Guideline Brief: Knowledge & Skills For Sustainability

Guideline Brief
Knowledge & Skills for Sustainability
Prepared by the National Centre for Sustainability @ Swinburne

Funded by Sustainability Victoria
October 2006
[CPSISC SUSTAINABILITY GUIDELINE BRIEF]
Sustainability Victoria has provided funding support towards Knowledge and Skills for Sustainability
National Centre for Sustainability (NCS) at Swinburne University of Technology Acknowledgments

Sustainability Victoria
Construction and Property Industry Skills Council (CPSISC)
CPSISC Expert Reference Group 2006
Format and photos contributed by Helena Jurisevic
NCS support staff
Primary Author
Tomi Winfree
KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS FOR SUSTAINABILITY PHASE II

SUSTAINABILITY VICTORIA & THE NATIONAL CENTRE FOR SUSTAINABILITY 2
Table of Contents
Preface 4
Icon Key 4
Executive Summary 5
1. Introduction 6
1.1 Layout of guideline brief 6
1.2 Purpose of guideline brief 7
1.3 Development and training support 8
1.4 Sustainability principles 9
1.4.1 Achieving sustainability 10
1.4.2 Training opportunities 11
2. The Business Edge 14

2.1 Return on investment 15
2.1.1 Stakeholder benefits 17
3. Sustainability in Industry 19
3.1 The Issues 20
3.2 Opportunities 21
3.3 Industry sectors within CPSISC 23
3.3.1 Property development & management 24
3.3.2 General construction trades & services 25
3.3.3 Off-site construction trades & services 27
3.3.4 Plumbing services 29
3.3.5 Asset maintenance & security 30
4. Resources 32
4.1 Construction Services 32
4.2 Property Services 33
4.3 Business Resources 35
4.4 Government 37
4.5 Environmental Sustainability 37
4.6 Social Sustainability 38
4.7 Training Resources & Tools 38
General Terminology 41
Summary of Tables
Figure 1 Structure of Guideline Brief 7
Table 1 AIRES Progressive stages in corporate sustainability 11
Figure 2 Property Council of Australia continual improvement cycle 11
Table 2 Training for sustainability 11
Table 3 Business drivers 14
Table 4 Industry sustainability drivers 15
Table 5 Estimated return of training investment 18
Table 6 Product life cycle 22
Graph 1 EPA life cycle impacts 23

Preface
This Guideline Brief is a generic (non-exhaustive) overview of sustainability approaches. The brief is designed
to encourage participation in sustainable practices, implementation, monitoring, and development of policies
within business systems, in an effort to prevent or reduce our impact on our environments. This publication
does not seek to focus solely on nor alter compliance responsibilities at the national or state levels. [Please
refer to legislation and compliance set forth by government regulations, such as state Environmental
Protection Agencies or equivalents (Environmental Protection Act), The Department of the Environment and
Heritage or safety procedures outlined in the Occupational Health and Safety Act]. Due to sustainability
initiatives evolving rapidly, interpretations and enforcement policy may change over time. Please seek the
current compliance requirements from your specific state, territory, and/or international or commonwealth
levels of government for current sustainability regulations. Various case studies have been used throughout
this document to highlight sustainable approaches to conducting business, but we do not endorse any past,
present, or future activities of these businesses in part or whole. This publication may be reproduced,
although suitable acknowledgement is required.
Icon Key
Icon Key
Case Study

Sustainability Victoria & the National Centre for Sustainability @ Swinburne

Sustainability Guideline Brief
Knowledge & Skills for Sustainability | October 2006
Executive Summary
This Guideline Brief has been written to assist with the uptake and customisation of any of the three new
Guideline Competency Standards for Sustainability (GCSS) within the training packages covered by the
Construction and Property Services Industry Skills Council (CPSISC).
The guideline standards being:
GCSSUS01A “Participate in environmentally sustainable work practices“

GCSSUS02A “Implement and monitor environmentally sustainable work practices”
GCSSUS03A “Develop workplace policy and procedures for sustainability”
This Guideline Brief aims to provide CPSISC and the range of consultants, training providers, customers and
other stakeholders involved in developing and delivering CPSISC Training Packages (TPs) with an overview of
the core elements and specific examples of sustainability in relation to the various sectors, including training
opportunities. It also provides guidance on some of the available resources for training and assessment of
workers in the construction and property sectors.
Once the units are taken up and customised within CPSISC training packages, they can be contextualised for
specific training needs across the industry. CPSISC is currently supporting the Guideline Competency
Standards for Sustainability for endorsement in a number of TPs managed by them in 2007.
Given that the Guideline Competency Standards for Sustainability have been produced, it has been noted that
some industries have gone to considerable lengths to develop their own industry specific units and there is
no intention to duplicate that work. The intent is to develop a consistent approach to sustainability training
across the sectors to offer industry minimum standards using current resources or filling gaps in training to
develop consistent language, skills and knowledge for industry training.
This brief is written as part of a larger project which aims to build the capacity of Australia’s work force to
influence participation, implementation, monitoring and the development of policies and procedures for
resource efficiency and sustainability through support from Sustainability Victoria.
The sustainability driver is:
“To build the capacity of the workforce that results in behaviour change toward more
sustainable business systems, business practices and business thinking.”
By adopting sustainability approaches and techniques, businesses can be better positioned to support
stakeholders and the environment through day to day business processes and practices, without affecting the
overall business products or services and retaining and even increasing profits.

1. Introduction
This Guideline Brief (further referred to as ‘brief’) has been written as a contribution to achieving a joint vision
to raise sustainability (environmental, social and economic balance) awareness through the capacity building
of individuals in the construction and property sectors. In particular, we aim to increase the understanding
of ‘resource efficiency and sustainability’ knowledge and skills through the use of the national Guideline
Competency Standards for Sustainability (GCSS) in training.
This brief targets the national training packages managed by the Construction and Property Services Industry
Skills Council (CPSISC). The guideline standards for sustainability being:
GCSSUS01A “Participate in environmentally sustainable work practices“

GCSSUS02A “Implement and monitor environmentally sustainable work practices”
GCSSUS03A “Develop workplace policy and procedures for sustainability”
The GCSS are currently noted by the National Training Quality Council, though are only available as accredited
training competencies when they are taken up and integrated into training packages (TPs). They are currently
available to import and customise into any industry training package requiring these units of competency to
support sustainability training. Please contact the CPSISC for further information regarding this process,
including future support for endorsement of units where training gaps exist. Please note not all GCSS are
relevant to each industry sector, therefore not all of them will need to be included in industry TPs. TPs should
be reviewed to assess current industry training needs.
To fill a current training gap and support national consistency, these GCSS will help establish minimum
standards in sustainability training and contribute to sustainable business systems, practices and thinking at
all levels of government, industry and the community. Use of the GCSS avoids duplication of effort in
developing standards that deliver similar outcomes.
1.1 Layout of guideline brief
This brief consisting of four sections as follows:

1. Introduction: Includes purpose, target audience and advice on
using the GCSS.
2. The Business Edge: Includes examples and terminology
including the business case for sustainability, return on
investment, stakeholders and an overview of sustainability
issues and practical advice regarding use of the GCSS in
business.
3. Integrating sustainability into industry: Reviews the industry
sectors managed by CPSISC, including an introduction, training
opportunities, case studies and further information specific to
sectors to assist in making the units and resource efficiency real
for the industry sector. This includes passing the knowledge and
skills on products and techniques to customers through
recommendations.
4. Resources: A useful reference section, including key contacts
and resources including each sector, business, government,
environment and tools for training support.

1: Introduction to Guideline Brief
2: The Business Edge
3: Sustainability in Industry
CPSISC Guideline Brief • Property Development & Management

• General Construction Trades & Services
• Off-site Construction Trades & Services
• Plumbing Services
• Asset Maintenance & Security
4: Resources
Figure 1: Structure of Guideline Brief
1.2 Purpose of guideline brief
The intention of this brief is to encourage the uptake and customisation of the three Guideline Competency
Standards for Sustainability within proposed CPSISC industry sectors (see diagram above) and offer the ‘why’
and ‘how’ to influence future endorsed customised units of competency into qualifications and training
delivery. This brief can be utilised to:
• promote the integration of national sustainability training into specific areas of industry, by assisting
with decisions to take up and customise one or more of the guideline standards within a training
package and build on them;
• assist with determining skill clusters for qualifications; and
• provide guidance on resources to develop training materials.
Target audience
The target audience for this brief are individuals developing, delivering or implementing the CPSISC Training
Packages, including:
• Construction and Property Services industries

• CPSISC
• Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) (e.g. TAFE or tertiary
institutions, private training providers and industry
organisations)
• a range of consultants
• customers; and
• associated stakeholders.
The brief will provide an overview of the core elements and specific examples of sustainability in relation to
the various construction and property sectors. The information provided can be viewed as a standard or
benchmark for sustainability training to be modified to suit the needs of the particular industry over time. The
audience is encouraged to use the units as a standard for their own delivery in the area of environmental
sustainability and to refer to the support materials to be produced in a future related project.

1.3 Development and training support
These Guideline Competency Standards focus on resource management and sustainability. The developers of
the GCSS have endeavoured to produce guideline units focused mostly on environmental sustainability,
although still retaining the potential to be contextualised for the social and economic aspects of sustainability.
To view the three GCSS, please visit the National Centre for Sustainability @ Swinburne University
www.swinburne.edu.au/ncs or directly
www.swinburne.edu.au/ncs/researchprojects/knowledge/Guideline_Standards_for_Sustainability.pdf
The availability of Guideline Competencies provides and supports RTOs and/or State or Territory Course
Accrediting Bodies in the contextualisation of the competencies to reflect industry-specific needs. The
delivery strategy is a vertically integrated one to ideally be used for training the three main levels of the
workforce:
• “Participate in environmentally sustainable work practices“

Operator (Certificate II - III): GCSSUS01A
• “Implement and monitor environmentally sustainable work practices”
Supervisor (Certificate IV): GCSSUS02A
• “Develop workplace policy and procedures for sustainability”
Manager or Executive (Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Graduate Certificate): GCSSUS03A.
The above units can be delivered on-site or off-site, in the workplace or in formal classroom, through
workshops, distance learning or a combination of these. Each unit has been written as a stand-alone unit,
meaning that a small business that does not contain the hierarchy of staffing inferred above could choose any
units relevant to its context and modify it to suit their particular needs. For example, training around
implementing and monitoring sustainability would begin with a review of current work practices to assess
needs to support resource efficiency and reduce resource use potentially leading to reduced costs.
In addition, developers are encouraged to apply these sustainability concepts to other units of competency in
an effort to offer parallel or complementary training. By doing so, it allows for more than one competency to
be delivered and assessed concurrently. Please take the time to review the GCSS (keeping in mind your
particular area of industry) to fully understand how to apply the concepts
Note: It is possible to contextualise the sustainability units to focus on one or more aspect of sustainability,
thus applying concepts from particular aspects or more broadly to include a combination of economic,
environmental and/or social aspects.

1.4 Sustainability principles
‘Although our social and economic systems are dependent on the sustainability of our ecosystems, our
ecosystems are dependent on the successful sustainability of our society and economy.’
This brief continues to offer practical examples around sustainability principles by providing examples, case
studies, and tools to support these benefits to incorporate principles into practices, management values,
procedures and policies. One such example is provided by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (USA)
Environmentally Preferable Products Procurement Program which outlines sustainable business. They state
that a sustainable business is one which conducts “business and commerce in a resource conservative and
resource efficient manner such that operations do not compromise the ability of future generations to meet
their own needs. The essential elements of this trend are:
• the promotion and maintenance of business and community development strategies…
• a better business environment in the future…
• healthful communities within a clean,
• safe environment,…[and]
• long range [drivers].”1
Overall, sustainability is a broad concept that includes a balance of three objectives - environmental, social
(cultural), and economic. By applying sustainability principles to refurbished and new developments for either
commercial or domestic properties, we can achieve a more balance future to support stakeholders health and
wellbeing from design to occupancy, reduce or negate environmental impacts, support building efficiency to
reduce costs through an initial investment and receive short to long term returns. The framework we need
to support includes the following stages:
1. Initial project planning including representation from each stakeholder to analyse efficiency as a whole
system approach, potential savings, return on investment and payback period
2. Resource identification based on environmental and health benefits to stakeholders and costing
3. Energy, water and waste system design for new developments or energy, water, waste and emission
audit of existing building
a. Energy should include mechanical system design and operations, including efficiency and
harnessing waste or excess energy
b. Water should include whole systems, fixtures, drainage, and irrigation,
c. Waste reduction or avoidance includes grey and black water recycling or treatment systems
d. Reduction of emissions or capture to re-use
4. Project Management to support implementation, monitoring and communication flow to stakeholders
1 The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Environmentally Preferable Products Procurement Program, ‘Massachusetts EPP Glossary of Terms’
http://www.mass.gov/epp/info/define.htm [July 2006]
CH2 building images courtesy of the City of Melbourne website http://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/info.cfm?top=171&pg=1933
5. Occupancy (selling, buying and leasing) to support consumer education and marketing
6. Building Maintenance to support integrated systems maintenance and efficiency
7. Asset security to protect and gain additional capital investments
One of the most commonly used definitions is from a 1987 report called ‘Our Common Future’. The United
Nations Report (later known as the Bruntland Report after the commission's chairwoman, Gro Harlem
Brundtland) states that sustainability is "development which meets the needs of the present without
compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs".
Resource efficiency is demonstrated visually below:
REDUCED ENVIRONMENTAL
REDUCED INPUTS = & SOCIAL IMPACTS
Same or Increased
• Reduced Energy or use of Renewable Energy = Outputs
Energy
Reduced Greenhouse Gas Emissions of Products and/or
Water • Water wise = Using less water or re-using water Services =
Materials • Material & Human Efficiency = Less waste (including
Human Energy REDUCED COSTS
toxic waste) & increased human productivity, health
and safety
1.4.1 Achieving sustainability
A common term linking sustainability to business is triple bottom line, which means creating a balance
between environmental, community (social) and business objectives (refer to 4. General Terminology for a
further explanation). Business currently has an opportunity to develop and measure success on not just profit
(economy), but environmental and social impacts using a triple bottom line approach to overall management.
Integrating sustainability in Australia involves working with all levels of community, government and industry
to understand the many facets of sustainability and gain the knowledge and skills to contribute. This includes
learning what sustainability is and how each of us can become capable of contributing to it. The introduction
of sustainability standards is a critical step in establishing a framework to assist training at the vocational
level. This implementation and practice in industry will be significant contribution to building knowledge and
skills for a sustainable Australia.
In 2005 the Australian Research Institute in Education for Sustainability (ARIES), based at Macquarie
University, Sydney, reviewed national business and industry environmental education. This review resulted in
the following outline for the typical stages in the shift toward environmental sustainability.

