Value of Sustainability Reporting for Stakeholders

Interesting article in the AFR (Wednesday 26 Sept 07 “Corporate Strategies need to be redefined”), as part of their Sustainable Investments – Special Report. The article canvassed opinions about what is the value of sustainability reporting particularly for the financial sector. It’s an interesting question that we have looked at when we are putting together our sustainability report which is aimed at a wide range of stakeholders.

For an energy company where our greenhouse performance is so directly related to our business strategy sustainability reporting is a powerful communication channel. AGL’s Sustainability Report publishes detailed information on our operational, equity and supply related greenhouse emissions which provides quantifiable information on the company’s greenhouse exposure.

In other areas of sustainability reporting which are less quantifiable it is more difficult to correlate a direct financial impact from these types indicators. But in terms of risk management which is increasingly important for business issues such as managing customer relationships, community consultation and health and safety performance can directly affect the bottom line.

Australian Government Announces Clean Energy Target

The Australian Government has announced that a 30,000 GWh clean energy target will be established to complement the Australian emissions trading scheme due to commence early next decade. The policy will be based around the current MRET (Mandatory Renewable Energy Target) and will incorporate State-based schemes designed to achieve similar policy outcomes. Interestingly, the policy will cover clean coal and clean gas projects if they can achieve an emissions intensity less than 0.2 tonnes of carbon dioxide per MWh of energy produced. For further information on this announcement, click here.

AGL at Greenhouse Challenge Conference

The Australian Greenhouse Office’s Greenhouse Challenge Plus Conference and Awards was held today and Monday.  AGL had a strong presence at the conference with a number of delegates and a stand promoting the work we do around greenhouse reporting, renewable generation, offset projects and energy efficiency.  It was great to catch up with lots of people in the industry and the AGO reps.

I attended the first day of the conference and saw some interesting presentations, in particular Sue Hall from Climate Neutral Business Network USA talking about the opportunities for companies taking the lead with carbon.  Also some interesting insights from the AGO on Greenhouse Friendly (GHF) and Greenhouse Challenge Plus.  AGO noted that there are about 50 GHF abatement projects currently undergoing the accreditation process.

AGL was also a finalist in the Business leadership category of the Greenhouse Challenge Plus awards.  Unfortunately we didn’t come away with an award (after the preceding award we had a feeling it would not be our night), but congratulations to the St. John of God Hospital, Subiaco who took out the award for Business Leadership.

IBM Launch Big Green in Sydney

Today, I presented at the IBM Big Green launch in Sydney. The project is aimed at increasing energy efficiency in data centres owned and operated by IBM. AGL was invited to provide a perspective on energy demand, supply and greenhouse gas emissions. For further information on the initiative, click here.

Greenhouse Challenge Conference and Awards Night

Tonight, AGL goes head to head with some of Australia’s biggest corporates for the prize of Business Leader at the Commonwealth Government’s Greenhouse Challenge Awards. The Awards are one part of the Greenhouse Challenge conference, an opportunity for companies to showcase their achievements and for industry to learn about greenhouse abatement and energy efficiency. To learn more, follow this link: Greenhouse Challenge.