Featured Links

Sustainable Business

In the words of the New Zealand Sustainable Business Network, "SBN is often asked what a sustainable business would look like. While there is no easy answer, from our experience of working with hundreds of businesses interested in social, economic and environmental performance, we believe a sustainable business is one where:

• Business leaders are committed to applying sustainability principles. Sustainability is central to the organisation’s vision.
• All resources used by the business have been assessed for their need, are the most sustainable option available, are being used efficiently and where possible are reused or recycled.
• People are invested in and staff behaviours reinforcing sustainability are supported.
• Where possible, external sustainability / social / environmental accreditation has been achieved to verify business practices and operations.
• Sustainability is incorporated into the design of products or services, their manufacture or delivery, and the business takes responsibility for the whole of the life cycle.
• The business is profitable and efficient with a long-term horizon; and invests strategically in its sustainable future and innovation.
• Communities the business is located within or has influence upon are invested in financially and through time and skills.
• Opportunities are taken to publicly communicate sustainability successes and ongoing challenges, increasing transparency and accountability."

More information...

• Check out the top 100 sustainable businesses in the world.  Could your business be on this list?
• The Bay of Plenty Sustainable Business Network offers a multitude of opportunities here in Rotorua, so take a look at their website for more information.
• Environment Bay of Plenty runs a Sustainable Business Challenge that gives businesses a chance to network and learn about each other whilst having a little fun.
• The Rotorua Sustainable Tourism Charter assists the tourism industry.  Three Rotorua tourism activities were among the first in New Zealand to achieve Green status under the Qualmark tourism acreditation system.
• The Rotorua Green Drinks network offers a great chance to meet with like-minded business and organisations.
• National organisations such as The Natural Step New Zealand provide a strong framework to assist businesses.
• The Story of Stuff answers the question: 'why can't things keep going the way they are?'

Learn more about...

• Well-being
• Waste minimisation
• Sustainable transport
• Water
• Sustainable development
• Sustainable buildings
• Climate change
• Energy efficiency
• Food systems
• Ecosystems
• Forests
• Wetlands
• Consumer information
• Air quality