Growing awareness for the need to address the adverse impacts, organisations are having on the environment has led to an increased effort to manage these impacts systematically through an EMS. While large corporations and other organisations such as the Councils are increasingly asking suppliers to prove their environmental credentials, Eco Warranty is a recognised certification standard that allows companies to do so. Apart from allowing companies greater market access, the implementation of an EMS helps organisations to identify inefficiencies, e.g. in energy and resource usage, which eventually results in significant cost savings. For example  the companies that attended last year’s Eco Smart Business programme saved an average of NZ$3,600 during the first year of implementation.

While the Eco Smart Business workshops are already, underway companies who are also interested in implementing a simple but effective EMS in compliance to the Eco Warranty and ISO 14001 standard can sign up to one of the EMS workshops provided by International Certifications Ltd throughout the year. These workshops will provide you with a DIY Kit containing templates for an EMS manual and all required forms as well as the knowledge required to implement and maintain the EMS within your organisation. For a list of workshop dates and details about the content please see the training section of our website.

The Carbon Warranty programme has been developed by International Certifications Ltd as a user friendly way of verifying organisations’ carbon footprints in accordance with ISO 14064-1:2006. Under this programme companies can achieve three distinct levels of verification, “Carbon Measured”, “Carbon Managed” and “Carbon Neutral”.

Since July 2009 Godfrey Hirst (NZ) Ltd has quantified and reported their annual GHG emissions occurring from design, manufacture, sales and distribution of their carpets.  Over the first two years the organisation has reduced their overall GHG emissions by 7%. Significant reductions have been made in the use of natural gas (–13% or 126 tonnes CO₂ equivalent) and electricity (–48% or 236 tonnes CO₂ equivalent). These reductions were achieved by a programme dedicated to installing more energy efficient production equipment. Per meter of carpet the reductions have been –6% and –41% respectively. Besides the reductions in GHG emissions, these activities have saved the organisation a significant amount in electricity costs.

Having addressed GHG reductions through energy efficiency programmes in the previous years, this year’s program is directed towards reducing waste, which currently accounts for a 17% of Godfrey Hirst’s GHG emissions. From reductions in this area the organisation is expecting another drop in operational costs.

Godfrey Hirst’s production manager, Glyn Jones, has been highly satisfied with the programme and points out that “[…] with the support of carbon consultant, Sustainable Edge, the process and audit was surprisingly painless.  We have maintained our leading edge and are the first NZ carpet manufacturer to measure and manage our carbon footprint”.

Because of their activities to reduce their GHG emissions the organisation has achieved the Carbon Warranty level “Carbon Managed”. This means that their GHG emissions have been quantified and reported in accordance with the ISO 14064-1:2006 standard and that they have implemented an effective GHG Emissions Management and Reduction Plan.

While the programme has helped Godfrey Hirst to identify and achieve efficiency improvements that resulted in cost savings for the company, the Carbon Warranty programme also enables the company to demonstrate to the market its commitment to sustainability and maintain leadership in the industry. The company recognises that in a marketplace where customers demand environmental responsibility from their suppliers recognised verification programmes such as Carbon Warranty benefit their organisation by proving their environmental credentials.

If you want to learn more about the Carbon Warranty programme or want to get your Carbon Footprint verified under this programme please see the information here or contact International Certifications Ltd.

Over the year the companies attended guided workshops and carried out associated activities to improve their environmental outcomes, increase market appeal and achieve financial savings while working towards gaining Eco Warranty Environmental Certification.

The Eco Warranty:2010 Environmental Management standard is the user friendly alternative to the internationally recognised ISO 14001 standard. Companies’ feedback on the program and the certification process was that they were impressed by the ease of implementing a robust Environmental Management System (EMS) that helps them manage their environmental impacts and improve their environmental credentials throughEco Warranty Certification.

Companies that are now certified to the Eco Warranty standard after completing the 2011 Eco Smart Business program include:

- Abilities Incorporated
- Eco Insulation Ltd
- Floorcraft Ltd
- Greenscene NZ
- Pohlen Kean
- Soar Printing Co Limited
- Barnes Plastics
- Eurotec
- Leafscreen
- Paint Aids Ltd
- The Library Supply Co Ltd
- Transworks
- We Clean Carpets Ltd
- Flowerday Enterprises
- Treesafe Limited
- North Tugz
- Envirotech Maintenance Limited
- Pink Bins Co. Ltd
- Auckland Theatre Company
- Manukau Beautification Charitable Trust
- Community Leisure Management
- Animal Control Services
- DSM Group

Some of the companies that participated in the Eco Smart Business Program achieved ISO 14001 certification as well as Eco Warranty. These companies are:

- de Bruin Judge Furniture
- Colmar Brunton Research Ltd
- Graffiti Solutions Ltd
- Power Shield Ltd
- Jack Links New Zealand Ltd
- Jani King (NZ) Ltd
- Zymus International Ltd

Companies who are interested in the 2012 Eco Smart Business program and wanting to improve their environmental and financial performance too can sign up to the Eco Smart Program. Please contact the Auckland International Certifications office for details.

The first 50 businesses signing up also receive a 50% subsidy thanks to the support of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) and Auckland Council.