John O'Gorman, Director Northern Region, NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change (left) and Nick Savaidis, Director, Etiko Fair Trade (right)
Etiko Fair Trade has won the 2008 Banksia Award for Business Sustainability proudly sponsored by the Department of Environment and Climate Change NSW (DECC).
Etiko Fair Trade is a revolutionary small business, providing certified Fairtrade sporting balls and fashion items for environmentally and socially conscious Australians.
Other DECC partners to receive an award include Earth Hour and Investa Property Group. Earth Hour took home the Origin Gold Banksia Award and the Environmental Education Award. In 2008, the climate change awareness campaign shifted from a Sydney event to a global sustainability movement with more than 50 million participants. The NSW Government, through its Climate Change Fund, was a major sponsor of Earth Hour 2008.
Investa Property Group won the Climate Award for its sustainability efforts, including:
- reducing the environmental impact of operating their office portfolio since 2003/2004 (reduced electricity consumption by 21%, gas consumption by 43%, greenhouse gas emissions by 23% and achieved an average NABERS OFFICE Energy Rating of 3.96 stars)
- becoming the world's first formally accredited Sustainable Responsible Investment (SRI) property fund manager
- development of the Green Lease Guide for commercial office tenants.
DECC teamed up with Investa and others to develop the Green Lease Guide and the Your Home Buyer's Guide. Investa is also a partner in the DECC Sustainability Advantage Program, and the Your Home Buyer's Guide.
Download your copy of the Green Lease Guide or the Your Home Buyer's Guide now from the Our Environment – it's a living thing website.
Investa also received DECC 2008 Sustainability Green Globe Awards for Climate Change Leadership and Energy (Industry).
DECC warmly congratulates all the 2008 Banksia Award winners for their environmental achievements, and contribution to addressing the challenges of climate change.