Table 1: ARIES Progressive stages in corporate sustainability 2
Sustainability - The various levels of alignment with sustainability can be mapped out as follows:
1. Compliance – environmental considerations only of concern if obliged by law.
2. Performance - improved environmental management leads to greater resource efficiency and reduced costs.
3. Stewardship - extended producer responsibility for product impacts; sustainability perceived in terms
of benefit to long-term shareholder prospects and continued license to operate.
4. Social responsibility - management seek to establish culture that is committed to meeting

stakeholders interests and needs (not just shareholders); profit is the goal, but not at any cost.
5. Learning organisation - stakeholders in the business develop capacity to reflect on their roles in
achieving sustainability and are actively involved in decision-making and change for sustainability.
The Property Council of Australia supports

the following cycle for continual improvement
of sustainable operations for business.
Figure 2:
Property Council of Australia
continual improvement cycle3
1.4.2 Training opportunities
The training opportunities in this sector are based on the three levels of the Guideline Competency Standards
for Sustainability outlined below in Table 2: Training for Sustainability.
Table 2: Training for sustainability
Sustainability Training Units Target Areas
• Minimum training standards for understanding and awareness of

sustainability to support industry, government and community
trends in the construction and property sectors
• Increase production of skilled workers through sustainability training
and professional development of all new and existing employees
GCSSUS01A “Participate in
• Support environmental compliance in industry
environmentally sustainable
work practices“ • Reduce costs through employee participation in resource efficiency and
waste management systems including water & energy (emissions)
• Reduce insurance by minimising environmental hazards
• Identifying future opportunities for sustainable business practices
• Understand emerging technologies
2 Tilbury, D., Adams, K. and Keogh, A. (2005) A National Review of Environmental Education and its Contribution to Sustainability in Australia: Business and
Industry Education - Key Findings. Canberra: Australian Government Department of the Environment and Heritage and Australian Research Institute in
Education for Sustainability (ARIES) http://www.aries.mq.edu.au/pdf/Volume4_brochure.pdf [September 2006]
3 Property Council of Australia, Commercial Building EMS http://www.propertyoz.com.au/vic/EMS/background.html [November 2006]

• Use tools to supporting a continuous improvement system

• Assist with the successful implementation of sustainable policies and procedures
• Support behaviour change techniques to encourage employee participation
• Compliance with regulations by using environmental site/facilities
management plans for development and maintenance
• Purchase sustainable materials and products
• Improve indoor environmental (air) quality
• Minimise or eliminate use of hazardous materials to support workers health
• Minimise and report risk to reduce insurance costs
• Support resource efficiency and waste management systems (e.g. life cycle
thinking) to reduce business costs
• Maximising opportunities (e.g. water, energy, and resource use) through
GCSSUS02A implementation of new opportunities
“Implement and
• Make recommendations to customers to communicate savings and benefits of
monitor
‘high performance’ buildings, appliances, and products
environmentally
sustainable work • Outline sustainability criteria, options, and benefits (short and long term gains)
practices” for products and services in quote and tender requests
• Integrate environmental/sustainability specifications in quotes and tenders
outlining sustainability approaches and techniques for work to be carried out
by developers, builders, trades and sub-contractors to meet sustainability
criteria requested
• Increase knowledge of emerging technologies
• Communicate current environmental status of the property and sustainability
over time for real estate and property brokering through:
o property appraisals
o managing finances
o risk management
o consumer education on the benefits and savings for potential
owners and tenants
o integrate consumer benefits, including long and short term
gains into contractual agreements
• Strategic management to integrate sustainability at any level of an

organisational structure, such as
o accountability and transparency with stakeholders

o purchasing
GCSSUS03A “Develop o company practices (policies and procedures)
workplace policy and o continuous improvement plans for implementation and
procedures for monitoring to maintain efficiency over time
sustainability” o employee health and well-being
o whole systems approach to environmental management
o tender request or quotes outlining sustainability criteria
• Reward participants for participation in continuous improvements

• Create policies and procedures to ensure environmental management

compliance and monitoring through the use of an Environmental
Management System (ISO 14001)
• Understand and integrate Triple Bottom Line (TBL) accounting
• Increase indoor environmental (air) quality for workers and future occupants
• Promotion of sustainability initiatives to increase image and build a reputation
o marketing for consumer education to buyers/leasers
o global competition to market property to international buyers
and leasers
o communication on savings and benefits of ‘high performance’
buildings, appliances, products and waste management
• Support a continuous flow of communication internally and externally with
stakeholders
• Invest and secure assets through sustainable risk management
Integrating sustainability in construction and property
Many key areas exist in construction and property businesses which could be enhanced by sustainability
training to support the current market to contribute to business success. The example positions below can be
reviewed through a strategic sustainability management plan by a company or in the initial stages of a project
to highlight some of the benefits for a whole systems approach to sustainability.
Positions in construction and property:

• Project Managers: Implementation and monitoring
of internal stakeholders and reporting on
compliance and environmental management (e.g.
ISO 14001 – Environmental Management System)
• Contractors and sub-contractors (development and
maintenance): Those involved in development or
ongoing maintenance and operations, such as
carpenters, bricklayers, concreters, demolition,
painters, plumbers and irrigation, cleaners or waste
management
• Accounting: Triple Bottom Line accounting on
economic, environmental and social parameters
• Asset Management for Risk Compliance and
Insurance: Reduced environmental & social risks by addressing them and reporting to reduce costs and
life cycle planning and costing
• Governance: Strong organisational structures, accountability and transparency
• Strategic Management: Reducing business costs through resource efficiency, waste management and
whole systems approach, such as life cycle planning, design, costing and management
• Purchasing: Green purchasing for health and safety
• Asset security and Insurance: To protect capital, investments and workers safety
• Marketing & Advertising: Increase brand image and build reputation
• Human Resources or Industry Associations: Sustainability training and professional development

2. The Business Edge

The Construction and Property Services sector has recently witnessed an increased awareness of stakeholder
concerns due to public pressure for industry to combat climate change. The Age recently released an article
stating “CLIMATE change could push the world into the worst recession since the Great Depression of the
1930s, with many countries facing economic ruin…The report, written by former World Bank chief economist
Sir Nicholas Stern and commissioned by the British Treasury, seeks to overturn conventional wisdom by
insisting that fighting climate change will save, not cost, governments money…Britain's chief scientist, Sir
David King, told The Guardian the report indicated ‘that if we don't take global action … we will be faced with
the kind of downturn that has not been seen since the Great Depression and the two world wars’.”4
Business can benefit greatly from responding to consumer demands, as well as supporting capacity building
in communities. Ultimately, this support can lead to a successful long term future, more positive stakeholder
relationships, ongoing access to renewable resources and a more competitive advantage in the market.
The table below gives a comparison between traditional business drivers and sustainable business drivers to
demonstrate similarities in the scope of benefits.
Table 3: Business drivers
Traditional Business = Economic Bottom Line Sustainable Business = triple bottom line
Financial performance drivers Economic policy drivers
• Increase profits • Increase profits
• Efficient operations • Efficient operations
• Access to capital and investment • Access to capital and investment
• External shareholders • Engage and value internal and external
stakeholders
Business drivers
• Competitive advantage
• Attracting customers
• Innovative design and production
• Reputation
• Increased worker productivity
• Risk
• Human and intellectual resources Social reputation drivers
• Innovative design and production • Accountability to shareholders
• License to operate • Human resources & suitable work conditions
• Human rights
• Supporting the community
• Social license to operate
• Reputation and brand image to attract
customers
Environmental drivers
• Increasing costs due to the decline in
availability of non-renewable resources
• Increased costs due to climate change and
increased occurrence of natural disasters
leading to additional risks and rising
insurance costs
• Increased demand for healthy and safe work
and community environments
The SustainAbility think tank, established in 1987 and based in Europe and the United States of America (USA),
is an international independent think tank which advocates profitable business must be socially and
environmentally responsible, but further that social and environmental innovation is the key to new market
opportunities of the future.5 These drivers and opportunities have highlighted areas in which industry can
capitalise on to contribute to business, community and environmental success. Next we will outline the return
on the business investment resulting from sustainability training and implementation.
4 The Age ‘Climate an economic time bomb’, James Button, Jewel Topsfield and Katharine Murphy October 27, 2006
http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2006/10/26/1161749253919.html [October 2006]
5 SustainAbility Think Tank, ‘Overview’, http://www.sustainability.com/news-media/overview.asp [July 2006]

2.1 Return on investment
In order to receive a positive and high return on sustainability investments, the initiatives should be
incorporated at the initial project stage in development. At the initial stage, all stakeholders need to be
involved in the consultation and design. Design needs to reflect efficient building operations and all
stakeholders involved need to understand that the sustainability case must embody sound business principles
just like any other business initiative. “Research has shown that opportunities for cost effective inclusion of
sustainable features decline exponentially throughout the design process. Up to 90 percent of critical
decisions are made before tender stage. This includes waste minimisation.” 6
The following are examples of the demand for incorporating sustainability into industry:
Table 4: Industry sustainability drivers
Purchasing sustainable building products encourages suppliers to be

sustainable when sourcing materials, products and services for
Sustainable buildings development or management of properties. Consideration should be
given based on production, environmental qualities and health and
safety in both the short and long term.
Consumers are becoming more conscientious about environmental

Reputation and stakeholder
sustainability, health and social impacts of products, buildings and
engagement
services purchased.
Due to the general decline in availability of non-renewable resources,

Reduced costs such as steel, oils and fuel in particular, this has resulted in increased
operational costs.
Sustainability approaches can support risk management and avoidance

Risk and insurance
leading to a reduction in insurance costs.
Reduced costs can lead to an increase in access to capital or a potential

Investment opportunities increase in investment opportunities for innovative property and
services.
Due to increasing competition in the local, regional and global markets

Competitive Advantage
sustainability can open up a new market area for business.
Sustainable building design and operations can lead to an increase in

Increased Productivity
productivity an occupant satisfaction.
Sustainability can address targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

Climate change
to avoid increasing operational costs in the future.
6 HOME Technical Manual Factsheets, Materials Use 3.2 Waste Minimisation http://www.greenhouse.gov.au/yourhome/technical/fs32.htm#design [October 2006

Investment in resource efficiency has the potential to deliver many benefits to a business in the short and long
term. Some examples of the return on investment for sustainability and resource efficiency training include:
• Increased efficiency and productivity • Business edge in preparation of future

compliance
• Reduced operational costs
• Contribution to national consistency through
• Risk management & reduced insurance
harmonising industry training
• Increased market advantage/share (sales)
• Local and global leadership supporting
• Increase shareholder value sustainable communities
• Internal and external stakeholder loyalty • Positive brand image & reputation (possibly
free publicity for best practice)
• Increased external and internal stakeholder
health and safety
Research has identified that the initial costs of sustainable buildings do not outweigh the return
on investment. In 2004, Davis Langdon Adamson, a construction and management company in the
USA, revealed the initial construction costs for sustainable buildings matched or only marginally
exceeded the costs of comparable conventional buildings. This particular study compared 61
buildings seeking Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification in the USA
to 61 randomly selected but comparable conventional buildings. The abbreviated and full reports links are
located on the following links:
'Examining the Cost of Green' - Abbreviated Version (modified October 2004)

http://davislangdon-usa.com/Attachment%20Files/Research/The%20full%20report.pdf
'Costing Green: A Comprehensive Cost Database and Budgeting Methodology' (published July 2004)
http://davislangdon-usa.com/Attachment%20Files/Research/costinggreen.pdf
Dollars and Sense of Green Buildings 2006: Building the Business Case for Green Commercial
Buildings in Australia
Green Building Council of Australia & AusIndustry and Victorian Building Commission
http://www.gbcaus.org/gbc.asp?sectionid=15&docid=1002#a
This report focuses on Australian examples outlining the business case for green buildings in Australia. It
identifies barriers to uptake of green building principles and practices and addresses them through a range
of actions.
The report states, “according to analysis of international and Australian data, the Report finds that green
buildings deliver lower annual operating costs and more efficient asset management. Local case studies
demonstrate a 60% reduction in water and energy consumption which can reduce annual operating costs from
$120 per sqm to $60 per sqm.
There is also evidence that green buildings deliver:

1. increased occupant productivity (1 - 25% increase) & well being;
2. less staff churn;
3. higher relative investment returns (minimum 14% ROI);
4. a marketing advantage (free promotion);
5. higher market value for asset (10% increase);
6. higher rents (5 -10% increase); and
7. a range of other benefits.”7
7 Dollars and Sense of Green Buildings 2006: Building the Business Case for Green Commercial Buildings in Australia, Green Building Council of Australia,
http://www.gbcaus.org/gbc.asp?sectionid=15&docid=1002#a [October 2006].

