Ryde Business Forum would like to introduce you to the Australian Industry Group (AI Group) and the Sustainability Advantage program. Ai Group has entered into an agreement with the New South Wales (NSW) Department of Environment and Climate Change (DECC) to recruit companies into their Sustainability Advantage Program.

The Sustainability Advantage program assists medium to large companies understand sustainability and strengthen their environmental performance. By taking part, business will receive support to reduce organisational risk in areas such as compliance and climate change.
To participate in the program companies must:

• Make an initial commitment of 18 months’ participation
• Complete the Sustainability Management Diagnostic
• Choose and undertake three or four of the seven Sustainability Advantage modules
• Attend meetings with other businesses in your cluster three to four times a year
• Make an up front contribution of ~$3K

The benefits to companies participating in the program include:

• Financial support for energy audits i.e. 80% for a level 1 audit, 70% for level 2 and 50% for level 3
• Approximately $20K worth of free technical assistance to assist companies identify and implement solutions to improve environmental performance
• Reduced operating costs

Ai Group is seeking to recruit companies into the program and establish a cluster of companies that are either sector or location specific. Members of the Ryde Business Forum and companies in the North Ryde/Macquarie Park area would make an ideal cluster under the Sustainability Advantage Program.

This program provides excellent value for money and will not only improve environmental performance but will reduce operating costs.
Alternatively, for small business (up to around 10 employees and who use approximately $20 000 a year on electricity) the DECC Energy Efficiency for Small Business Program is available to help small business become energy efficient.

We have two flyers with additional information: Click here to download the Sustainability Advantage flyer for medium and large businesses and click here to download the Energy Efficiency for Small Business Program flyer.

For more information contact Andrew de Montemas, Principal Advisor, Environment and Energy, Australian Industry Group on 9466 5536 or 0438 647 997. You can also visit www.environment.nsw.gov.au/sustainbus