27 October
2006 - The graduation yesterday of 26 businesses
from the Auckland EnviroSmart pilot programme
illustrates what ordinary Kiwi businesses can
do to protect the environment.
“Through EnviroSmart practical
assistance is given to business participants to
help create successful and sustainable businesses,”
says Ministry for the Environment Chief Executive,
Hugh Logan. “The steps each business takes can
then be recognised through the achievement of
Enviro-MarkÒNZ certification.
“Kiwis and the international
marketplace are beginning to demand better and
demonstrated environmental performance. EnviroSmart
businesses are creating a competitive advantage
for their products and services.
“While we can’t work on an individual
basis with every business in New Zealand, we can
and we will continue to invest in programmes like
EnviroSmart,” says Mr Logan.
The pilot programme was a council
initiative which the Ministry for the Environment
strongly supports. The success of this and a previous
North Shore City pilot programme led to the launch
of the national EnviroSmart programme which is
backed by 24 councils and the Ministry.
The Ministry for the Environment
also recognises environmentally proactive companies
through initiatives such as the Govt3 programme
which supports environmentally sustainable procurement
within government.
“A healthy environment is the
basis of a vibrant economy and people’s quality
of life. By participating in EnviroSmart, these
businesses are helping to ensure that New Zealand’s
economic growth is environmentally sustainable.”
The Ministry contributed $34,000
to the Auckland EnviroSmart pilot programme.
To find out more about the national
EnviroSmart programme and the benefits for your
business go to www.envirosmart.co.nz.
Anna Hughes, Media Advisor, Ministry for the Environment
Public spotlight on tackling
core environment issues
26 October 2006 - The challenges
of reducing rubbish, managing flood risks and
the need to take climate change seriously are
being tackled head on by the Ministry for the
Environment at public meetings across the country
starting on Monday.
The Ministry for the Environment
“Talk Environment” meetings run from Monday 30
October until Friday 10 November in 17 communities
from Whangarei to Invercargill.
“On the ground meetings with
the public provide a constructive forum for discussing
the issues on our agenda and getting feedback
direct from local communities,” says Hugh Logan,
Chief Executive, Ministry for the Environment.
“This engagement provides valuable
information to help inform the Ministry’s programme
of work for the next 12 months. It also gives
communities an insight into the most pressing
environment issues.”
Central to this year’s public
meetings will be:
Preparing for the inevitable
impacts of climate change
Managing the risks of flooding
Actively keeping freshwater clean
Reducing rubbish
Environmental standards and reporting.
“Our climate is changing. If we prepare for the
changes we will reduce the risk and costs, and
potentially benefit from the opportunities from
a changing climate,” says Mr Logan. “Adapting
for climate change is commonsense risk-management
practice that will assist our long term sustainability.
“In addition, how communities
manage land use and development, within the constraints
of our land and water resources is vital to our
economic and environmental future.
“Most Kiwis expect a clean healthy
environment - this doesn’t happen by accident.
We’ve all got a role to play,” says Mr Logan.
Details of the Talk Environment meetings
Anna Hughes, Media Adviser, Ministry for the Environment