2.1.1 Stakeholder Benefits
Business stakeholders should be included in all stages of planning and operations given they have much to
offer. They can be especially helpful in the development of the big picture planning such as design, selection
of construction materials, building operation efficiency and maintenance, occupant needs and corporate
responsibility. These can typically be divided into internal and external stakeholders.
Internal stakeholders
Internal stakeholders and business have the opportunity to benefit from training and professional
development to support and encourage the uptake of sustainability approaches resulting in a return on
investment. Every business, from individuals to small business and national and multinational companies,
can achieve improved performance through employee training.
Research carried out by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) with support from
Australian National Training Authority, ‘Return on investment in training’ 2001, “shows that productivity
increases while training takes place. Staff who receive formal training can be 230 per cent more productive
than untrained colleagues in the same role. High labour productivity increases business output and can open
a greater share of the market or expand it by improving products, services and reputations.”8
Return on Training Investment
The NCVER research results in Table 5 quantify the four improvement areas as follows:
• Staff retention
• Improved quality and productivity
• The flow-on effect through to all levels of an organisation
• Staying competitive
In addition, NCVER research provides case studies of the return on investment for businesses from training
in various industries and sizes, including the positive impacts as outlined in the table below. "The evaluation
procedure adopted for the case studies presented ...and advocated for other organisations …involves
collecting data, comparing the data pre- and post-training, using multivariate analysis to identify the
contributions of training and finally determining the impact of training on the 'bottom line'."9
8 Smith A., 2001, Return on Investment in Training: Research Readings, NCVER, PDF [May 2006]
9 National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) with support from Australian National Training Authority ‘Return on investment in training’, p. 73,
76-77, 2001, Editor Andrew Smith http://www.ncver.edu.au/research/proj/nr1002.pdf [May 2006]

Table 5: Estimated return of training investment
Case Study Industry Employees Positive Impact Estimated ROI%

Organisation of Training
Goal Setting/Time
ANZDL Transport/ Freight 300 323
Management
Franklins Retail 27,900 Induction Costs 1000
Huntsman Safety/ Workcover

Manufacturing 400 1277
Chemical Premiums
Kodak Manufacturing 2,000 Productivity 256
Mission Australia Charity 2,200 Staff Turnover 7125
Sales/ Staff
Target Retail 23,000 980
Turnover
Fuel Usage, Time

Queensland Rail Transport 14,800 30
and Train Handling
One of the top environmental issues involving internal stakeholders is the indoor quality of work and home
environments. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) investigators, based in the
USA, found Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) problems are “caused by ventilation system deficiencies,
overcrowding, off gassing from materials in the office and mechanical equipment, tobacco smoke,
microbiological contamination, and outside air pollutants.10 “Air quality alone is linked to productivity
improvements of 4 – 10% in buildings.11” The Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) for Construction Innovation
[established 2001, Queensland University of Technology] is currently developing a model for estimating indoor
air quality in Australian commercial buildings.12
Developers, builders, property managers, asset maintenance and security sectors and others can all
contribute to indoor environmental quality. Management of these problems not only improves the workplace,
but also builds business knowledge and skills in environmental management.
External stakeholders
External stakeholders can be consulted to reduce project costs and contribute to new or refurbished green
buildings, property brokering, asset security, management and maintenance. Design and planning an
integrated systems approach should incorporate uses for waste and by-products from other areas, occupant
needs, future flexibility planning, maintenance and operational opportunities, security and asset
management. The planning should also encompass recommendations to consumers on sustainable products
and systems.
In order for the design to meet the final outcome, all individuals involved must be trained and skilled in the
necessary areas to support each stage of the process. This should be included at the initial stages of design
to support integration of joint system approaches and keep costs to a minimum during development and
longer term operations. Ideally, representatives from each area will convene at the initial project stage to plan
the project including the design and material selection.
10 NIOSH Fact sheets Indoor Environmental Quality, 1997 http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/ieqfs.html [October 2006]
11 Centre for Design, ‘Sustainable Materials’ and Kats, G. et al., The Costs and Financial Benefits of Green Buildings: A Report to California's Sustainable
Building Task Force, No. 2003 http://www.cfd.rmit.edu.au/programs/sustainable_materials [October 2006]
12 Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) for Construction Innovation ‘Program B – Sustainable Built Assets – Indoor Environments’ http://www.construction-
innovation.info/index.php?action=article&id=799 [October 2006]

The list below offers an overview of individuals which would ideally be included at the various stages of a
project.
• Designers - architects, building designers, draftsmen, interior designers, landscape architects or designers
• Engineers – structural, mechanical, civic, chemical, electrical, environmental, systems, and
transportation
• Suppliers – sourcing and purchasing sustainable products and materials
• Developers – project managers, builders, site managers, trades people
• Occupants – property or building owners, tenants, including facility/operation managers (including fleet
managers)
• Contractors and Services – involved in the development or ongoing maintenance and operations, such
as carpenters, bricklayers, concreters, demolition, painters, plumbers and irrigation, cleaners or waste
management waste management, cleaners, service technicians for maintenance, and other trades
people and sub-contracting services
• Governing bodies - Government agencies, utilities, authorities and regulators
• Community – risk management including consumer education through offering sustainable products
and services with the benefits outlined for internal and external stakeholders, especially focusing on
health, safety and the environment
Sustainability principles encourage support and engagement with stakeholders to develop community
contributions, establish a positive workplace and support business growth.
3. Sustainability in Industry
The construction and property industries comply with government
regulations for property standards and these standards are typically
determined by community and consumer needs and shaped by market
demand. As many have recently witnessed, sustainability is a hot topic
in the media and is sweeping the nation as a matter of concern. Now
is therefore the ideal time to invest in our future, and gain the business
edge through industry training in sustainability concepts and
techniques at all levels of the workforce.
In the past, ad hoc training has typically been developed as regulations
change. The Guideline Competency Standards for Sustainability (GCSS)
have the potential to be customised on delivery as regulations change
to support training nationally over time, even with state regulation
variances. They also have the potential to offer the knowledge and
skills to individuals to support the current commitments and allow
those participants to become industry leaders.
National training utilising the GCSS has the potential to create
opportunities for future innovation in the construction and property

industry in general. It’s only a matter of time before sustainability industry in general. It’s only a matter of
time before sustainability regulations becomes mandatory, meaning for those who don’t support it or
contribute to national consistency it may result in missed opportunities, additional training and insurance
costs, a reduced market share and a failure to meet current standards.
This new sustainability trend in the development and management of property within the construction and
property sectors has recently allowed industry to go beyond compliance to embrace opportunities such as the
following initiatives and standards for existing and new buildings:
Building Labels Rating & Assessment Tools Target Areas for Minimum
Standards
• Green buildings • Green Star
• Energy
• Buildings ratings • NABERS
• Emissions
• Energy efficiency standards (e.g. • Basix
appliances, buildings) • Indoor Environmental Quality
• ABGR
• High performance buildings • Thermal efficiency
• NatHERS/AccuRate
• Environmental efficient • Water
• Green Globe 21
buildings
• Materials
• First Rate
• Environmental house design
• Waste
• Energy and environmental Design
• Land Use & Ecology
• Sustainable architecture
• Management
• Transport
• Innovation
These labels, rating system tools and minimum standards for buildings were created for the property industry
in order to support sustainably built and managed residential and commercial buildings though:
• a common language;
• measuring and setting standards for green buildings;
• integrating a whole-building design to efficient operations;
• establishing environmental leaders;
• identifying building life-cycle impacts;
• raise awareness of green building benefits; and
• occupational satisfaction
3.1 The Issues
Traditionally the main objective for business is to support itself and its stakeholders, but industry best
practice in sustainability has the potential to lead to continued increases in profit, community support and
reduced impacts on the environment in the foreseeable future. The issues in this section relate to
environmental impact resulting from people. The idea is to review all the environmental issues without
becoming overwhelmed. This approach will lead to businesses creating step by step changes with achievable
goals and a continuing improvement cycle to support environmental sustainability.
Research undertaken by the internationally recognised, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and
Development (OECD) states that building products and materials have significant environmental impacts:
buildings consume 30 - 50% of available raw materials, account for 25 - 40% of final energy consumption
and generate about 40% of waste to landfill in OECD countries.13
13 OECD ‘Environmentally sustainable buildings: Challenges and Policies’, 2003, http://www1.oecd.org/publications/e-book/9703011E.PDF [October 2006]

Sustainability approaches can be incorporated into existing businesses through the creation of policies,
procedures and on-going sustainability training. Environmental impacts that could be addressed include:
• Natural resource exhaustion and restoration
• Energy consumption and by-products (e.g. greenhouse gases/emissions)
• Water quality (e.g. stormwater pollution) and conservation (efficiency)
• Noise, land (disturbance), air (atmosphere and indoor quality) and pollution
• Natural and cultural heritage
• Waste (liquid and solid, including hazardous wastes)
• Biodiversity loss due to land disturbance
One of the most recent issues is climate change. Climate change results from the release of greenhouse
gases (e.g. CO2, CH4, N2O, HFCs, PFCs, SF6, and other CO2 equivalents) into the atmosphere due to energy
emissions. Currently, climate change is leading to an increase in the intensity and frequency of drought,
severe flooding and natural disasters (bushfires, floods, cyclones and storms) affecting global and local
economies (e.g. agriculture crop destruction due to intense storms, coral bleaching damaging tourism
industries).
Large point source vs. diffuse source pollution

In the 1970’s large point source and gross pollution levels were common. Rivers regularly ran red with blood
from abattoirs. These practices were brought under control by the EPA through the application of regulations,
typically at the manufacturing stages due to mass production of products.
Today’s greatest challenge is diffuse source pollution. This pollution is released mostly at the product use
stage and is associated with products such as appliances, automobiles/trucks and buildings (home and
office). The product design stage is therefore one of the key intervention points for reducing impacts on our
environment and the efficient use and disposal of products.
3.2 Opportunities
Purchasing influence
Sustainable purchasing supports not only the policies of a business, but can influence the suppliers and
buyers through education and recommendations, similar to ways external customers influence business. The
Commonwealth Government has created a policy to influence their supply chain as seen below.
Commonwealth Government sustainable procurement policies and purchasing power - Support for the
advancement of supply chain criteria was echoed by the industry consultation (commissioned by NEEC and
DEH) which found that the government itself could exert significant influence in this area with its procurement
policies and purchasing power (Ecos Corporation 2003). This is being addressed to a certain extent by the
preparation of voluntary environmental purchasing tools, in the form of guides and checklists, for Australian
Government procurement officers (DEH 2004). A further suggestion from the industry consultation was to identify where
target audiences went for business advice and to use that as a channel for sustainability (Ecos Corporation 2003). Australian
Government Department of Finance and Administration: Commonwealth Procurement Guidelines
http://www.finance.gov.au/procurement/procurement_guidelines.html

The Canadian Business for Social Responsibility (CBSR) Corporate Assessment Tool can be utilised with any
size company at any level of creating, implementing or managing a corporate social responsibility system. It
groups corporate responsibility into five categories:
• Governance and Management Practices

• Human Resource Management
• Community Investment and Involvement
• Environment, Health and Safety
• Human Rights.
“Within these broad categories, many more specific issues are addressed, including ethics, supply chain
management, volunteerism, stakeholder engagement and continuous improvement. While each company will
have its own senses of which areas are most important to them, it is vital to recognise that integrating efforts
in all related CSR areas is key to the effective management of CSR.”14
Life Cycle Thinking

