Climate change will affect every Australian business, and is one of the most critical risk factors that will impact the future viability of businesses. As a result, climate change and sustainability have moved beyond buzz words to being significant factors in business planning and operations. Business sustainability preparation is more than environmental preservation; it recognizes the impact of businesses on society, employees and collective wealth of a nation. It also helps businesses improve efficiency and productivity which makes good business sense – economically, environmentally and socially.

Pittwater RSL Club is aware of its responsibilities to our industry and community partners that reflect our social, environmental and economic sustainability performance.

As such, the Club has created a “Green Team” which will pursue best practice industry benchmarks in all that they do, and work to integrate elements of sustainability into our business, operations and interaction with the community. The team is made up of management & staff of Pittwater RSL Club.

OUR VISION

· Our influence as a major employer on the Northern Beaches helps stimulate the local economy and publicly commit to improved resource management.
· We will deliver quality infrastructure solutions to community issues and continue to promote social inclusion amongst our members.
· All members will be made aware of our performance and our responsibility towards sustainable development.
· We will also encourage local community partners towards sustainable practice outside the confines of our Club.

SUSTAINABILITY MANAGEMENT

· We will develop a method to encourage sustainability contributions from staff, members and the community.
· We will be building partnerships with external organizations to further our progress and influence with regard to sustainability
· We are integrating sustainability targets into strategic decision making at Board and management level
· We are developing a sound data management system for benchmarking and tracking performance.
· We are committed to receiving recognition by industry and community for showing best practice in sustainability performance with a goal to be the Number One Club in NSW inside three years.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

· To reduce our energy usage by over 10% in the next 12 months.
· To monitor output and develop a strategy to reduce our Green House Gas Emissions by over 700 tonnes in the next 12 months
· To monitor and benchmark paper usage and demonstrate a marked improvement in paper use efficiency
· To maintain our status as a low water user and move towards best practice of 20L per patron per day. The installation of water tanks for irrigation use has limited our reliance on town water.
· To demonstrate ecologically sustainable design in any major capital works.

SOCIAL IMPACT

· To be recognized as an organization that benefits the Northern Beaches in general and the Pittwater Area in particular, through our operation in the region.
· Recognition as an employer that values diversity, respect and integrity amongst its staff and encourages them to pursue

ECONOMIC AND SUPPLY CHAIN IMPACT

· Engagement with our suppliers to screen against poor social and environmental practice, and to develop ways to improve performance in these areas.
· Stimulation of the local economy through each area of our operations, working with community business groups and increasing our use of locally based suppliers.
· Continued sustainability growth through sound strategic decision making at management and board level.

CURRENT PROGRAMS

· The Club has recently procured an Energy Review which has identified a number of areas to reduce our energy usage and carbon foot print.
· Proposals have been obtained to upgrade our lighting to LED style lamps and other more efficient fittings. This program will be undertaken in a matter of weeks.
· Further investigations are under way in relation to installing gas fueled electrical generators which will not only produce our electrify needs, but also supply enough heat for our domestic hot water and space heating needs as a consequence. Further, it will allow the Club to remove itself from the current energy grid to increase capacity for our neighbors.
· Solar panel installation and upgrading/modifying our existing Air Conditioning system is also being investigated.
· Installing a “Pulp Master” unit in our Kitchen will enable all food waste to be liquefied and pumped out for ecological use.
· Installation of a “Green” wall within the Club will allow staff, members and visitors to view our initiatives, monitor our performance and also to supply contributions as required.
· Our greens staff are investigating expanding the recycled water systems and installing mulchers and compost containers.
· Investigating the use of re-usable coasters in our bar areas.
· Replacing our current plastic raffle prize bags with recyclable or reusable bags.

SUSTAINABILITY RISK AND OPPORTUNITY

Pittwater RSL Club believes that there are significant opportunities that exist through promoting sustainability principles within our organization. These opportunities can be both financial and reputational, and through good business practice we will be able to greatly benefit from integrating elements of sustainability into our organization.
These elements have slowly been integrated over the years, but are now gaining momentum with the appointment of the Green Team and with the continued full support of the CEO and Board.

Over the years, the Club has installed:

· Building Management system for its Air Condoning, allowing the use of the ambient outside air temperatures as much as possible.
· Dynalite control for its lighting
· Time Clocks and daylight sensors for external lighting
· Water pressure reducers
· Converted electric domestic Hot Water systems to gas
· Installation of anti glare reflective coating on our roof.
· Installation of rain water irrigation tanks and infrastructure
· Good business practice and training staff in awareness in regard to monitoring and reporting energy wastage.

While these existing initiatives have produced significant savings, accurate data is difficult to interpret given the rise in electricity charges, infrastructure changes and major renovations to the Club etc.

As part of our ongoing program, sophisticated methods for data recording and monitoring will be installed, and I will be in a position to report on significant savings in line with the initiatives above, both fiscal and environmental, in the 2014 Annual report.