Inside Sustainability
March, 2009
Welcome to the second edition of Inside Sustainability. In this edition we introduce our new carbon calculator and provide an overview of some exciting sustainability initiatives we are associated with both in Australia and overseas. Please feel free to call our office if you need any information or advice on any issue associated with climate change, sustainability or destination management.
Regards,
Stewart Moore
CEO, EC3 Global
In this Issue
EC3 launches free carbon calculator for Australian travellers
 A new online carbon calculator for holiday makers in Australia has just been launched by EC3 Global in cooperation with the Sustainable Tourism Cooperative Research Centre (STCRC).
The calculator provides a simple four-step process which runs through areas such as transport, accommodation and holiday recreation, and provides users with a breakdown of their carbon foot print as well as where their emissions come from. It also gives tips on how to reduce a holiday's impact and provides links to carbon offset providers. Click here to view EC3 Global's free carbon calculator. To find out more information on creating a carbon calculator for your destination please contact EC3 Global.
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NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service uses Earthcheck to improve its EMS
 EC3 Global in partnership with NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service has released an enhanced version of EC3’s environmental benchmarking tool, Earthcheck, to allow 121 lodges, hotels, and apartments measure and monitor their environmental footprint. The Environmental Management System for the Perisher Range Resorts (PRREMS) provides a common context and set of environmental goals for the resort area. This tool will help all operators within the National Park’s resort apply environmental best practice to ensure ecological and economic sustainability.
“The new customized Earthcheck software will be instrumental in helping the ski lodges of Perisher monitor and improve their environmental performance. It provides a dynamic user friendly interface for inputting key data and feedback against benchmarked industry standards. It has also given us, at NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service a renewed confidence in demonstrating to our stakeholders that we can achieve the targets within our PRREMS.” Virginia Logan, Environmental Management Officer
To see how Earthcheck could work in your destination, please contact EC3 Global.
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Green Globe training workshop in Hong Kong a huge success
 The Green Globe Auditor Training Workshop, proudly hosted by EC3 Global and sponsored by ECOLAB was held at the Eaton Hotel in Hong Kong late last month. The event attracted 26 delegates from across Asia including Japan, Korea, China, Taiwan, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia. The workshop was held in response to the growing consumer demand for locally based, highly skilled third party Green Globe approved auditors.
The workshop featured a vibrant programme with international keynote speakers and provided training on the revised Green Globe Company Standard as well as the practical dimensions of Benchmarking and Certification. An emphasis was placed on maintaining the integrity of the Green Globe programme delivered by EC3 Global to ensure that auditors adhere to international principles of credible Certification Services (ISO/IEC 17021).
For more information on the other auditor workshops that will be conducted this year, please contact Shey at shey.parry@ec3global.com, or +61 (0) 732 381 934.
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Analysing market trends on the Great Southern Touring Route
EC3 Global’s Performance Solutions Manager, Wayne McKinnon, recently spent a week travelling through south western Victoria delivering Industry Performance Analysis Tool (IPAT) workshops to the members of the Great Southern Touring Route. This route is renowned as one of Australia's best driving experiences.
EC3 Global’s Industry Performance Analysis Tool (IPAT) is a dynamic web-based solution for capturing and sharing real time performance data within tourism businesses. The regions are currently implementing IPAT to measure the performance of the touring route and the effectiveness of its international marketing initiatives. Individual tourism operators will also be able to compare their performance against the average performance of similar businesses across the whole of south western Victoria.
For more information visit IPAT or contact EC3 Global to see how IPAT could work in your destination!
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What is “Greenwash”?
 “Greenwash” refers to the growing trend of businesses falsely promoting themselves, their products and services as “carbon friendly, “green”, “sustainable” or “environmentally friendly”. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) recently released the guideline “Carbon Claims and the Trace Practices Act”. The guideline notes that vague, unsubstantiated, confusing or misleading information can reduce consumer confidence thereby disadvantaging ethical traders.
Things to remember when making carbon claims: - Be specific: avoid broad, sweeping statements;
- Back your statements up with proof;
- State your targets and accomplishments clearly;
- Ensure that you have a measurement and management system in place to substantiate claims; and
- Provide accurate and complete information to consumers.
The lesson is clear – ensure that any environmental claim is accurate and can be substantiated if challenged. This will ensure compliance, minimize the risk of ACCC investigation, and give your customers more confidence in your product and services.
Measure it. Manage it. Improve it. Visit contact EC3 Global for more information on measurement and management systems.
The People Behind EC3: Cara Holcombe
 Cara Holcombe
Senior Project Manager, Consulting Services
With EC3 Global since 2003.
Cara has a long history with EC3 Global, having worked with the Sustainable Tourism CRC during her undergraduate degree in Environmental Management majoring in Sustainable Development. After her studies, she travelled the world for over a year before joining the Consulting Services in team in 2003. Last year Cara was invited to Oxford University to participate in a United Nations seminar on climate change, adaptation and mitigation in the tourism sector. This year she will complete her Masters in International and Community Development which she has been working towards part time in addition to her valued role at EC3 Global. Cara is passionate about facilitating the sustainable development of communities. She enjoys working in the close team environment at EC3 Global to find solutions to a variety of sustainability challenges faced by destinations and their communities. Outside of work, Cara likes to experience both nature and other cultures through travelling. She recently visited Vanuatu and New Zealand and is eagerly awaiting her next adventure!
Celebrating Industry's Green Wins
Each month we will share an industry initiative that is helping to pave the path towards a more sustainable future.
 The Adelaide Showground commits to sustainability
The Adelaide Showground has recently committed to reducing their energy and water consumption through a comprehensive sustainability action plan. Taking a lead in the industry, the showgrounds are responding to the growing number of events, conference and exhibition organisers who are seeking venues that meet strict environmental criteria. The $50 million development will allow for the 26 hectare Showground site to be entirely self-sufficient in energy and water use.
The improvements include: - Incorporation of wind turbines at the south-western corner of Jubilee Pavilion with a generation capacity of 20 mega watt hours (MWh).
- Capturing of sprinkler system test water for below-ground storage.
- Underground water storage, to harvest 3.5 million litres of rainwater for use in toilets, irrigation and water features associated with the new exhibition building. It will supply over 50% of the water requirements for the whole Showground site.
- 1,000 kilowatts of solar panels to provide electricity requirements of the exhibition facilities (equivalent to over 40% of the annual electricity needs of the Showground as a whole).
- 80% of salvaged materials from demolished buildings in the precinct were recycled.
As a part of the Adelaide Showground’s commitment to minimising their impact on the environment, they have commenced the benchmarking and certification process on their operational performance through EC3 Global and are working towards becoming certified with Green Globe.
For more information on the Adelaide Showground, please visit www.adelaideshowground.com.au. For more information on EC3 Global’s certification programs, contact EC3 Global.
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