Most goods and services produced and consumed by humans have some type of impact on the environment
and community. The design, production and selection of sustainable products and services can both reduce
our impact on the environment and communities but also save us money in the long term. One powerful way
of communicating the issues is by reviewing the production and consumption life cycle thinking in Table 6 for
any type of product.
Table 6: Life cycle thinking
Stages of a product’s life cycle Life Cycle Thinking
1. Product design 1. Product design is usually the best intervention stage keeping
the following in mind.
2. Raw materials extraction
2. How much energy, water and materials are used at each stage?
3. Product manufacturing 3. What quantities of emissions or pollutants are being released?
4. ‘Product use’ usually has by far the greatest impact, so how will
4. Packaging and distribution
it be used over time?
5. Product consumption or use 5. How do we get rid of it (e.g. waste disposal, biodegradable,
hazardous waste, time length for break down)?
6. Disposal at the end of the
6. What affect does this have on society, environment and the
product life
economy?
The EPA Victoria Graph 115 below (developed by Krista Milne, EPA Life Cycle Unit Manager), identifies the
largest environmental impact a building has on the environment is when it is in use (during the usage stage
of the lifecycle). Furniture has the largest impact on the environment during the raw material stage, followed
by disposal and the manufacturing process. Ideally, planning during the design stages, research into
products and a strong relationship with your suppliers will lead to a positive outcome over the life cycle of a
product or building.
14 The Conference Board of Canada, Corporate Social Responsibility, ‘How the CR Assessment Tool Works’
http://www.conferenceboard.ca/GCSR/CR_AT/how_it_works.htm [July 2006]
15 NCS Waste Forum 2 November 2006

Graph 1: EPA life cycle impacts
3.3 Industry sectors within CPSISC
Construction and Property Services Industry Skills Council (CPSISC) is one of

ten Industry Skills Councils for the Vocational Education and Training (VET)
system recognised and funded by the Australian Commonwealth and
governed by the Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST). As an
ISC, they bring together key industry sectors to support industry needs
through the upkeep of industry training within their realm. The ISCs are
responsible for developing and managing the competency standards and
qualifications which guide the knowledge and skills of the Australian
workforce.
CPSISC is recognised throughout Australia as running extensive industry

consultations that set the skill standards to support employers and their
employees achieve peak performance. Please refer to the official
Construction and Property Services Industry Skills Council website for up to
date information on the various sectors and training packages at
www.cpsisc.org.au. Key training areas covered by CPSISC include:
• Property Development & Management

• General Construction Trades & Services
• Off-site Construction Trades & Services
• Plumbing Services
• Asset Maintenance & Security
The following sections of the Guideline Brief relate to the above areas. Information is provided to support
customising of the Guideline Competency Standards for Sustainability (GCSS), developing qualifications or skills
clusters and also determining training needs for the various sectors within CPSISC. The issues are practical
examples for industry based on the outlined information above in 3.1 Issues.

3.3.1 Property development & management
The property development and management industry

training sub sectors include:
• Real Estate
• Stock and Station Agency Property
(Livestock Services)
• Spatial Information Services
• Business Broking Property (Business Broking)
• Property Operations and Development
Introduction
Stakeholders, including homeowners, businesses,
industry, schools and governments have shown a need for the development of more efficient, healthy and friendly
built environments. As a result of this demand, some property developers have realised there are potential sales
and business to be made from the use of sustainability features in domestic and commercial real estate.
CPSISC training for this particular sector covers the areas above. Training in these areas provides skills and
qualifications that support our economy by ensuring industry has the current knowledge skills to succeed in the
local, national, regional and global markets.
The GCSS are currently being supported for uptake in the Property Services training package for delivery across
industry in 2007. Based on industry consultations and the current property market, we propose all areas in this
sector utilise these units for future industry sustainability training needs.
Training opportunities
Opportunities for training in this sector around sustainability include:
• Marketing for consumer education to inform consumers
• Brokering to buy, lease and sell any property
• Development- starting with planning and design then each stage to operations
• Contractual agreements outlining sustainability potential
• Consumer and employee health and safety
Green Building Council Australia – The Dollars and Sense of Green Buildings
”According to analysis of international and Australian data, the Report finds that green buildings
deliver lower annual operating costs and more efficient asset management. Local case studies
demonstrate a 60% reduction in water and energy consumption which can reduce annual operating
costs from $120 per sqm to $60 per sqm”
Commercial Buildings
1. Increased occupant productivity (1 - 25% increase) & well being;
2. Less staff disruption and turnover;
3. Higher relative investment returns (minimum 14% ROI);
4. A marketing advantage (free promotion);
5. Higher market value for asset (10% increase);
6. Higher rents (5 -10% increase); and
7. A range of other benefits.
This Report also identifies a number of barriers to the mainstream uptake of green building principles and
practices, including:
1. A general lack of knowledge and skills about green building;

2. A lack of value attached to the long term benefits of green buildings and too great a focus on short term
low cost construction;
3. A lack of government support and leadership at all levels, including insufficient incentives and inconsistent
and uncoordinated regulation;
4. The lack of appropriate green and reusable materials; and
5. The confusion created by the plethora of rating tools.
To address these barriers, the Report identifies a range of actions which could provide a way forward in
facilitating the greening of commercial buildings in Australia, including:
1. Co-ordination and consistency in national metrics, standards, and targets to provide clarity for the industry;
2. A range of green building educational programs to increase the uptake of green building practices and the
demand for green commercial buildings;
3. Government leadership and partnership with industry to support the industry's uptake of green building
practices; and
4. Fiscal incentives attached to improving the environmental performance of existing buildings and for the
use of green building technology to accelerate the transition of the industry (including state and local
planning incentives and concessions and special tax deductions for green building practices).16
Environmental Protection Authority Victoria Case Study
‘Adapted from EPA Victoria Case Studies on Life Cycle Management’ - for the full case study refer to
http://www.epa.vic.gov.au/Lifecycle/LCM-in-action/case_zenith.asp
Zenith is a commercial furniture company who’s ranked in the top three Australian owned suppliers. Zenith
originally changed its strategic approach due to public sector tenders requesting information about the
environmental impacts of the products they supplied. Due a more environmental approach Zenith has reaped
the following benefits:
1. Becoming a market leader with an increased company profile

2. Increases in innovative product design leading to a larger market share
3. Stronger relationships with suppliers and
4. Business market growth for products.
Zenith looks at Environmentally Sustainable Design as an investment, not a cost.
Through their initiatives, Zenith achieved change across the industry. “Zenith worked with Alpine MDF to reduce
the environmental impact of its medium density fibreboard. As a result of the partnership Alpine MDF now supply
an environmentally improved product - 100% E0 Trimatrx - MDF with reduced formeldahyde emission to all of its
customers. Alpine MDF are continuing to improve other aspects of their products and processes.”17
For more information refer to the ‘Resources’ section by clicking here.
3.3.2 General construction trades & services
The general construction trades and services industry training sub sectors include:
• Project Managers • Demolition • Solid Plastering

• Bricklaying/Blocklaying • Dogging • Steelfixing
• Building Surveying • Painting and Decorating • Wall and Ceiling Lining
• Carpentry • Rigging • Wall and Floor Tiling
• Concreting • Roof Tiling • Waterproofing
• Scaffolding
16 ‘The Dollars and Sense of Green Buildings – Building the Business Case for Green Commercial Buildings in Australia’, Green Building Council of Australia,
2006 http://www.ecospecifier.org/home_feature_articles/dollars_and_sense_of_green_buildings_2006_gbca_report [October 2006]
17 ‘Case study - Zenith Interiors’, EPA Victoria 23 March 2006 http://www.epa.vic.gov.au/Lifecycle/LCM-in-action/case_zenith.asp [October 2006]

Introduction
The ability of the Australian construction industry to recruit, train and retrain appropriately skilled workers
depends on the quality and responsiveness of our training industry. Historically, training in this sector has mostly
been ad hoc as a response to new regulations, but there is now an opportunity to support training for current
compliance and future sustainability regulations beyond compliance.
This brief has provided the business case for sustainability as well as information to support recent progressive
industry movement in support of sustainably built environments. These GCSS now offer an opportunity to support
training for emerging and existing professionals for a consistent national approach to sustainability in the
construction industry.
Opportunities for training in this sector around sustainability include:

• Sourcing and purchasing sustainable materials
• Emissions from energy and transport
• Resource use- e.g. energy, water and waste management
• Recovering, reusing, recycling and disposing of materials, water and energy
• Hazardous materials
• Water quality (stormwater pollution) and scarcity
• Land disturbance
• Informing consumers
• Including environmentally sustainable specifications, options, benefits in tenders/quotes
• Including environmental sustainable criteria in tender requests and contractual agreements.

RMIT onSITE Case Studies18 http://onsite.rmit.edu.au/

This web resource lists case studies from domestic and major commercial construction and
demolition projects focused on waste minimisation and resource recovery. These studies will develop
over time and include practical advice for builders, developers, architects, designers and others to
implement on construction and demolition projects. The information includes initiatives to avoid or reduce waste
from building materials, packaging, recycling materials and resource recovery. Authored by Bruce MacDonald
Cement Australia
http://svc143.wic010v.server-
web.com/driver.asp?page=main/sustainable+development/environmental+performance
“There is currently no practical substitute for this versatile and durable product for many of its uses.
As a key ingredient in concrete, cement is a requirement for modern societies but its production is
resource- and energy-intensive.
That is why eco-efficient production - yielding more cement from fewer resources and producing less waste and
pollution per tonne – is core to our business. To support this commitment, we embed our social, occupational
health, environment and quality policy in business processes to ensure continued focus and systematic
performance improvement. Cement Australia is committed to continuous improvement and promoting best
practice in our industry in the following areas:
1. quarry management and rehabilitation
2. water use
3. transport
4. solid by-products”19
3.3.3 Off-site construction trades & services
The off-site construction trades and services industry training sub sectors include:
• Shopfitting • Stonemasonry (Monumental/Installation)

• Joinery-Timber/Aluminium/Glass • Sign Writing/Computer Operations
• Stairs • Sign Manufacture
• Pre-Fabrication • Neon Manufacture
• Machining
Introduction
Off-site construction benefits the construction and property

industries by supporting an increase in on site productivity due
to the development and supply of pre-made materials off site.
Off-site development can support high quality materials which
have less impact on the surrounding environment because of
resource and waste efficiency.
The decision to use off-site trades and services needs to be

reviewed in the initial stages of a project and during the design
process, taking into consideration efficiency, costs, and
transport of the raw materials vs. pre-made materials.
Examples include concrete, double glazed glass, pre-
fabricated materials and safety.
18 RMIT onSITE http://onsite.rmit.edu.au/

19 Cement Australia, ‘Environmental Performance’ http://svc143.wic010v.server-
web.com/driver.asp?page=main/sustainable+development/environmental+performance [November 2006]

Opportunities for training in this sector around sustainability include the following:
• Informing consumers
• Building developments and efficient production of off-site materials
• Sourcing and purchasing sustainable materials
• Recovering, reusing, recycling and disposal of materials, water and energy
Sustainability of off-site produced precast concrete20

http://www.azobuild.com/details.asp?ArticleID=7166
“Precast concrete has many desirable properties which may contribute to sustainability.” These
include:
1. Reduction of temperature fluctuations in buildings.
2. Supports reduced carbon dioxide emissions and the energy requirements from air-conditioning.
3. Self-cleaning concretes due to titanium dioxide additives to reduce pollution
4. Reduced urban temperatures and lighting requirements because of light-coloured concretes
5. Permeable precast paving with collector systems and tanks to provide controlled urban drainage.
6. And reusable components, reduced aggregate consumption, electronic tagging of components and self-
compacting concrete.
TecEco, is changing the way concrete is manufactured and used in construction. They use mud brick
cement, which is stronger, although uses less binder and is more sustainable than the traditional
alternatives. In addition using TecEco’s eco-cement reduces net emissions.
“The final ‘green’ aspect of eco-cement that has attracted international interest and local joint
ventures in research involving some of Australia’s largest construction materials manufacturers, is that it can
utilise large, chemically benign amounts of various wastes for its physical property rather than chemical
composition, adding values such as lighter weight or greater insulating ability.21”
For the full story visit: http://www.infolink.com.au/articles/AC/0C0385AC.aspx
Corporate Express, one of the largest office furniture suppliers in Australia for flooring, wall
treatments, textiles, modular carpet, seating, workstation systems and storage solutions.
David Baggs, Principal Consultant and Technical Director of Ecospecifier stated “There is a very rapid
uptake of building sustainability within the major building industry, driven largely by the big financial
services sector and by the ethical investment market – one of the fastest growing financial sectors in
the country…Building owners are moving quickly to ensure that their buildings are Green Star rated so they can
include their building assets in their ethical investment portfolio.22
20 Sustainability of off-site produced precast concrete, AZoBuild, 2006 http://www.azobuild.com/details.asp?ArticleID=7166 [November 2006]
21 Infolink, Lachlan Gilbert, ‘Tests confirm Eco-Cement’s strength and sustainability’ 10 November 2005
http://www.infolink.com.au/articles/AC/0C0385AC.aspx [September 2006]
22 Infolink, 13 July 2006 ‘Green office furniture showroom opens’ http://www.infolink.com.au/articles/47/0C042747.aspx [October 2006]
3.3.4 Plumbing services
The plumbing services industry training sub sectors include:
• Drainage • Plumbing (Mechanical Services)

