Sustainability Advantage Recognition
Scheme – Bronze Partner application pack
This information pack introduces the Recognition Scheme, and outlines the process for applying
for higher level of recognition, including the information to be supplied and the forms you need to
apply for Bronze Partner status.
Sustainability Advantage Recognition Scheme
The Sustainability Advantage Program is a business support service provided by the Office
of Environment and Heritage (OEH). The Program helps organisations to improve their
environmental performance, reduce costs and add value to their business.
We believe that organisations committed to sustainability and achieving real improvements
deserve to be recognised.
The Sustainability Advantage Recognition Scheme provides public acknowledgement of
your achievements through the Program.
Contents
Guide for applicants ........................................................................................................................... 2
Application .......................................................................................................................................... 5
Member details form ........................................................................................................................... 6
Application – Bronze Partner ................................................................................................ 8
Sustainability Advantage Recognition Scheme
Guide for applicants
Summary of recognition categories and criteria
To be recognised as a Sustainability Advantage Partner, your organisation must demonstrate its
progress towards sustainable practice through:

active participation

leadership and commitment

planning and management systems

engagement and achievement.
Criteria for each recognition level are outlined in the application forms below. Please note that OEH
reserves the right to amend assessment criteria at any time. Download application forms from the
Sustainability Advantage pages on the OEH website: environment.nsw.gov.au/sustainbus
Your organisation needs to describe how it meets the criteria for each
recognition level you are applying for, and provide documentary evidence.
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Which recognition category should I apply for?
By joining Sustainability Advantage, nominating a sustainability champion and obtaining senior management
commitment, your organisation will immediately become a Sustainability Advantage Member and receive a
membership certificate. After actively participating in Sustainability Advantage for at least one year and
demonstrating achievements against each of the sustainability criteria listed below, participants can then
progress through each of the recognition levels, starting with Bronze.
Recognition levels
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How do I apply?
1. Read the criteria for the different recognition levels and assess the types of evidence required to
address the criteria and the conditions of application.
2. Complete your application using the Member details and Partner application forms. Make sure you
include evidence that shows how you met the criteria. You may need to provide one or more
examples for each criterion. Please note that incomplete applications will not be assessed.
3. Send your completed application with supporting documentation to:
Office of Environment and Heritage
Business Partnerships
PO Box 644
Parramatta NSW 2150
Phone: (02) 8837 6000
Fax: (02) 8837 6099
Email: sustainbus@environment.nsw.gov.au
When will I know if I am successful?
Once we have received your application, we will:
 send you an acknowledgement that we have received it
 convene a recognition committee to assess your application. For Bronze and Silver levels, the
recognition committee will comprise two OEH staff members
 notify you of the assessment outcome within six weeks.
If you are successful, you may promote your Sustainability Advantage Partner status and we will send you
the Promotion guidelines. If you are not successful your project officer will notify you of what additional
information is required to be successful.
Successful Partners will be invited to:
1. attend the next Partner recognition event (additional information may be requested at this time)
2. participate in case studies and other promotional events for new members
3. use their Partner status to raise awareness of their organisation’s sustainability achievements.
When can I apply?
You can apply at any time, provided you have been actively participating in the Sustainability Advantage
Program for the specified period.
Only current projects, or those completed in the past 12 months, can be used to justify your application.
How long will my recognition status last?
Bronze and Silver Partners do not have to re-apply to maintain their status.
Gold and Platinum Partners need to reapply three years after receiving recognition at that level. This will
allow Partners to demonstrate they are maintaining their commitment to the sustainability of their
organisation and their industry. Gold and Platinum Partners who choose not to reapply at their current
level after three years will revert to Silver status.
Can I apply for achievements in my division/region?
Yes. Your business unit, division or site can apply on behalf of your organisation. OEH allows only one
application per organisation. Your application is for whichever entity is participating in Sustainability
Advantage.
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Sustainability Advantage Recognition Scheme
Application
The application comprises two forms:

