International Standards
There is a rapidly growing expectation that organisations in NZ begin to plan and report on their environmental impacts and goals. Internationally there are various standards for reporting, including:
ISO
The International Standards Organisation sets standards across a breadth of areas for organisations and businesses of all types. Standards in the 14000s cover environmental impact. Number 14001 (2015 update) is covers environmental impacts generally. Other standards go into specifics about greenhouse gas emissions etc. Organisations can be accredited in achieving the standards (but through other bodies, not ISO). Standards aim for continuing improvement. ISO 14001 requires organisations to have an Environmental Policy: “environmental intentions and direction of an organization (3.1.4) related to environmental performance (3.4.11), as formally expressed by its top management.”
GRI
The Global Reporting Initiative has developed global standards for reporting and strategic planning. Their vision is “a sustainable future enabled by transparency and open dialogue about impacts. This is a future in which reporting on impacts is common practice by all organizations around the world.” GRI encourages a holistic understanding of development across economic, environmental and social aspects.
In NZ Go Well Consulting provides sustainability reporting and planning using the GRI framework.
SDGs
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals are becoming increasingly recognised as providing a helpful framework for sustainability planning. They set out to achieve the impossible - to be both aspirational and applicable across every context on earth. They do not include targets for carbon emissions - this is addressed in other international agreements. But they do cover a breadth of issues in ways that any organisation can pick up and say, "Yes, actually, we are doing this ... or we could be doing this better."
The UN has set 17 goals to target a wide range of aspects including environmental sustainability (and make for a very colourful interactive clock pattern!). A rigorous reporting process enables comparisons between countries internationally, and highlights key aspects for attention. SDG NZ works “to ‘hold the mirror’ on New Zealand’s progress towards the attainment of the Goals (both relative to our own history, and in comparison with other countries) and serve as a catalyst for conversations on how we can make progress towards the attainment of the Goals.”
DOWNLOAD: "TRANSFORMING OUR WORLD: THE 2030 AGENDA FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT" (the SDGs) here
ISO
The International Standards Organisation sets standards across a breadth of areas for organisations and businesses of all types. Standards in the 14000s cover environmental impact. Number 14001 (2015 update) is covers environmental impacts generally. Other standards go into specifics about greenhouse gas emissions etc. Organisations can be accredited in achieving the standards (but through other bodies, not ISO). Standards aim for continuing improvement. ISO 14001 requires organisations to have an Environmental Policy: “environmental intentions and direction of an organization (3.1.4) related to environmental performance (3.4.11), as formally expressed by its top management.”
GRI
The Global Reporting Initiative has developed global standards for reporting and strategic planning. Their vision is “a sustainable future enabled by transparency and open dialogue about impacts. This is a future in which reporting on impacts is common practice by all organizations around the world.” GRI encourages a holistic understanding of development across economic, environmental and social aspects.
In NZ Go Well Consulting provides sustainability reporting and planning using the GRI framework.
SDGs
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals are becoming increasingly recognised as providing a helpful framework for sustainability planning. They set out to achieve the impossible - to be both aspirational and applicable across every context on earth. They do not include targets for carbon emissions - this is addressed in other international agreements. But they do cover a breadth of issues in ways that any organisation can pick up and say, "Yes, actually, we are doing this ... or we could be doing this better."
The UN has set 17 goals to target a wide range of aspects including environmental sustainability (and make for a very colourful interactive clock pattern!). A rigorous reporting process enables comparisons between countries internationally, and highlights key aspects for attention. SDG NZ works “to ‘hold the mirror’ on New Zealand’s progress towards the attainment of the Goals (both relative to our own history, and in comparison with other countries) and serve as a catalyst for conversations on how we can make progress towards the attainment of the Goals.”
DOWNLOAD: "TRANSFORMING OUR WORLD: THE 2030 AGENDA FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT" (the SDGs) here
Global Resilience Partnership
https://www.globalresiliencepartnership.org/
The Global Resilience Partnership advances resilience through identifying and scaling on the ground innovation, generating and sharing knowledge, and shaping policy. Resilience underpins sustainable development in an increasingly unpredictable world. We envisage an inclusive world in harmony with nature, that is better prepared to cope with shocks, adapt to change, and transform – all within planetary boundaries.
The Global Resilience Partnership advances resilience through identifying and scaling on the ground innovation, generating and sharing knowledge, and shaping policy. Resilience underpins sustainable development in an increasingly unpredictable world. We envisage an inclusive world in harmony with nature, that is better prepared to cope with shocks, adapt to change, and transform – all within planetary boundaries.
Future Fit
Future Fit is a global resource for sustainability.
Future Fit NZ offers "a simple yet powerful and proactive way for you to engage with climate change. FutureFit provides a snapshot of your impact on the planet and helps you make some really positive changes in the way you live to help reduce your footprint."
Future Fit NZ offers "a simple yet powerful and proactive way for you to engage with climate change. FutureFit provides a snapshot of your impact on the planet and helps you make some really positive changes in the way you live to help reduce your footprint."
Sample Environmental Policies
Sample church environmental sustainability policy: St Yolanda's Church