Environmental Sustainability Policy
Australian Business and Management Network
Version 1
Australian Business and Management Network
Environmental
Sustainability Policy
Version: 1
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Environmental Sustainability Policy
Contents
Contents ...................................................................................................................................... 2
Description .................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Purpose ....................................................................................................................................... 3
Applicability .................................................................................................................................. 3
Definitions .................................................................................................................................... 3
Policy ........................................................................................................................................... 3
1.1.1 Section name................................................................................................................... 4
1.1.2 Section name................................................................................................................... 5
Procedure ..................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
1.1.3 Section name.................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Related documents ...................................................................................................................... 6
Forms ........................................................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined.
Policies and procedures ............................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined.
Assets ....................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Authorisation ................................................................................................................................ 6
Policy History ............................................................................................................................... 6
Australian Business and Management Network
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Contents
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Environmental Sustainability Policy
1. Purpose
This policy demonstrates Australian Business and Management Network (ABMN)’s commitment
to the support of environmental sustainability in accordance with environmental legislation and
principles.
2. Scope
The policy applies to:

Staff employed by ABMN

Contractors engaged by ABMN

Members of ABMN
3. Definitions
Environmental – being concerned with the ecological effects of altering the environment
Sustainable – meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future
generations to meet their needs. It looks at reduce our environmental footprint and helping
preserve the world’s precious natural resources.
4. Policy Statement
ABMN seeks to improve the human condition by advancing knowledge and fostering creativity. It
does so through research and education that is framed by a commitment to social justice, human
rights, sustainable progress and enduring well-being.
ABMN respects our relationship with the natural environment and its life-sustaining ecosystems
and recognises the need to maintain and restore a rich biodiversity. We acknowledge the
adverse impacts that human activity can impose and take actions to prevent degradation of our
natural systems, while supporting the repair and recovery of those systems
Australian Business and Management Network
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Purpose
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Environmental Sustainability Policy
ABMN strives to lead the community in the innovation and practice toward a sustainable
environment by:

continuously researching and integrating best practice into all business activities

setting, communicating and achieving leading environmental objectives and targets for all
aspects of the business to continue to reduce natural resource use and to minimise and
prevent adverse environmental impacts

incorporating environmental sustainability principles, awareness and understanding into
everything we do

establishing practices that meet or exceed relevant environmental legislation and
adhering to agreements and standards at local, national and international levels

integrating principles of ecologically sustainable development into all business activities
ABMN recognises its responsibility to practice and promote behaviours that support activities
which contribute to environmental sustainability within the local, national and international
community.
4.1 Legislation
Clean Energy Act 2011 (Commonwealth)
Clean Energy Regulations 2011 (Commonwealth)
Environment Protection Act 1970 (Victoria)
Environment Protection (Prescribed Waste) Regulations 1998 (Victoria)
Environment Protection & Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Commonwealth)
Water Act 1989 (Victoria)
Water (Resource Management) Amendment Regulations 2012 (Victoria)
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Policy Statement
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Environmental Sustainability Policy
4.2 Legislative Obligations
Environmental law1 states that organisations must:

not cause pollution – pollution is the introduction of substances into water, land or the
atmosphere, that will have a detrimental effect on current or future use. Or the substance
could harm the health or welfare of humans, plants or animals. For example, discharge of
wastes or contaminated stormwater from your site.

not create an environmental hazard – such as to humans or the environment caused by
inappropriate storage or handling of toxic, corrosive, flammable, explosive, or infectious
substances. For example, storage of dangerous chemicals or waste products in unsealed
containers beside a stormwater drain or creek is a hazard.

comply with any licence, permit, notice or order from the EPA. For example, failure to
have a monitoring program at a licensed site is a breach of your licence.

not create unreasonable noise or odour that will impact a residential area. For example,
the escape of untreated waste vapours from your site may generate offensive odour, or
your activities might generate noise that affects residents trying to sleep.
In order to meet these environmental legislative requirements ABMN has implemented the
following initiatives/guidance:

Bin there, done that! – a guide to removing waste bins from the office

Green Office Program

Recycling of all organic, plant, paper, glass and plastics

Minimising Landfill initiative
4.3 Compliance with legislation
Breaches of any of the above constitute an offence under the legislation and are punishable by
fines of up to $260,000. All offences will be taken very seriously by the organisation.
Any breaches of these provisions of the legislation must be reported as soon as practicable to
your manager and the WHS Manager at ABMN.
1
Based on guidance from the Victorian Environmental Protection Authority and the Environmental
Protection Act 1970
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Policy Statement
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Environmental Sustainability Policy
4.4 Codes of Practice
There are a no environmental and sustainability codes of practice that relate directly to ABMN.
5. Related documents
Bin there, done that! – a guide to removing waste bins from office
Environment Protection Act 1970
EPA – Your organisation’s environmental responsibility – leadership actions for company
directors and managers
6. Authorisation
Authorised by
Date
Signature
Date for next review
7. Policy History
Version number
Authorised by
Australian Business and Management Network
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Position
Date
Related documents
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Environmental Sustainability Policy
Australian Business and Management Network
Version: 1
Policy History
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