• Metal Roofing and Cladding • Roof Plumbing
• Urban Irrigation • Gas Fitting
• Plumbing • Fire Protection
Introduction
Industry has recognised the demand and met the needs of plumbers across
the nation through the Master Plumbers and Mechanical Services
Association of Australia’s (MPMSAA) GreenPlumbers® training and
registration. Through a series of workshops plumbers learn new
techniques, knowledge and skills to support sustainability in their
profession and learn ways to inform clients about products, services and
new systems.
The GCSS provide an opportunity to support the consumer and trade

demand through the recognition and streamlining of training to support a
consistent approach for emerging and existing professionals to meet
current and future needs.
Opportunities for training in this sector around sustainability include the following:
• Plumbing design and installations for whole system approach utilising waste water (grey and black)
• Cooling towers to support cooling buildings
• Roof, rainwater tank and stormwater design/integration to maximise opportunities
• Irrigation and waste treatment design and water management for landscape
• Water sensitive urban design
• HVAC systems for efficiency, minimising water and energy use and emissions
• Informing consumers about efficient appliances, taps and other products to introduce them to the benefits
and savings in the short and long term
• Sourcing and purchasing sustainable materials, products and appliances or making recommendations to
consumers

• Recovering, reusing, recycling and disposal of materials, water and energy

• Consumer and employee communication outlining benefits and opportunities
Caroma Industries Ltd has created the Caroma H2ZeroTM Cube Urinal to support waterless
technology. A “Bio SealTM acts as a one-way valve to seal the cartridge from the drainage system and
against back-pressure situations. The Caroma H2ZeroTM Cube Urinal satisfies targets for
sustainability, water conservation, and environmental impact.”23
“Intelligent in design, high on performance, and easy to maintain, the Caroma Cube 0.8L Smartflush® Urinal
Suite is the first to achieve the maximum 6 Star WELS rating for water conservation. The suite’s innovative design
uses 60% less water compared to standard 2L single stall urinals, and even greater savings when compared to a
two-stall urinal using more than 4L per flush. ”24
Rada Pulse – Sensor systems for taps, showers and urinals

Rada Pulse from Thornthwaite Technologies produces a sensor-operated, centrally managed system
to activate water flow for taps, hand basins, showers and urinals via discrete ceiling or wall sensors
with adjust flow rates. Benefits for the commercial sector include water and energy savings, including
long-term financial returns.25
3.3.5 Asset maintenance & security
The asset maintenance and security services industry training sub sectors include:
Asset Maintenance Asset Security

• Carpet Cleaning • Security Operations
• Cleaning Management • Security and Risk Management
• Cleaning Operations Technical Security sale and installation of
• Pest Management security equipment
• Waste Management • Investigative Services both factual
• Fire Protection Equipment investigation and surveillance areas
• Fire Safety Systems Inspection
Introduction
Australia's Asset Maintenance & Security industries help

shape the look, security and running operations of
Australian industries and are also an integral piece of
Australia's economic success. These services provide
security and maintenance of investment capital to support
business activities in both in Australia and internationally.
Asset Security is one of the most important areas of any

business and indirectly supports the overall Australian
economy. We depend on this sector directly to protect
business from loss, secure business investments and
increase access to capital and to protect assets and
workers. Indirectly, asset management and security
contributes to financial management and sustainable
investments, including superannuation to support the
growth of the Australia’s economy as a whole.
23 Infolink, Superior Performance. Stylish Design. Zero Water, http://www.infolink.com.au/Showcases/Caroma-Industries/157516 [November 2006]
24 Infolink, Australia’s First 6 Star WELS Urinal Saves 60% More Water, http://www.infolink.com.au/Showcases/Caroma-Industries/157517 [November 2006
25 http://www.infolink.com.au/Showcases/Thornthwaite-Technologies/138199
CH2 building image courtesy of the City of Melbourne website http://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/info.cfm?top=171&pg=1933
Asset Maintenance contributes to the health and safety of our workforce and
protects the value or our assets by contributing to their upkeep. This upkeep
includes securing the area in which work is carried out and supporting
sustainability polices and practices through water, energy, resource
efficiency and waste management, especially turning off appliances and
lights after cleaning.
Opportunities for training in this sector around sustainability include the

following:
• Informing stakeholders
• Sustainable waste management based on integrated systems
• Water and energy audits for efficiency assessment and emissions
analysis
• Facility sustainability reporting on efficient systems management and
security
• Sourcing and purchasing sustainable materials, life cycle planning
and costing for office equipment and supplies
• Sustainable resource use- energy, water and waste management
• Hazardous materials, including electronic waste (security industry)
• Consumer and employee health and safety, especially cleaning
products/systems and pest management
• Environmental sustainability risk management
• Asset preventative maintenance and investments
‘New Developments in Cleaning Products and Indoor Air Environments’26
GREENGUARD Environmental Institute (GEI) October 2006

http://www.greenguard.org/Default.aspx?tabid=43&ItemId=424
Chemical cleaners and cleaning systems often lead to a poor indoor environment (air quality and pollution)
contributing to an unsafe work environment for workers and occupants. Heath risks are higher for young and
elderly alike, but can affect all individuals by damaging immune and respiratory systems or causing allergic
reactions.
GEI with JohnsonDiversey, a global provider of commercial cleaning, sanitation and hygiene solutions, announced
that they will be certifying cleaners and cleaning systems for minimal ‘off-gassing’ to avoid both acute and chronic
risks.
“The program specifically focuses on chemical emissions for cleaning products, including general cleaners, glass
cleaners, toilet cleaners, floor cleaners, hard surface cleaners, institutional cleaning systems, aerosol products
and carpet cleaners.”27
For more information on this standard and how building professionals might use it, please go to
www.greenguard.org
26 Greenguard Environmental Institute, 17 October 2006 http://www.greenguard.org/Default.aspx?tabid=43&ItemId=424 October 2006

27 ibid

4. Resources
This section includes information to assist with expanding current sustainability knowledge and
understanding to enable trainers to support industry training. These are additional resources to those already
listed as footnotes in relevant sections.
A Resource Bank was established by the National Centre for Sustainability (NCS) at Swinburne University in
2006 with support from the Department of Environment and Heritage. The information is categorised by
specific interest areas and industry sectors to be withdrawn or deposited like a banking system. Users are
invited to submit relevant resources to the site, thus the number and scope of resources will increase over
time as more people deposit information into the site to share with others.
http://www.swin.edu.au/ncs/resourcebank/welcome.htm
NCS can also provide up to date training advice and support for the implementation of the standards,
including the development and distribution of learning resource materials.
Useful Contacts & Helpful Resources
4.1 Construction Services
http://www.sustainability.vic.gov.au/ww
Sustainability Victoria’s list of electric and gas boosted solar
w/html/2022-solar-hot-water-for-
water heaters
industry.asp?intSiteID=4
www.arid.asn.au The Rainwater Tank Design & Installation Handbook – HB230

OR from the National Plumbing Conference Cairns September
http://www.greenplumbers.com.au/me 2006, by Gary Workman, Executive Officer - Australian
dia/docs/2006_nat_conf/Gary_Workma Rainwater Industry Development Group (ARID) and Master
n.pdf Plumber & Mechanical Services Association of Australia
Dux hot water systems - READYHOTtm product recirculates

‘cooled’ water in the hot water pipes to send it back to the hot
http://www.dux.com.au/
water system to continue recirculating until turning off once the
water starts to warm saving water
“The Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) for Construction

Innovation [established 2001, Queensland University of
Technology] is a national research, development and
implementation centre focused on the needs of the property,
http://www.construction-
design, construction and facility management sectors….The
innovation.info/index.php?id=3
Government's Cooperative Research Program, Construction
Innovation is developing key technologies, tools and
management systems to improve the effectiveness of the
construction industry.”29
Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council working

http://www.asbec.asn.au/
towards a national strategy for sustainably built environments
http://www.greenhouse.gov.au/yourhom Your Home Technical Manual, Commonwealth of Australia

e/technical/fs32.htm#what Greenhouse Office
http://www.constructingexcellence.org. ‘Lean Construction Factsheet’ Constructing Excellence in the

uk/pdf/fact_sheet/lean.pdf built environment
29 The Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) for Construction Innovation, ‘About us’, ‘Vision’ http://www.construction-innovation.info/index.php?id=3 [November
2006]

Waste Planning Guide for Development Applicants Regional

Waste Boards NSW - Developments and Demolitions require a
http://www.resource.nsw.gov.au/data/wa
waste management plan which must be approved by the local
steplanningguide.pdf
council for new projects, including ongoing waste management
after occupation
http://www.sustainability.vic.gov.au/www
Waste Wise Construction & Demolition Kit Sustainability
/html/1940-how-to-minimise-
Victoria - practical tools for the construction and demolition
construction--demolition-
industries for reducing waste
waste.asp?intSiteID=4
RMIT Centre for Design – Sustainability research, tools,

http://www.cfd.rmit.edu.au/ programs, and training for the built environment, materials,
products & packaging and LCA.
http://www.abcb.gov.au/ Australian Building Codes Board
A Global network for international exchange - International

http://www.cibworld.nl/website/ Council for Research and Innovation in
Building and Construction
SB05 Tokyo - World Sustainable Building Conference in Tokyo

http://www.sb05.com/homeE.html
Reference ‘Outcome of SB05’ for concepts and opportunities.
GreenPlumbers® - Master Plumbers and Mechanical Services

Association of Australia (MPMSAA) offers nation wide
http://www.greenplumbers.com.au/inde workshops to support the sustainability training demands for
x.php?pageID=4 plumbers, including educating clients on appliances, products
and services to suit each individual’s needs to advance and
secure their position in their trade
GREENGUARD Allowable Emission Levels are listed for the

following: • Air Filters
• Adhesives and Sealants • Insulation
• Bedding • Office Equipment
• Ceiling Systems & Furniture
http://www.greenguard.org/Default.aspx
• Cleaning and Maintenance • Paints and Coatings
?tabid=109
Products/Systems • Surfacing Materials
• Doors • Textiles
• Flooring • Wall Finishes
• General Construction • Writing and Display
Materials Products
http://www.gbcaus.org/ Green Building Council Australia
http://www.deh.gov.au/settlements/indu Wastewise Construction Program – The Department of

stry/construction/ Environment and Heritage
4.2 Property Services
Sanctuary Magazine by HOME – Australian Greenhouse Office

http://www.greenhouse.gov.au/yourhom
publication: visit the web link for recent case studies of
e/sanctuary/index.htm
sustainable homes

Energy and greenhouse management toolkit: Sustainability

http://www.sustainability.vic.gov.au/www/ Victoria includes six modules to reduce energy consumption
html/1938-energy-and-greenhouse- and greenhouse gas emissions with tools, case studies and
management-toolkit.asp guidance for real cost savings, improved productivity, and
compliance with legislation and license conditions
Sustainable Sources Real Estate Locator for Sustainability

http://www2.greenbuilder.com/realestate Built homes to buy or sale globally (mainly homes in the
/search.qry?function=form United States, but some international listings) or use as a
resource
Bottomline3 (BL^3) is a software package developed by

Dipolar Pty Limited and the ISA team at University of Sydney.
http://www.isa.org.usyd.edu.au/consultin
This software allows individuals to develop comprehensive
g/BL3.shtml
sustainability reports by inputting financial information along
OR
side the social, environmental and economic indicators you’ve
http://www.bottomline3.com/
chosen to create reports with graphs and diagrams to support
communication to your stakeholders
Building Air Quality: A Guide for Building Owners and

Facility Managers by the USA Environmental Protection
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/pdfs/iaq.pdf
Agency and National Institute for Occupational Safety and
Health Publications Office
http://www.constructingexcellence.org.u ‘Whole Life Costing Factsheet’ Constructing Excellence in

k/pdf/fact_sheet/wholelife.pdf the built environment
http://www.gbcaus.org/ Green Building Council Australia
http://www.propertyoz.com.au/vic/EMS/bac Environmental Management System for commercial

kground.html buildings – Property Council of Australia
‘Sustainability Overview’ Interface, Inc., carpets, flooring and

http://www.interfaceinc.com/
fabrics
Cleaning and Custodial Supplies and Waste Prevention from the

http://www.ciwmb.ca.gov/WPIE/Cleaning/
California State Government, Waste Advisory Board
Maricor Technologies develops information technology and

http://www.maricortech.com// software products for sustainable governance of facilities,
infrastructure and buildings
The GREENGUARD Environmental Institute based in the USA is an

