Sustainable Business Planning Template

Commitment

Publicly making a statement of commitment helps get everyone on board and provides a clear message to
your stakeholders about what you stand for. It also helps set expectations for people you work with.

Environmental policy or commitment statement (example)

City of Melbourne is committed to the continual improvement of its environmental performance, including
complying with all relevant environmental legislation and to the prevention of pollution. By continuing to identify
and manage environmental impacts, City of Melbourne will maintain industry leadership, deliver value to the
community, help ensure longevity and reduce running costs.

City of Melbourne defines environmental impacts as both the direct impacts it has on the environment through
emissions, natural resource use and waste generation, and the indirect impacts that occur through its supply
chain and partnerships.

Key environmental objectives for City of Melbourne include:

 to use energy more efficiently

 to use water more efficiently

 to reduce the amount of waste produced and increase the quantity of waste re-used and recycled

 to reduce the environmental impacts of travel

 to reduce the environmental impacts of purchasing

 to offset emissions that can’t be reduced

 to increase environmental awareness and drive behaviour change

 to demonstrate innovation and leadership

These objectives will be delivered at minimal cost to ratepayers.

We/I commit to uphold City of Melbourne’s approach to sustainability through the actions outlined in the
attached plan (attach action plan).

Organisation:

Name:

Signed: Date:
Planning

Planning ahead makes it easier to be more sustainable during your event.

Use this template to plan out actions to improve environmental performance.

Example actions are provided to support you deliver on our top tips.

Energy efficiency

Objective: Use energy more efficiently and increase renewable energy

Target: Insert target

Key performance indicators: Insert key performance indicator

Key performance indicators (KPIs) are the units used to measure and track your performance.

Example key performance indicators include:

 Electricity consumption: kWh / person (or m2)

 Gas consumption: MJ / person (or m2)

 Generator fuel consumption: diesel/biodiesel L / person (or m2)

Top tips:
1. Switch off appliances when not in use.
2. Set your thermostat to between 24 and 26 degrees for cooling in summer and between 18 and 20 degrees
for heating in winter.
3. Choose energy efficient alternatives when purchasing or leasing new equipment and appliances (anything
that uses energy!).
4. Minimise temperature leakages via good draught seals, insulation and keeping your doors closed.
5. Run your business on renewables.

Table 1 – Action Plan: Energy efficiency

Switch off appliances when not in use

Action (examples provided) Responsibility Target date Results

Check if lights, appliances and equipment
are turned off when not in use
Identify opportunities for improvement and
provide appropriate signage/education to
staff
Investigate feasibility of automatic switch –
off functionality for lights, appliances and
equipment
Set your thermostat to between 24 and 26 degrees for cooling in summer and between 18 and 20 degrees for heating in
winter.

Action (examples provided) Responsibility Target date Results

Check your thermostat, draughts seals and
insulation
Identify opportunities for improvement (for
example, upgrading seals and insulation)
and provide appropriate signage and
education to staff

Choose energy efficient equipment when purchasing or leasing equipment and appliances

Action (examples provided) Responsibility Target date Results

Check the energy rating of existing
appliances
Identify opportunities for improvement (for
example, upgrading seals and insulation)
and provide appropriate signage and
education to staff
Assess future purchasing needs and
identify energy efficient options

Minimise temperature leakages via good draught seals, insulation and keeping your doors closed.

Action (examples provided) Responsibility Target date Results

Check your premises for gaps in seals or
areas where air is entering or existing your
building
Identify if these gaps are working against
your heating and cooling system
Put in place measures to improve your
seals and keep doors closed to maximize
the efficiency of your heating and cooling
systems

Run your business on renewables

Action (examples provided) Responsibility Target date Results

Check your energy bill to see if you are
purchasing renewable energy (or refer to
your venue manager)
Elect to purchase Green Power
Investigate solar power opportunities for
your business
Water management

Objective: Use water more efficiently

Target: Insert target

Key performance indicators: Insert key performance indicator

Key performance indicators (KPIs) are the units used to measure and track your performance.

Example key performance indicators include:

 Water consumption: kL / person (or m2)

Top tips:
6. Check you don’t have any leaking taps or appliances.
7. Provide drinking fountains so people don’t need to buy bottled water. Check out where drinking fountains
are located across the City of Melbourne.
8. Choose water efficient appliances and fixtures when purchasing or leasing water related equipment and
appliances.
9. Install a rainwater tank and grey water collection system for use on your garden (if you have one) or toilet
flushing.
10. Make sure chemicals and oil are responsibly thrown away and not just poured down drains.

Table 1 – Action Plan: Water management

Check you don’t have any leaking taps or appliances

Action (examples provided) Responsibility Target date Results

Check your existing taps and appliances
for leaks
Start monitoring your water use. This is a
great way to identify new leaks – a higher
than usual water bill will indicate something
is wrong
Fix any leaking taps or appliances

Provide drinking fountains so people don’t need to buy bottled water. Check out where drinking fountains are located
across the City of Melbourne.

