New Zealand Celsias

Westpac NZ Ltd was named Sustainable Business of the Year at the 2011 NZI National Sustainable Business Network Awards in Auckland .

Westpac also took home the People’s Choice and the Trailblazer Large and Corporate Business awards.

The Judges were particularly impressed by Westpac’s high level of commitment to sustainability across management levels. It has instigated sustainability initiatives in a number of business areas such as carbon trading, an impulse savings product, financial literacy programmes, recyclable bank cards and communication of sustainability issues to customers.

 As Suzi Marsden from Westpac put it "Westpac has put sustainability at the heart of its culture and has an unrivalled commitment to Grow New Zealand, support local communities and protect our environment. We see it as part of our duty to act responsibly and assist in building a more sustainable and robust economy for at least another 150 years – not just as a large employer, but also as an organisation that helps all New Zealanders’ reach their financial goals".

And here's what they did:

ACTIONS
Travel
• Replacement of entire vehicle fleet (300 vehicles) to hybrid and diesel vehicles over past 3 years.
• Taxi share notification service in place with air travel supplier to assist and encourage staff to share taxis to and from airports.
• Target to reduce air travel by 20% over the next 4 years. This is coupled with annual carbon reduction target setting and monthly reporting.
• Video conferencing available to teams in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Hamilton and Tauranga.
• Staff carpooling encouraged and incentivised through internal communications and petrol voucher offers.
• New head office location chosen for its proximity to Britomart, allowing easy access to ferry, train and bus services.

Waste
• 40% reduction target set and new waste management programme launched, which includes new recycling bins in all northern region sites, waste separation and subsequent re-use or recycling.
• Inefficient printers replaced by more efficient printers, and free toner recycling programme set up with printer supplier.
• Marketing department has reduced the volume of Direct Mailings and digital solutions now available to most customers.

Energy
• Establishment of Energy Management Policy and Environmental Strategy, energy audits, action plans and energy saving initiatives to reduce energy consumption in facilities primarily.
• Energy performance reported monthly at all sites in NZ, and poorly performing sites are investigated accordingly.

Water
• Building design has included a reduction of hot water heater size, and located at point of use e.g. kitchens and bathroom hand basins.
• Low water content flush toilet systems for water efficiency.

Building
• Aside from being located next to the biggest public transport hub in Auckland, the new head office holds a 5 Star Green Star Office Design and Build rating. Westpac have applied for a 5 Star Green Star rating for the office fit-out as well.
• Examples of sustainability in the building include: daylight dimming and small, independent lighting zones; optimum fresh air, temperatures, light levels and office layout enhances the feeling of well-being; low emission levels from paints, glues and other building products; refrigerants that reduce the Ozone Depleting Potential in the event of a leak.

Community
• Four-year sustainability plan, the “Our Tomorrow” project, involving individual business units.

RESULTS
Travel
• Fleet reduction has resulted in an energy consumption reduction of 5,300,004MWh or 58%, despite an increase of 18% in the total vehicle fleet.

Waste
• Paper consumption has decreased by 7%, and savings from toners have been achieved.

Energy
• 9.8% reduction is gas and electricity consumption from 2008-2009, and further 13% reduction in 2010.

Community
• 16% of Westpac staff have volunteered to be part of the “Our Tomorrow” project team.
• Providing more environmentally-friendly products and services to Westpac’s 1.2 million active customers, including 100% recycled plastic ATM/EFTPOS cards, online banking services, and paper statement suppression.
• The 2008 launch of an online ecoshop and 2009 merger with the Westpac credit card reward programme, offering eco-conscious rewards.

Congratulations, Westpac