American National Standard Institute Accredited Standards
Developer. Evaluation of over 75,000 chemicals, including volatile
http://www.greenguard.org/Default.aspx?ta organic compounds (VOCs), carcinogens and reproductive toxins to
bid=22 support low pollutant requirements (e.g. off-gassing from
formaldehyde or some office furniture) determining acceptable
indoor air standards for indoor products, environments, and
buildings, which are some of the most stringent in the world

4.3 Business Resources
Attracting investment for sustainable enterprises: The

International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD)
www.iisd.org/publications/publication.as EarthEnterprise™ Toolkit contains advice and checklists for
p?pno=307 SMEs and entrepreneurs seeking investment for sustainable
products and services and lists American and Canadian
sources of capital for sustainable enterprises
The FORGE Group’s Corporate Social Responsibility: Guidance

for the Financial Services Sector addresses the risks,
benefits, challenges and possible action points for a number of
www.bba.org.uk/bba/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=
different business units in the financial services industry
123
(general insurance, life assurance, fund & asset management,
property portfolio management, retail banking, commercial
investment & corporate lending and debt recovery services)
http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/ Under Construction: The Green Property Insurance Market

national/2006/11/07/74013.htm By Andrea Ortega-Wells November 7, 2006
http://www.gbapgh.org/ Green Building Alliance Smart Solutions for Built Environment
The Sustainable Development Journey: A Global Guide by

Business & Sustainable Development offers a three stage
http://www.bsdglobal.com/sd_journey.asp journey outlining regulatory compliance, environmental risk
management and sustainable business strategies to explain
the path of sustainability in meeting long term interests
http://davislangdon-
Examining the Cost of Green by Davis Langdon
usa.com/Attachment%20Files/Research/
Abbreviated Version (modified October 2004)
The%20full%20report.pdf
Bob Willard, the author of ‘The Sustainability Advantage: Seven

http://www.swinburne.edu.au/ncs/new
Business Case Benefits of a Triple Bottom Line’ 2002 and ‘The
s/0029nextwave.htm
Next Sustainability Wave Building Boardroom Buy-In’ 2005
http://www.egeneration.co.uk/centre/ser Egeneration in the UK - Benchmarking tool for waste, water

vices/benchmarking/index.asp and energy and case studies on Green Office programs
EPA Life Cycle Management Business Portal – This website

http://www.epa.vic.gov.au/Lifecycle/What has been developed to provide information and tools to help
-can-i-do/default.asp#1 businesses adopt a life cycle approach in their business
decision making
Business in the Community is a unique movement of over 700

of the UK’s top companies committed to improving their
positive impact on society. They provide a huge range of FREE
RESOURCES in the following areas:
• CEO & Strategy
• Environment
http://www.bitc.org.uk/index.html
• Reputation & Marketing
• People & Workplace
• Community Affairs
• Small Business
• Voluntary & Public
‘A Director’s Guide to Corporate Responsibility Reporting’

Business and Sustainable Development

This site explains the strategies and tools companies can use
http://www.bsdglobal.com/
to support implementation of sustainability including case
studies from around the world
Insurance providers recognise sustainability as a key

http://deh.gov.au/settlements/industry/fina
challenge: View Sustainability Strategy and Corporate
nce/publications/mays-report/insurance-
Sustainability - an Investor Perspective: The Mays Report
sector.html
Department of the Environment and Heritage 2003
http://www.epa.vic.gov.au/bus/unep/fina
The Environment and the Finance Sector: EPA Victoria
nce_sector.asp
Implementing a sustainable supply chain - The New Zealand

Business Council for Sustainable Development (NZBCSD) has
produced a practical Business Guide to a Sustainable Supply
www.nzbcsd.org.nz/supplychain
Chain which details five steps to implementing a sustainable
supply chain with a number of suggested models and
templates
Business and Environment Handbook is a resource from the

Victorian Employers' Chamber of Commerce and Industry to
assist businesses manage environmental issues and support
http://www.vecci.org.au/vecci/sustainabil
business operations. Topics include environmental
ity/business+and+environment+handboo
management, identifying and managing impacts,
k/index1.asp
waste/energy/water/air/noise management, site
contamination, dangerous substances management,
regulatory authorities and other assistance
GreenFleet – a program that offsets your greenhouse

www.greenfleet.com.au
emissions from motorised transport by planting trees
Greenpower – information about government accredited

renewable energy. Purchasing GreenPower from sources such
http://www.greenpower.gov.au/pages/ as wind, solar and hydro is the easiest way to reduce your
greenhouse emissions from stationary energy (excluding
transport related emissions) to virtually zero
http://www.conferenceboard.ca/GCSR/CR_A ‘How the CR Assessment Tool Works’ The Conference Board of

T/how_it_works.htm Canada - Corporate Social Responsibility
‘A Director’s Guide to Corporate Responsibility Reporting’ -

Businesses in the Community’s UK publication draws on best
http://www.bitc.org.uk/resources/publicatio
practice and the experience and is designed to guide directors
ns/a_directors_guide.html
through five challenging questions facing decision makers as they
develop a reporting strategy
Sustainability Reporting for organisations

http://www.isa.org.usyd.edu.au/research/TB
Information Sheets – Integrated Sustainability Analysis by the
LEPAinfo.shtml
University of Sydney and Environmental Trust

4.4 Government
http://www.cpsisc.com.au/Default.aspx?
Construction and Property Services Industry Skills Council
query=/Home/
http://www.finance.gov.au/procurement/pr Commonwealth Procurement Guidelines Australian

ocurement_guidelines.html Government Department of Finance and Administration
http://www.deh.gov.au/settlements/publi
National Government waste reduction and purchasing
cations/government/purchasing/waste-
guidelines – The Department of the Environment and Heritage
reduction.html
The Australian Building Greenhouse Rating is a world first

http://www1.sedo.energy.wa.gov.au/pag initiative for rating the greenhouse and energy performance of
es/aus_build.asp commercial office buildings. Administered in Western
Australia by the Sustainable Energy Development Office
http://www.deh.gov.au/about/legislation.html Information on Government Legislation
The Department of Environment and Heritage (DEH) lists relevant

Australian Local Governments links.
• Local Government Sites
http://www.deh.gov.au/esd/links/local.html • Local Government Associations
• Local Government Case Studies
• Australian Government Programs for Local Governments
• International Local Government Sites Sustainability Case Studies
Sustainability Victoria website for information, tools, research and

http://www.sustainability.vic.gov.au
case studies on energy, water and waste.
4.5 Environmental Sustainability
Planet Ark and Sensis 'Recycling Near You' website locates

http://www.recyclingnearyou.com.au/ local recycling information either by the local council area or
product for Australian States and Territories.
Greenhouse Challenge Plus aims to help Australian companies

http://www.greenhouse.gov.au/challenge/
to reduce emissions while improving efficiency.
National Packaging Covenant aims to reduce waste and

http://www.deh.gov.au/settlements/waste/
increase the materials efficiency of materials used for
covenant/index.html
packaging.
Sustainability Victoria supports many initiatives which lead the

http://www.sustainability.vic.gov.au
way for other states and territories.
Australian Government Environmental websites - The

http://www.deh.gov.au/esd/links/common
Department of Environment and Heritage with activities and
wealth.html
agreements.
http://www.epa.vic.gov.au/bus/sustainabilit
Sustainability Covenants EPA Victoria
y_covenants/question.asp
http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/educa
Sustainability Compacts EPA NSW
tion/sustaincompacts.htm

4.6 Social Sustainability
International standards for improving working conditions –

www.sa-intl.org
Social Accountability International
http://www.ilo.org/public/english/standard International Labour Standards - International Labour

s/norm/introduction/index.htm Organisation
www.un.org/Overview/rights.html Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Edmund Rice Business Ethics Initiative - Supports discussions

on values and ethics in the workplace to develop research and
http://www.erc.org.au/busethics/index.s
further discussions to support and encourage a better
html
understanding of the needs of both the community and
business objectives.
Rainforest Alliance - Their mission is to protect ecosystems
and the people and wildlife that depend on them by
http://www.rainforest-alliance.org/
transforming land-use practices, business practices and
consumer behaviour.
http://www.sa- SA8000 is an international standard for working conditions and
intl.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=Page.viewPa improvements including standards certification, training, and
ge&pageID=473 accreditation.
http://www.sustainability.com/downloads_pu Reporting on Human Rights - SustainAbility Think Tank

blic/insight_reports/humanrights_2005.pdf Publication April 2005
4.7 Training Resources & Tools

‘Standardisation and Preassembly Factsheet’ for builders and
http://www.constructingexcellence.org.u
designers to support off-site construction from Constructing
k/pdf/fact_sheet/preassembly.pdf
Excellence in the built environment
FairAir interactive guide for Australian homes: Australian
http://www.fairair.com.au/ Institute of Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heating (AIRAH)
‘The right advice means the right choice’
HVAC - GS2000TM is a software program, first released in 1995,
Download GS2000TM
for engineers and contractors to size ground heat exchangers
http://www.sbc.nrcan.gc.ca/software_an
for commercial and domestic systems for either monthly loads
d_tools/software_and_tools_e.asp
or residential models to reduce installation costs.
Sustainable Facility Governance by Maricor Technologies
Maricor develops information technology and software
products for sustainable governance of facilities, infrastructure
and buildings.
IT tools include:
http://www.maricortech.com/ • iPlan™ Sustainable Facility Governance Technology for Enterprises
• iPlan™ Facility Capital Planning Solution
• iPlan™ Energy Governance
• iPlan™ Security Governance
• iPlan™ Demand-Side Management
• Building Blocks™ Sustainable Asset Management Solution
AusIndustry research papers

http://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/info.cf The following 10 technical papers and 10 study outlines offer
m?top=171&pa=2021&pg=3189 insight into the designs and systems of Council House 2 (CH2),
including the building and operational aspects.

Canadian Sustainable Buildings and Communities: tools,

software, publications, research and case studies. They are
experts in energy innovations for the built environment
http://www.sbc.nrcan.gc.ca/ supporting research, development, and deployment of
leading-edge energy efficient and renewable energy
technologies for new and existing housing, buildings and
communities.
http://www.deh.gov.au/settlements/publicat Environmentally friendly office equipment - Department of

ions/government/purchasing/green-office- Environment and Heritage: A guide for buying and using
guide/index.html equipment by the Commonwealth of Australia, 2001
Greening the Building Life Cycle – RMIT LCA tools in building

http://buildlca.rmit.edu.au/menu9.html and construction with case studies comparing various sized
building in the residential, commercial and other sectors.
DDC's Sustainable Design Training Program includes

http://www.ci.nyc.ny.us/html/ddc/html/d
resources, tools, guidelines, training power points, manuals
dcgreen/
case studies and research.
UK Constructing Excellence in the built environment –
http://www.constructingexcellence.org.uk/ Resources, tools and up to date information. Best Practices
Explorer Themes including information on Your Business
http://www.constructingexcellence.org.u Processes
k/resources/themes/default.jsp Your Internal Culture
Your External Relations
‘Constructors’ environment factsheet UK Constructing

http://www.constructingexcellence.org.u Excellence in the built outlines aspects of sustainability for
builders, trades people and landscapers, such as
k/pdf/fact_sheet/sus_constructors.pdf
considerations, what’s important and can be done to operate
more sustainably.
‘Supplier’ factsheet Constructing Excellence in the built
http://www.constructingexcellence.org.uk/p
environment outlines aspects of sustainability for more
df/fact_sheet/sus_suppliers.pdf
sustainable building design.
‘Designer’ factsheet Constructing Excellence in the built

environment outlines aspects of sustainability for more
df/fact_sheet/sus_designers.pdf
sustainable building design.
http://www.constructingexcellence.org.uk/p ‘Managing Risk Factsheet’ Constructing Excellence in the built

df/fact_sheet/risk.pdf environment
‘Public & Private Sector Clients’ factsheet Constructing
Excellence in the built environment outlines the role of
organisations or individuals that are procuring a new property - a
df/fact_sheet/sus_clients.pdf
new building or a refurbishment and the aspects of sustainability
to be considered.
Earthscan Publications Book Natural Capitalism: The Next Industrial Revolution,
http://shop.earthscan.co.uk/ Hawkins, P et al (2000)
http://www.ecorecycle.sustainability.vic.gov.a Waste Reduction Programs
u/www/html/463-reducing-office- Sustainability Victoria has established Green Office Tips for Waste
waste.asp?intSiteID=1 Reduction through the Waste Wise program.
Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP): The CDP is a secretariat
through which institutional investors ask the world's largest
companies to disclose investment-related information about
http://www.cdproject.net/
their greenhouse gas emissions. This website is the largest
registry of corporate greenhouse gas emissions in the world
and information can be downloaded freely.