Action (examples provided) Responsibility Target date Results

Find out where drinking fountains are
located and identify any near your business
Assess where you could place drinking
fountains for your staff and customers
Let staff and customers know they can
BYO a bottle and fill up at your business
Choose water efficient appliances and fixtures when purchasing or leasing water related equipment and appliances.

Action (examples provided) Responsibility Target date Results

Understand water ratings
Identify water equipment and appliance
needs
Commit to a minimum water rating for all
new purchases/leasing arrangements

Install a rainwater tank and grey water collection system for use on your garden (if you have one) or toilet flushing

Action (examples provided) Responsibility Target date Results

Identify your water needs
Assess the options available in the market
– meet suppliers who can come up with a
water saving solution
Install appropriate systems to meet your
needs

Make sure chemicals and oil are responsibly thrown away and not just poured down drains.

Action (examples provided) Responsibility Target date Results

Identify if any chemicals and oils are used
during your event
Provide education to staff and contractors
on how to responsibly deal with chemicals
and oils
Ensure appropriate disposal
systems/process are in place

Waste management

Objective: To reduce the amount of waste produced and increase the quantity of waste re-used and recycled

Target: Insert target

Key performance indicators: Insert key performance indicator

Key performance indicators (KPIs) are the units used to measure and track your performance.

Example key performance indicators include:

 Kg of landfill / person (or m2)

 Kg of comingled recycling / person

 Kg paper and cardboard recycling / person

 Kg drink recycling (cans/bottles) / person

 Kg food waste to landfill / person

 Kg food waste to compost / person

 Kg food donated/diverted for use

Top tips:
11. Provide recycling (e.g. mixed, IT, mobile phones) and organic waste collection bins.
12. Avoid single use waste as much as possible. If you can’t reuse it, refuse it.
12.1. Straws
12.2. Plastic water bottles
12.3. Plastic bags, cutlery and packaging
12.4. Any merchandise/giveaways that won’t be used ongoing.
13. Reward customers and staff for bringing their reusable cups, bags and bottles with discounts or
opportunities to enter competitions via social media.
14. Add extra cost to single use items to encourage reusable items. For example, make coffees/alcoholic
beverages 50 cents extra in takeaway cups.
15. Partner with an organisation that collects leftover food, old IT equipment and furniture; and redistributes
these items to people in need

Table 1 – Action Plan: Waste management

Provide recycling and organic waste collection bins.

Action (examples provided) Responsibility Target date Results

Brainstorm what waste might be generated
from your business
Find out the recycling options for your
waste streams
Put in place appropriate bins and provide
education to staff via onsite training and
customers via posters

Avoid single use waste as much as possible. If you can’t reuse it, refuse it.

Action (examples provided) Responsibility Target date Results

Identify single use waste items associated
with your business
Investigate alternatives
Educate staff and customers on
alternatives

Reward customers and staff for bringing their reusable cups, bags and bottles with discounts or opportunities to enter
competitions via social media

Action (examples provided) Responsibility Target date Results

Identify opportunities for staff and
customers to BYO cups, bags and bottles
Implement initiatives to facilitate BYO
options
Action (examples provided) Responsibility Target date Results
Let staff and customers know they can
BYO

Add extra cost to single use items to encourage reusable items. For example, make coffees/alcoholic beverages 50 cents
extra in takeaway cups.

Action (examples provided) Responsibility Target date Results

Identify opportunities to encourage
reusable items
Engage with suppliers/customers/staff and
discuss options

Partner with an organisation that collects leftover food, old IT equipment and furniture; and redistributes these items to
people in need

Action (examples provided) Responsibility Target date Results

Identify waste streams
Research potential partners in the market
to work with
Put in place a collection and pick up
program

Travel

Objective: To reduce the environmental impact of travel

Target: Insert target

Key performance indicators: Insert key performance indicator

Key performance indicators (KPIs) are the units used to measure and track your performance.

Example key performance indicators include:

 Percentage / number. of attendees who drove to the event alone/with someone

 Percentage / number of attendees who took active transport

 Km travelled / personKg of landfill / person (or m2)

Top tips:
16. Provide information on walking, riding and public transport routes to your business.
17. Offer incentives to your customers for walking, riding or car-pooling. For example, create a social media
competition with a prize attached to walking, riding or car-pooling.
18. If you need to hire/lease cars for your business, consider an electric fleet.
19. Buy carbon offsets for travel.
20. Ensure there’s adequate infrastructure to support extra bikes in the area. Provide recycling (e.g. mixed, IT,
mobile phones) and organic waste collection bins.
Table 1 – Action Plan: Travel

Provide information on walking, riding and public transport routes to your business.

Action (examples provided) Responsibility Target date Results

Identify existing maps to support providing
information on walking and riding routes
Provide information on you website and at
key touchpoints
Promote walking and riding via social
media

Offer incentives to your customers for walking, riding or car-pooling. For example, create a social media competition
with a prize attached to walking, riding or car-pooling.

