Environmental sustainability
Environmental and natural resource issues are two areas of business risk that have become increasingly important since the early 1970s. It is hardly surprising the Australian food industry, which is so dependant on the natural resource base, has had to keep abreast of advances in our understanding of the Australian environment and natural resource capability.
Environmental management is the management of people’s activities that effect the environment and is focussed towards reducing the effect. Industry practices in all sectors have been changing over the past few years to reduce impact on our soils, water resources, air quality, and our biodiversity in terms of the richness of our native flora and fauna.
Environmental Management Systems
An environmental management system is a management tool any business can use to control the impacts its activities have on the environment. It is a structured framework used to provide guidance on good management practice.
In recent years, environmental management systems have been successful in meeting the environmental management needs of many businesses, particularly in the mining and manufacturing industries.
The best-known standards for environmental management are the International Standards Organisation’s standards ISO 14001 and ISO 14004.
Visit the Australian Government Department of Agrocultre, Food and Fisheries for more.
Need advice?
Managing your impact as well as your environmental responsibilities can ensure your business is environmentally friendly and reaping the added benefits. Your business can benefit from implementing an EMS in a number of ways including rationalising resource use, making licences and permits easier to obtain and helping meet your own environmental and quality targets.
There are two nationally funded programs for the EMS framework in Australia – covering both agriculture and eco-efficiency projects. Other state-based programs and grants are also available through Zero Waste SA, Business SA and the Environment Protection Authority.
The EPA has been running a program aimed at supporting businesses wanting to work with their partners and suppliers on “greening their supply process”.
'Greening the supply process' is a way of reducing the effects of business activities on the environment and bringing benefits to both customers and suppliers. “Greening” is in the form of improving efficiency of the use of materials, energy, water and recyclables and decreasing pollution, waste disposal and effects on the environment. The outcome is a more environmentally conscious supply process rather than a “greener” end product.
How has the SA Food Centre helped others?
There are many examples of assistance offered to South Australian food businesses in environmental sustainability.
Case Study
Foodbank SA
Winners - Premier's Food Awards -Sustainabilty Award
Clean Seas Limited - 2009
AgriExchange - 2008
The Food Forest - 2007
Coopers Brewery - 2006
Who can I contact?
Contact the SA Food Centre for assistance of further contacts to help with your environmental sustainability.
- Page last modified: November 15, 2011, 5:52 pm
- Welcome URL is http://www.safoodcentre.com.au/
- This page: http://www.safoodcentre.com.au/business_fundamentals/envoronmental_sustainability