Member details form with all necessary signatures

Application form addressing each of the criteria and including examples of the type of
supporting evidence needed.
Before sending your application, please make sure you have filled out all the required details. Incomplete
applications will not be assessed and will be returned.
List of attachments
Please list the additional documents you have attached as evidence to this application.
Document name
Sustainability Advantage Recognition Scheme Bronze Partner application pack
Related criteria
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Member details form – Bronze Partner
Organisation and contact name
Organisation name
Name to appear on certificate
(if different from above)
ABN
Contact for application
Title
(Mr/ Mrs/ Ms/ Miss/ Dr/ other)
First name
Last name
Position title
Email
Phone
Sustainability Advantage Champion name
Organisation location
Building level
Street number
Street name
Street type
Suburb/town
Phone number
Postcode
Fax number
Organisation profile
1. Describe your organisation (no more than 100 words)
2. Number of employees in NSW
3. Turnover in last financial year (to nearest $10,000)
Application Declaration
I confirm that
1. This Organisation is actively participating in the Sustainability Advantage Program.
2. I have read the Guide for applicants and I agree to the following terms detailed below.
a. I accept this application will become the property of OEH, which will treat all information
as strictly confidential.
b. Subject to obtaining my permission, the information provided in this application might be
used by OEH to develop best practice case studies to promote the Sustainability
Advantage Program.
c. Photographs provided have appropriate licensing and, subject to obtaining my
permission, may be used to promote the Sustainability Advantage Program.
d. OEH and/or the assessment panel reserves the right to ask further questions to clarify the
content of my application and request documentary evidence in support of this
application.
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3. The information in the application is true and correct.
Applicant’s signature
Date (dd/mm/yy)
/
/
Send your completed application to:
Office of Environment and Heritage
Business Partnerships team
PO Box 644
Parramatta NSW 2150
Phone: (02) 8837 6000
Fax: (02) 8837 6099
Email: sustainbus@environment.nsw.gov.au
Website: environment.nsw.gov.au/sustainbus
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Sustainability Advantage Recognition Scheme
Application – Bronze Partner
Organisation:
On this form, address and provide support for each criterion B1–B8.
For each assessment criteria, please describe and provide specific examples of how your organisation,
projects or staff are meeting the criteria. For examples of evidence please see the ‘Partner and
application guide.’
Evidence
Criteria*
Active
participation
In this section,
demonstrate how
you actively
participated in
Sustainability
Advantage since
joining.
Leadership and
commitment
Please describe and provide specific examples of how
your organisation is meeting each of the criteria.
B1
You have:

been a member of Sustainability
Advantage for at least 12 months

completed the Sustainability
Management diagnostic session

completed at least two
Sustainability Advantage modules
and implemented main actions
identified through each module

participated in cluster meetings.
B2

In this section,
demonstrate how
your senior
management is
committed to
improving the
sustainability of
your organisation.
You have developed a business
case for improving sustainability
performance that identifies
necessary resources and is
supported by senior management.
(CEO/Executive Management or, if
you are applying at a division or
site level, support from the highest
level of your site or division is
needed.)
B3

You have outlined a sustainability
vision or policy that sets long-term
sustainability goals.
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B4

Planning and
management
systems
In this section,
demonstrate how
your organisation
plans for
sustainability and
measures,
monitors and
reports on
achievements.
You have developed a
sustainability strategic plan with
quantitative targets and priority
actions.
B5
You have:

started to collate resource use
data, including costs and quantities,
using the OEH Resource Tracker**
or equivalent. For Bronze level,
minimum data needed includes
quantity and cost of electricity and
one other resource category e.g.
gas, water, waste

used data to set sustainability
targets.
B6

You have developed Key
Performance Indicators (KPIs) for
resource efficiency and other areas
of sustainability performance using
the OEH Resource Tracker or
equivalent.

This includes allocating resources
and putting in place management
systems to monitor resource use on
an on-going basis.
Engagement
B7
In this section,
demonstrate the
measurable
results of how
partnerships were
developed and
internal and
external
stakeholders
engaged to
achieve
sustainability
outcomes.

You have started engaging staff on
sustainability issues.
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Achievement
B8
In this section,
demonstrate the
quantitative and
tangible results
and benefits of
your sustainability
projects. In your
description,
provide
performance
improvement
data.

Through implementing
sustainability projects, you have
achieved measurable reduction in
resource use and identified other
efficiency improvements and

you have identified changes in work
practices that have delivered (or
are likely to deliver) sustainability
improvements.
*OEH reserves the right to amend assessment criteria at any time.
** For a copy of the Resource Tracker please email sustainbus@environment.nsw.gov.au
Office of Environment and Heritage, Department of Premier and Cabinet, 59 Goulburn Street Sydney NSW 2000. PO Box A290, Sydney
South NSW 1232. Phone (02) 9995 5000 Fax (02) 9995 5999 Email sustainbus@environment.nsw.gov.au www.environment.nsw.gov.au
October 2011
OEH 2011/0585
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