Action (examples provided) Responsibility Target date Results

Identify incentives to encourage your
customers and staff to walk, ride or catch
PT
Chat with your customers and find out how
they travel and what would motivate them
to change their behaviour
Test an incentive program

If you need to hire/lease cars for your business, consider an electric fleet

Action (examples provided) Responsibility Target date Results

Identify car hire needs
Assess greener options
Commit to a minimum standard of
efficiency/green rating

Buy carbon offsets for travel.

Action (examples provided) Responsibility Target date Results

Identify travel needs
Purchase carbon offsets for travel when
available

Ensure there’s adequate infrastructure to support extra bikes in the area.

Action (examples provided) Responsibility Target date Results

Identify infrastructure to support people
riding to your business
Provide infrastructure to support cyclists

Promote cycling to your business

Product purchasing
Objective: To reduce the environmental impacts of products purchased

Target: Insert target

Key performance indicators: Insert key performance indicator

Key performance indicators (KPIs) are the units used to measure and track your performance.

Example key performance indicators include:

 % products that are recycled, recyclable or reusable

 % products locally made

 % products with a certification

Top tips:
21. Purchase items that are made out of recycled material, are recyclable, re-usable or have a guarantee they
are made to last.
22. Purchase locally made products (low carbon miles).
23. Avoid products with excessive packaging or buy in bulk (for example, swap single-serve packaged
products with loose or bulk packaged items).
24. Purchase products with an environmental or social certification (e.g. Forest Stewardship Council (FSC),
Fair Trade or Carbon Neutral).
25. Support sharing goods and services (hiring/leasing), rather than buying. Provide information on walking,
riding and public transport routes to your business.

Table 1 – Action Plan: Product purchasing

Purchase items that are made out of recycled material, are recyclable, re-usable or have a guarantee they are made to last.

Action (examples provided) Responsibility Target date Results

Identify product needs and quantify %
recycled, reusable or with a guarantee to
last
Identify better alternatives and do a cost
benefit analysis
Set minimum standards for purchasing and
a cost differential allowance (e.g. allow up
to 10% more spend for a more sustainable
alternative)
Purchase locally made products (low carbon miles).

Action (examples provided) Responsibility Target date Results

Identify product needs
Identify local alternatives
Set minimum standards for purchasing

Purchase products with an environmental or social certification.

Action (examples provided) Responsibility Target date Results

Identify environmental and social
certifications you would like to support
Identify opportunities to increase products
with a certification

Support sharing goods and services (hiring/leasing), rather than buying.

Action (examples provided) Responsibility Target date Results

Identify opportunities to replace buying with
leasing
Quantify waste savings ($ and kg)

Food and drinks

Objective: To reduce the environmental impact of food and drinks

Target: Insert target

Key performance indicators: Insert key performance indicator

Key performance indicators (KPIs) are the units used to measure and track your performance.

Example key performance indicators include:

 Meat vs vegetarian meals: $ & %

 Left-over food donated: kg

 Products with a certification: %

Top tips:
26. Provide staff with re-usable bottles (or ask them to bring their own) and provide/sell re-usable bottles or
cups to your customers.
27. Provide at least 50% vegetarian and vegan options, and where possible choose chicken instead of beef to
cut down on carbon emissions.
28. Ask caterers to avoid single use waste products or products with excessive packaging (for example, swap
single-serve sauce packets for a condiment station).
29. Prioritise catering that uses Fair Trade, local, seasonal, Carbon Neutral and any other sustainable food
options.
30. Engage a social enterprise to do your catering. Purchase items that are made out of recycled material, are
recyclable, re-usable or have a guarantee they are made to last.

Table 1 – Action Plan: food and drinks

Provide staff with re-usable bottles (or ask them to bring their own) and provide/sell re-usable bottles or cups to your
customers.

Action (examples provided) Responsibility Target date Results

Identify the different options for reducing
single use water bottles (provide vs BYO)
Choose an approach that will work for your
business
Ensure appropriate water refill locations

Provide at least 50% vegetarian and vegan options, and where possible choose chicken instead of beef to cut down on
carbon emissions.

Action (examples provided) Responsibility Target date Results

Assess catering needs
Ascertain levels of control over food
selection
Set minimum standards for meat free
options

Ask caterers to avoid single use waste products or products with excessive packaging.

Action (examples provided) Responsibility Target date Results

Engage with caterers to identify
opportunities for improvement
Educate caterers

Prioritise catering that uses Fair Trade, local, seasonal, Carbon Neutral and any other sustainable food options.

Action (examples provided) Responsibility Target date Results

Assess current practices and identify
alternatives in the market
Put in place a plan to increase the number
of items that are more sustainable

Engage a social enterprise to do your catering.

Action (examples provided) Responsibility Target date Results

Identify social enterprises who could cater
for your business
Compare catering options
Promote chosen caterer and the benefits to
the community