Socially Responsible Investing (SRI)

SocialFunds.com features over 10,000 pages of information on SRI
http://www.socialfunds.com/
mutual funds, community investments, corporate research,
shareowner actions and daily social investment news.
Global Reporting Initiative – Sustainability Reporting Framework with

Sustainability Reporting Guidelines which has ~ 1000 organisations
http://www.globalreporting.org/
across the globe reporting on sustainability by using the guidelines to
benchmark against other industries.
The Conference Board of Canada - Corporate Responsibility

Assessment Tool - For more information about this tool or to
http://www.conferenceboard.ca/GCSR/C request a demonstration of the on-line C RAT, contact Prem
R_AT/default.htm Benimadhu, Vice-President, Organisational Performance on
(613) 526-3090, ext. 370, or e-mail
benimadhu@conferenceboard.ca.
Energy Rating by the Commonwealth Government – a resource

www.energyrating.gov.au designed to help you choose energy efficient appliances to reduce
your greenhouse emissions
Energy Star – Commonwealth Government website similar to

Energy Rating (above) this site provides information about
www.energystar.gov.au
energy efficient electronic equipment. An essential resource
for a Green Office program.
Travelsmart by the Commonwealth Government - a federal

www.travelsmart.gov.au government program designed to help you make informed travel
choices to reduce greenhouse emissions.
ISO 14001 – Environmental Management Tool refer to ‘General

www.iso.org
Terminology’ for a further explanation.
www.ethicaltrade.org/ Ethical Trading Initiative
www.quality.co.uk/emas.htm Eco Management & Audit System
‘Profiting From Environmental Improvement in Business - An

http://www.deh.gov.au/settlements/industry/ Eco-Efficiency Information Kit for Australian Industry’
corporate/eecp/publications/profiting.html Environmental Management tools to improve the business bottom
line by The Department of Environment and Heritage
http://www.aries.mq.edu.au/project.htm#ind ARIES Industry Sustainability Toolkit Project 2005

ustry_toolkit A review of sustainability resources for industry.
http://www.sustainability.vic.gov.au/www/ht
Waste publications and fact sheets from Sustainability Victoria
ml/1829-publications---w-z.asp
Fact Sheets - Air conditioning, Energy management, Lighting,

http://www.sustainability.vic.gov.au Refrigeration, Cogeneration, Heat recovery, Motor systems,
Steam systems, Compressed air, Insulation, Office equipment
http://www.sustainability.vic.gov.au/www/ht The Sustainability Victoria (formally Sustainable Energy Authority
ml/2038-energy-saving-fact-sheets.asp Victoria) has information sheets on technologies and equipment
that can significantly reduce energy consumption in business.
http://www.greenhouse.gov.au/publications/i Energy saving publications and fact sheets from the Australian
ndex.html Greenhouse Office (AGO)

General Terminology
“Bottom Line”: The last line of a company's profit and loss ledger sheet. The bottom line usually refers to the
net profit or loss of a company at any given time.
“Business Plan”: A written document that describes a business, its objectives, strategies, market and
financial forecast.
“Business sustainability”: A holistic continuous improvement process that includes the sound management
of people and the environment.
“Climate Change”: Includes changes in the atmosphere leading to variations in temperature regionally and
globally, mostly as a result of human contributions like greenhouse gases. The results include increased air
and water temperatures leading to more frequent and severe droughts, floods and other natural disasters.
Some of these impacts can be seen in the destruction of agricultural crops (leading to increase retail prices)
or coral bleaching due to an increase in water temperatures (destruction of coral reefs) leading to future
affects on some tourism industries.
“Cost of Sales”: The definition for cost of sales may vary. For retailers it includes the purchase price for an
item including all direct costs related to that item including freight, insurance and taxes/charges. For
manufacturing, it includes the cost of inputs including raw materials and labour. You may wish to seek further
clarification from your accountant or financial advisor.
“Customisation”: The Victorian Qualification Association defines customisation as the structure of the
qualification and contextualisation as the delivery of the qualification (refer to
http://www.vqa.vic.gov.au/vqa/accreditation/faqs.htm#mapping). This allows Training Package developers to
focus their efforts on the identification of industry specific skills and knowledge required to ensure their
Training Package is an accurate and meaningful reflection of work practices.
“Contextualisation”: Includes making additions or amendments to the sustainability units to support various
delivery methods, types of learners, a specific workplace environment and other needs of the local industry,
although, the integrity of the competencies must be maintained. This can be done successfully by following
the advice from CPSISC in the Business Services Training Package for contextualisation as outlined below:
• must not remove or add to the number and content of elements and performance criteria;
• may add specific industry terminology to performance criteria where this does not distort or narrow the
competency outcomes
• may make amendments and additions to the range statement as long as such changes do not diminish
the breadth of application of the competency and reduce its portability, and/or
• may add detail to the evidence guide in areas such as the critical aspects of evidence or resources and
infrastructure required where these expand the breadth of the competency but do not limit its use
Any modifications to units must ensure the integrity of the industry skill and portability requirements,
including all legislative, licensing and any other regulatory requirements, is maintained.
“Corporate Social Responsibility”: (CSR) A concept describing a business approach to taking responsibility
for their actions with regard to all stakeholders (including internal employees, partners and shareholders)
with regard to safe working conditions, employment, accountability, transparency, investments and external
stakeholders in the local community, environment and globally with regard to climate change. CSR is also
referred to as corporate citizenship, good (corporate) governance, corporate (social) responsibility, triple
bottom line, sustainable business or corporate sustainability.
“Ecologically Sustainable Development - The Guiding Principles”: Listed below
• decision making processes should effectively integrate both long and short-term economic,
environmental, social and equity considerations
• where there are threats of serious or irreversible environmental damage, lack of full scientific certainty
should not be used as a reason for postponing measures to prevent environmental degradation

• the global dimension of environmental impacts of actions and policies should be recognised and
considered
• the need to develop a strong, growing and diversified economy which can enhance the capacity for
environmental protection should be recognised
• the need to maintain and enhance international competitiveness in an environmentally sound manner
should be recognised
• cost effective and flexible policy instruments should be adopted, such as improved valuation, pricing
and incentive mechanisms
• decisions and actions should provide for broad community involvement on issues which affect them.
http://www.deh.gov.au/esd/national/nsesd/strategy/intro.html#WIESD
“Energy Efficiency”: Refers to products or systems using less energy to do the same or better job than
conventional products or systems. Energy efficiency saves energy, saves money on utility bills, and helps
protect the environment by reducing the amount of energy that needs to be generated.
“Energy Rating”: A rating given to energy efficient products, which displays an energy efficient label.
“Energy Saving Appliances”: Appliances and infrastructure which reduce the amount of energy required for
a particular activity, such as compact fluorescent lighting, appliances with high star ratings, and energy
efficient machinery.
“Energy Star”: A voluntary labelling program that identifies energy efficient products. Qualified products
exceed minimum federal standards for energy consumption by a certain amount or, where no federal
standards exist, have certain energy saving features. Such products may display the Energy Star label. These
labels can be seen when purchasing appliances for the home or office and heating and cooling devices.
“Environmental Impact”: Any change to the environment, whether adverse or beneficial, wholly or partially
resulting from an organisation's activities, products or services. Also defined as the impact a company has on
ecology, ecosystems and biodiversity.
“Environmental Initiative”: An organised and coordinated strategy to address the environmental needs,
issues or desires of a business or community.
“Environmental Management Plan”: A plan to undertake an array of follow-up activities which provide for the
sound environmental management of a project so that adverse environmental impacts are minimised and
mitigated; beneficial environmental effects are maximised and sustainable development is ensured.
“Environmental Officer/Rep”: A designated person within a business/organisation who is responsible for

implementing and promoting environmental initiatives, strategies, practices and policies. An environment
officer or representative may not necessarily be a formal position; they may simply be a person interested in
environmental issues who promotes good environmental practices in the workplace.
“Environmental Performance”: Measurable results of the environmental management system related to an

organisation's control of its environmental aspects based on its environmental policy, objectives and targets.
“Environmental Policy”: An environmental policy is a statement outlining the intentions of an organisation

with respect to the management of its environmental impacts. Examples include decisions to use
environmental cleaning products or goods that are made from natural rather than chemical sources for the
benefit of the stakeholders and the environment.

“Environmental Purchasing”: Purchasing products which have the least amount of negative environmental
impact such as environmentally friendly products, energy/water saving appliances/infrastructure, etc.
“Carbon Credits and the development and maintenance of carbon sinks”: “A Protocol to the United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change was adopted in Kyoto in 1997. This Kyoto Protocol establishes
legally binding greenhouse gas (GHG) emission targets for developing countries. The Protocol will come into
effect on the 16th of February 2005. The Protocol includes flexibility mechanisms to help countries meet their
emission reduction targets. These flexibility mechanisms include the use of carbon sinks (pools that take up
released carbon from another part of the carbon cycle) and emissions trading.” Under the Protocol a planted
forest which is established after 1 January 1990 on previously cleared land will count as a carbon sink. The
carbon dioxide sequestered in such a forest can be used to create carbon credits. Emissions trading will allow
countries and individual companies to buy and sell carbon credits created by activities that reduce the level
of GHG emissions.
“Eco-Efficiency”: The delivery of competitively priced goods and services that satisfy human needs and bring
quality of life, while progressively reducing ecological impacts and resource-use intensity throughout the
lifecycle to a level at least in line with the earth’s estimated carrying capacity. In short, creating more value
with less impact. www.wbcsd.org/newscenter/2000.htm
“Ecological Footprint Assessment”: Ecological Footprint Assessment provides “a measure of how much
productive land and water an individual, a city, a country, or humanity requires to produce all the resources it
consumes and to absorb all the waste it generates, using prevailing technology.” The methodology can also
be used to assess the footprint of product and service offerings
http://www.footprintnetwork.org/gfn_sub.php?content=glossary
“Global Reporting Initiative”: The GRI framework presents reporting principles and specific content
indicators to guide the preparation of organisation-level sustainability reports. The reporting framework is
voluntary and is used by organisations to report on the economic, environmental and social dimensions of
their activities, products and services. The environmental performance indicators include Materials; Energy;
Water; Biodiversity; Emissions, Effluents and Waste, Suppliers, Products and Services and Compliance.
http://www.globalreporting.org/ReportingFramework/
“Green Office”: An office that has a minimal impact on the natural environment, from minimising the energy
consumed in air conditioning and lighting, through to minimising the amount of paper used and waste
generated.
“Green Power”: Green Power is energy that is generated from renewable sources such as wind and solar. You
can purchase GreenPower through your current electricity supplier.
“Greenhouse gas emissions”: A gas, such as water vapour, carbon dioxide, methane, chlorofluorocarbons
(CFCs) and hydro chlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), that absorbs and re-emits infrared radiation, warming the
earth's surface and contributing to climate change. These gases emissions are released during the use of
burning fossil fuels, aerosols, and land use like deforestation, irrigation, agriculture and animal husbandry.
The greenhouse effect is widely accepted as the cause of global climate change. Gases include CO2, CH4,
N2O, HFCs, PFCs, SF6, and other CO2 equivalents.
“Holistic approach”: Relating to, or concerned with, wholes or complete systems rather than the analysis or
treatment of, or dissection into parts.
“Hazardous and Toxic Materials and Substances”: Any solid or liquid material that poses a threat to human
health and/or the environment. Typical hazardous substances are toxic, corrosive, ignitable, explosive or
chemically reactive. http://www.epa.gov/OCEPAterms/hterms.html
“International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO)”: An international standard-setting body composed of

representatives from national standards bodies. Founded on February 23, 1947, the Organisation produces
world-wide industrial and commercial standards, the so-called ISO standards.29
29 Greenguard Environmental Institute, 17 October 2006 http://www.greenguard.org/Default.aspx?tabid=43&ItemId=424 October 2006

“ISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems”: ISO 14001:2004 specifies requirements for an
environmental management system (EMS) to enable an organisation to develop, implement, maintain and
improve objectives and policy around legal requirements and/or other requirements to which the organisation
subscribes. Information about significant environmental aspects and be used in coordination with other
management systems. EMS applies to environmental aspects an organisation identifies as those which it can
control and influence yet does not specifically state environmental performance criteria. The standard can be
purchased from Standards Australia www.standards.com.au or http://www.saiglobal.com/
The ISO 14000 environmental management standards exist to help organisations (a) minimise how their
operations (processes, etc.) negatively affect the environment (i.e. cause adverse changes to air, water, or
land); (b) comply with applicable laws, regulations and other environmentally oriented requirements, and (c)
continually improve in the above. ISO 14001 is an internationally accepted specification for an Environmental
Management System. It specifies requirements for establishing an environmental policy, determining
environmental aspects & impacts of products/activities/services, planning environmental objectives and
measurable targets, implementation & operation of programs to meet objectives & targets, checking &
corrective action and management review.
• ISO 14040 discusses pre-production planning and environment goal setting.
• ISO 14020 covers labels and declarations.
• ISO 14030 discusses post-production environmental assessment.
• ISO 14062 discusses making improvements to environmental impact goals.
• ISO 14063 is an addendum to 14020, discussing further communications on environmental impact.
• ISO 19011 which specifies one audit protocol for both 14000 and 9000 series standards together. This
replaces ISO 14011 meta-evaluation — how to tell if your intended regulatory tools worked. 19011 is
now the only recommended way to determine this.30
“Life Cycle Assessment”: “LCA studies the environmental aspects and potential impacts throughout a
product’s life (i.e. cradle-to-grave) from raw material acquisition through production, use and disposal. The
general categories of environmental impacts needing consideration include resource use, human health, and
ecological consequences.” This is from AS/NZS ISO 14040 Environmental Management – Life Cycle
Assessment. The standard can be purchased from Standards Australia www.standards.com.au
“Locally produced products”: Products that are produced locally which benefit the environment due to a
reduced resource consumption of energy used for transport.
“Large Sized Business”: A large business employs 200 or more people.
“Medium Sized Business”: Medium business is one employing between 20 and 200 people.
“National Packaging Covenant” The Covenant supports industry efforts to reduce and minimise the
environmental impacts as a result of packaging waste, resources conservation supporting innovative design
and clean production techniques, re-use and recycling.
http://www.deh.gov.au/settlements/waste/covenant/index.html
“Product Stewardship”: A concept of shared responsibility by all sectors involved in the manufacture,
distribution, use and disposal of products http://www.sustainability.vic.gov.au/www/html/1633-product-
stewardship.asp
“Professional Development”: Increase of knowledge or skill through study, travel, research, workshops or
courses, sabbaticals, internships, apprenticeships, residencies or work with a mentor or master. A process of
learning and keeping up-to-date in one's area of expertise.
“Purchasing Strategies”: Purchasing strategies refers to the environmental benefits that can be obtained
through sustainable procurement. “Sustainable procurement is the process in which organisations buy
supplies or services by taking into account:
• the best value for money considerations such as, price, quality, availability, functionality, etc.;
• environmental aspects ("green procurement": the effects on the environment that the product and/or
service has over its whole lifecycle, from cradle to the grave);
30 English Wikipedia, ‘ISO 14001’, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISO_14001[July 2006]

• the entire Life Cycle of products;

• social aspects: effects on issues such as poverty eradication, international equity in the distribution of
resources, labour conditions, human rights.” http://www.unepie.org/pc/sustain/design/green-
background.htm
“Purchasing policy”: An organisation's preferences, systems and procedures for purchasing like their
attitude towards the supply chain, such as favoured or approved suppliers, single or multiple sourcing, and
rules and guidelines.
“Rebates”: A deduction from the amount to be paid or a return of part of an amount given in payment.
“Resource and environmental efficiency”: minimisation of environmental risks and maximisation of

opportunities to improve environmental performance and to promote more efficient production and
consumption of natural resources on the worksite, for example by
• minimising waste, through participation in / use of a waste minimisation system
• using resources efficiently including, but not limited to reducing material usage and supporting efficient
energy and water use, such as:
o insulation
o tool maintenance
o transportation
o air testing pipes
o efficient fittings
o strategic use of materials to reduce off cuts and wastage
o using alternative practices, procedures and materials/products that reduce or
eliminate resource consumption
o site management to minimise stormwater pollution31
“Recycled paper”: A paper product that contains recovered paper materials. The recycled content is
measured as a percentage of the paper's weight.
“Recycling”: The process by which recovered materials are transformed into new products, rather than
discarding them as wastes.
“Recycling Systems”: Based on the thinking that resources must be reused as much as possible in the quest
for Zero Waste, these systems focus on minimising the injection of fresh resources, saving energy, and
organising manufacturing operations.
“Reduced resource consumption”: A reduced amount of use of any form of matter or energy obtained from
the environment that meets human needs.
“Renewable energy”: Energy obtained from sources that are essentially inexhaustible, unlike, for example,
the fossil fuels, of which there is a finite supply. Renewable sources of energy include wood, waste,
geothermal, wind, photovoltaic, and solar thermal energy. Renewable energies can be used by purchasing
GreenPower from sources such as wind, solar and hydro is the easiest way to reduce your greenhouse
emissions from stationary energy (excluding transport related emissions) to virtually zero.
“Small Sized Business”: A small business is defined as a business employing less than 20 people. Categories
of small businesses include: - non-employing businesses - sole traders & partnerships without employees; -
micro businesses: employing less than 5 people; - other small businesses: employing between 5 and 20
people.
“Sustainability”: The ability to provide for the needs of the world's current population without damaging the
ability of future generations to provide for themselves. When a process is sustainable, it can be carried out
over and over without negative environmental or social effects or high costs to those involved.
“Sustainability Action Plan”: A plan to evaluate various sustainability actions and plan for their
implementation.
31 CPSISC Draft training unit BCP/BCGGCSSUS01B Participate in environmentally sustainable work practices [October 2006]

“Sustainable growth”: Maximum amount of growth a firm can sustain without increasing financial leverage.
“Social impacts of business”: Social impacts generally refer to impacts on people, including staff, customers
and the broader community. Good management of people will usually translate to higher levels of productivity,
a stronger customer base and an enhanced reputation in your community.
“Sustainability Strategy”: A strategy of action designed to achieve a particular goal with regards to ‘Business
sustainability’.
“Sustainable Production and Consumption”: Sustainable lifestyles and ways of working are central to
overcoming poverty and conserving and protecting the natural resource base for all life. Sustainable methods
of production are needed in agriculture, forestry, fishing and manufacturing. Use of resources need to be
minimised, and pollution and waste reduced. Likewise, there is a need to reduce the social and resource
impacts of lifestyle consumption habits to ensure the equitable availability of resources for all around the
world. Education and training for sustainable production and consumption depends upon literacy and basic
education and education for the world of work and responsible citizenship are key goals of both EFA and
UNLD. “Framework for a Draft International Implementation Scheme” July 2003
http://portal.unesco.org/education/en/file_download.php/9a1f87e671e925e0df28d8d5bc71b85fJF+DESD+Fra
mework3.doc
“Systems Theory”: An interdisciplinary field that studies the properties of systems as a whole. Systems theory
focuses on Organisation and interdependence of relationships. A system is composed of regularly interacting or
interdependent groups of activities/parts the emergent relationship(s) of which form the (a) whole.32
“Trend Report”: A Trend Report is used to display business data in graph format revealing trends over
multiple quarterly periods.
“Triple Bottom Line Report”: ‘Triple bottom line’ is a term used to describe reporting on economic,
environmental and social performance. A ‘Triple Bottom Line Report’ displays economic, social and
environmental information for a selected quarter or annually.
“Triple bottom line”: SustainAbility coined the term “The triple bottom line’ (TBL) which “focuses
corporations not just on the economic value they add, but also on the environmental and social value they add
– and destroy. At its narrowest, the term ‘triple bottom line’ is used as a framework for measuring and
reporting corporate performance against economic, social and environmental parameters.
At its broadest, the term is used to capture the whole set of values, issues and processes that companies must
address in order to minimise any harm resulting from their activities and to create economic, social and
environmental value. This involves being clear about the company’s purpose and taking into consideration the
needs of all the company’s stakeholders – shareholders, customers, employees, business partners,
governments, local communities and the public.”33
“Sustainable development”: The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO)
define sustainable development in reference to the United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable
Development (DESD), spanning from 2005 to 2014 as:
• “Society: an understanding of social institutions and their role in change and development, as well as
the democratic and participatory systems which give opportunity for the expression of opinion, the
selection of governments, the forging of consensus and the resolution of differences.
• Environment: an awareness of the resources and fragility of the physical environment and the affects
on it of human activity and decisions, with a commitment to factoring environmental concerns into
social and economic policy development.
• Economy: a sensitivity to the limits and potential of economic growth and their impact on society and
on the environment, with a commitment to assess personal and societal levels of consumption out of
concern for the environment and for social justice. 34”
32 English Wikipedia, ‘Sustainability’, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Systems_theory [July 2006]

33 SustainAbility PDF Publication, ‘What is the Triple Bottom Line?’ http://www.sustainability.com/downloads_public/news/TBL.pdf [September 2006]
34 Draft International Implementation Scheme for the UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development United Nations Educational, Scientific, and
Cultural Organisation http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0014/001403/140372e.pdf

“Wikipedia”: An encyclopedia written collaboratively by many of its readers. It uses a special type of website,
called a wiki, which makes collaboration easy. Lots of people are constantly improving Wikipedia, making
thousands of changes an hour, all of which are recorded on article histories and recent changes.
Inappropriate changes are usually removed quickly, and repeat offenders can be blocked from editing.
“Waste”: Waste is unwanted or undesired material left over after the completion of a process. "Waste" is a
human concept: in natural processes there is no waste, only inert end products.
“Waste minimisation”: Waste minimisation includes those activities that aim to reduce the amount of waste
that is generated and the amount of waste that is disposed of or land filled. Waste minimisation includes
avoiding and/or reducing the generation of waste in the first place, reusing waste, recycling waste and
recovering waste through resource recovery.
“Waste water”: Water that is not fit for drinking but can be used on the garden, in toilets or in suitable parts
of the production process.
“Water saving appliances”: Appliances and infrastructure which reduce the output of water required for a
particular activity, such as low flow showerheads, water efficient washing machines, and rainwater tanks.
“World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD)”: A coalition of 190 international companies
united by a shared commitment to sustainable development via the three pillars of economic growth,
ecological balance and social progress. The WBCSD was created in 1995 in a merger of the Business Council
for Sustainable Development and the World Industry Council for the Environment and is based in Geneva,
Switzerland. It works on a variety of aspects related to sustainable development, i.e. development, energy &
climate, the business role in society, water, energy efficiency in buildings, and biodiversity. Among its
members are well-known companies such as General Motors, Dupont, 3M, Deutsche Bank, Coca-Cola, Sony,
Caterpillar Inc., BP and Royal Dutch Shell. The WBCSD also has a Regional Network of 55 like-minded
partner organisations around the world, 2/3 of the in developing countries.35
35 English Wikipedia, ‘Sustainability’, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Business_Council_for_Sustainable_Development [July 2006]


Guideline Brief: Knowledge & Skills For Sustainability

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Guideline Brief

Knowledge & Skills for Sustainability

Prepared by the National Centre for Sustainability @ Swinburne

National Centre for Sustainability (NCS) at Swinburne University of Technology Acknowledgments

KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS FOR SUSTAINABILITY PHASE II

2. The Business Edge 14

KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS FOR SUSTAINABILITY PHASE II

KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS FOR SUSTAINABILITY PHASE II

Sustainability Victoria & the National Centre for Sustainability @ Swinburne

The guideline standards being:

GCSSUS01A “Participate in environmentally sustainable work practices“

The sustainability driver is:

KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS FOR SUSTAINABILITY PHASE II

GCSSUS01A “Participate in environmentally sustainable work practices“

1.1 Layout of guideline brief

This brief consisting of four sections as follows:

KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS FOR SUSTAINABILITY PHASE II

1: Introduction to Guideline Brief

2: The Business Edge

CPSISC Guideline Brief • Property Development & Management

1.2 Purpose of guideline brief

• Construction and Property Services industries

KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS FOR SUSTAINABILITY PHASE II

1.3 Development and training support

• “Participate in environmentally sustainable work practices“

KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS FOR SUSTAINABILITY PHASE II

1.4 Sustainability principles

Resource efficiency is demonstrated visually below:

1.4.1 Achieving sustainability

KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS FOR SUSTAINABILITY PHASE II

Table 1: ARIES Progressive stages in corporate sustainability 2

1. Compliance – environmental considerations only of concern if obliged by law.

4. Social responsibility - management seek to establish culture that is committed to meeting

The Property Council of Australia supports

1.4.2 Training opportunities

Table 2: Training for sustainability

Sustainability Training Units Target Areas

• Minimum training standards for understanding and awareness of

KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS FOR SUSTAINABILITY PHASE II

• Use tools to supporting a continuous improvement system

• Strategic management to integrate sustainability at any level of an

o accountability and transparency with stakeholders

• Reward participants for participation in continuous improvements

KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS FOR SUSTAINABILITY PHASE II

• Create policies and procedures to ensure environmental management

Integrating sustainability in construction and property

Positions in construction and property:

KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS FOR SUSTAINABILITY PHASE II

2. The Business Edge

Table 3: Business drivers

5 SustainAbility Think Tank, ‘Overview’, http://www.sustainability.com/news-media/overview.asp [July 2006]

KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS FOR SUSTAINABILITY PHASE II

2.1 Return on investment

Table 4: Industry sustainability drivers

Purchasing sustainable building products encourages suppliers to be

Consumers are becoming more conscientious about environmental

Due to the general decline in availability of non-renewable resources,

Sustainability approaches can support risk management and avoidance

Reduced costs can lead to an increase in access to capital or a potential

Due to increasing competition in the local, regional and global markets

Sustainable building design and operations can lead to an increase in

Sustainability can address targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions