmarter Management

Climate Change Reduce greenhouse gas emissions

Energy Replacing Fossil Fuels

Oceans Marine protection

Sustainable Cities Smarter infrastructure

Population Sustainable infrastructure

Coal Develop alternative, renewable energy sources

Biodiversity 1500 land-based species facing extinction

Ourselves

Transport

Education is key

10 10 Lack of investment in public transport

A snapshot: Australiaii

Per capita, Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions are higher than any other developed country.

While the energy efficiency of Australia’s economy is generally improving, our net carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions continue to rise.

Our major cities are home to 77% of the Australian population and much of our built infrastructure – they are heavily exposed to the impacts of climate change, including sea level rise.

96% of Australia’s net energy consumption comes from fossil fuel combustion.

One key mechanism for reducing the environmental impact of economic growth will be the integration of environmental considerations into business and public policy decision making.

The good news is there are business opportunities for those organisations that are forward looking and open to them …

In 2013, emerging opportunities are:

1. Sustainable supply chains

"Organisations have also started looking at the sustainability of their supply chain, with nearly 60% of respondents reporting procurement policies that give preference to environmentally preferable products, services and suppliers. Stewardship over the supply chain is expected to be an emerging focus area.” iii

The opportunity: To form strong, environmentally conscientious partnerships that meet the approval of stakeholders and customers.

An organisation’s reputation can impact its supply chains, business continuity, employee attraction and retention, reputation, and even the right to operate.

2. Comprehensive sustainability reporting

37% use a centralised

database; 26% use spreadsheets and fewer than 8% use packaged

software for reporting. v

“As integrated reporting catches on, it will push companies to use tools that help them generate higher-quality sustainability data.” iv

The opportunity: Monitoring, measuring and communicating environmental initiatives with intuitive data collection tools to meet compliance requirements and to create purchasing efficiencies.

Technology can be used to identify and create operational and purchasing efficiencies. Real-time data on areas like carbon and water use allow timely analysis and decision-making.

In an Ernst & Young global survey on the tools

companies use for Environmental, Social and

Corporate Governance reporting, environmental reporting was considered the most sophisticated.

“Comparing companies with strongsustainability programs withcompanies that have poor ones- in the former, morale was 55% better”

The opportunity: Environmental initiatives for company-wide involvement and benefits.

3. Employee engagement

business processes were 43% more efficient

public image was 43% stronger

employee loyalty was 38% better.viIt is important for senior decision-makers to work

with key groups, such as human resources to infuse sustainability throughout the organisation – in practices and culture - with knock-on benefits realised throughout the enterprise.

The opportunity: To slow down the depletion of natural resources, improving the planet with innovative alternatives, leading change.

"As the world's population moves towards 9 billion by 2050, resources are under pressure, exacerbated by climate change. By 2030 we will demand twice as many resources as the planet can supply - risking social unrest and conflicts as people and nations compete for ever scarcer resources. New technologies and rethinking consumption will be critical in future - with businesses rather than governments likely to lead the way.” vii

4. Improving energy efficiency

As our growing global population consumes more food and energy, businesses can improve their chances of longevity and create new revenue streams by investing in research and development of environmentally sustainable alternatives.

Environmentally friendly business practices mean more than keeping a clean corporate

conscience. Climate change, scarcity of natural resources, stricter governance and the need for

transparency hold deep ramifications for business

decision-makers.

Company culture, brand reputation and profitability can be

significantly enhanced or damaged depending on an organisation’s

environmental strategies, practices and impact.

By monitoring environmental issues and trends, organisations are

positioned favourably not only to act responsibly but to benefit from

opportunities to enhance performance and compliance through innovative

ways of ethically sourcing, structuring and marketing products, processes and

supply chains. 

Conclusion

Konica Minolta is committed to reducing their environmental footprint. A key aspect of achieving this is through measuring, minimising and managing carbon emissions via an independent sustainability and carbon management consultancy. Overall GHG performance for the Australian operations of Konica Minolta for FY2012-13 reported a -23.1 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents (tCO2-e), a decrease of 0.4% over the base year of FY 2010-11.

Sustainable practices, policies and technologies are the core of everything Konica Minolta does. We have initiated programs and policies for over 30 years to reduce our carbon footprint and encourage operational environmental sustainability in our partners and customers. Our business machines are among the most environmentally efficient available. They are more energy efficient, use less toner, and produce less greenhouse gas emissions than ever before.

Konica Minolta for our planet’s future

Australian Packaging Covenant

Konica Minolta Australia is a signatory to the covenant that is a commitment by industry and governments to the sustainable design, use and recovery of packaging.

Cartridge Collection Program

Konica Minolta joined forces with Planet Ark and Close the Loop to assist in driving forward their ‘Cartridges 4 Planet Ark’ program. The program is a free collection service for the recycling and remanufacturing of used cartridges to keep them out of landfill. The component materials recovered through the recycling process include aluminium, steel, plastic, toner, ink and foam.

Partnership with Landcare Australia

Konica Minolta Australia is an official corporate supporter of Landcare Australia and its tireless efforts working with the community, government and business to protect and repair Australia’s magnificent, yet stressed, natural resources.

Local initiatives

92% of all our end of life machines are recycled via e-Sims recycling

All plastics, foam and cardboard are recycled via Yusen using WasteFree

All toner bottles and other consumables are recycled via Close the Loop

All paper used in the office is a 50% recycled product (excludes showroom)

Konica Minolta House is a 4 star rated environmental building.

All paper in the KM recycle bins is recycled via Sita

Where possible we purchase ‘earth saver’ stationery items

Konica Minolta can provide tailored solutions to help you achieve your environmental goals. Our Optimised Print Services Environmental Audit can help you understand how to improve the environmental efficiency of your printer environment. Along with our award winning multifunction printing devices and wide range of innovative software solutions,

Konica Minolta can provide an integrated approach to helping you achieve real environmental gains.

For more information visit www.konicaminolta.com.au or Free Call: 1800 789 389

i. Our top 10 environmental problems

ii. SUSTAINABLE AUSTRALIA REPORT 2013 by the National Sustainability Council

iii. The Corporate Environmental & Sustainability Governance Survey for 2013, BSI

iv. & v. 2013 six growing trends in corporate sustainability - An Ernst & Young survey

vi. Advancing Sustainability: HR’s Role, 2011 The Society for Human Resources Management

vii. Global trends for 2013, 26 November 2012, The Economist

References