National

Corporate Social Responsibility

(CSR) Audit
For Australia’s Business Events sector

A report commissioned by Business Events Australia, Tourism Australia

Released February 2009
“Tourism Australia’s National Corporate Social Responsibility Audit
demonstrates how seriously Australia takes the issue of sustainable
tourism and it provides proof of the milestones being reached across the
sector. The Audit will play an important role in strengthening Australia’s
global reputation in delivering world-class, sustainable events. This is
a terrific opportunity for the Australian business events industry to
highlight their expertise, products, and commitment to sustainability.”
Media release from the Hon. Martin Ferguson AM MP, Minister for Tourism, 28 July 2008

This report outlines the About Business Events Australia

results of Tourism Australia’s
National Corporate Social
Responsibility (CSR) Audit,
conducted with the
Australian Business Events
industry in the second
half of 2008.
Internet
You can access this report and further
information on CSR initiatives online
at businessevents.australia.com
Business Events Australia is the
business group within Tourism
Australia dedicated to promoting
Australia as a sustainable destination
for corporate meetings, incentives,
association conferences and
conventions. The Business Events
Australia program is delivered by a
specialist team located in Sydney and
the key markets of Hong Kong, Japan,
New Zealand, United Kingdom and the
United States. For more information
about Business Events Australia go to:
businessevents.australia.com
or call +61 2 9360 1111
Acknowledgements
Tourism Australia would like to
acknowledge the CSR Audit Pilot
Group: Qantas; Sydney Convention
and Exhibition Centre; BridgeClimb;
Hayman Island; Great Southern
E-vents; and Encore; for their
contribution to the development of the
Audit. Special thanks to Frank Hubbard,
IHG; Australia’s Convention Bureaux;
and to the 278 organisations who
completed the online questionnaire.
The Audit was conducted by AMR
Interactive for Tourism Australia.
Source of Verbatims
Throughout this report, verbatim quotes
have been used from respondents
to the online survey. These appear on
pages 3, 5, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19
and show the range of commentary
provided about CSR initiatives.
 National Corporate Social Responsibility Audit (CSR) | For Australia’s business events sector

Contents

02 Identifying Australia’s Corporate

Social Responsibility (CSR) Credentials
02 What is CSR?
03 About the National CSR Audit
03 CSR Audit Objectives
03 CSR Audit Methodology
03 Key Issues

04 CSR Audit Participants

04 Number of Participants
04 Geographical Locations
04 Key Respondents
04 Size and Profile of Key Respondents

08 Executive Summary
10 Green Accreditation
10 Current Levels of Green Accreditation
10 Range of Accreditation Types
12 Growing Commitment to Accreditation
12 Barriers to Accreditation
12 Selecting the Right Accreditation

14 CSR Management
14 Strategic CSR Decision-Making
14 Written CSR Policies and Strategies
16 Day-to-Day Management of CSR Issues
16 Changing Behaviour:
Internal Communication of CSR Issues
16 Measuring Environmental Impact

17 Green Products and Initiatives

17 Increased Demand for Green Product
17 Driving the Demand for Green Product
18 CSR Responses to Client Demand
18 Programs to Reduce Environmental Impacts
18 Benchmarking

20 Conclusions
 National Corporate Social Responsibility Audit (CSR) | For Australia’s business events sector

Identifying Australia’s Corporate Social

Responsibility (CSR) Credentials

What is Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)?

“Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) involves a commitment
to contribute to the economic, environmental and social
sustainability of communities through the on-going
engagement of stakeholders, active participation of
communities impacted by company activities and the
public reporting of company policies and performance
in the economic, environmental and social arenas.
Increasingly CSR is the decision-making and implementation
process that guides all company activities in the protection
and promotion of international human rights, labour
and environmental standards and compliance with legal
requirements within its operations and in its relations to
the societies and communities where it operates.”
Source: http://www.bench-marks.org/glossary.shtml

2

“Within our event contracting we offer a range
of services and advice on waste reduction and energy
minimisation initiatives.”
Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC)
About the National CSR Audit
There is now greater global demand
to deliver business events which have
a strong social and environmental
focus. Increasingly, corporate meeting
and incentive planners from around
the world are seeking information
on venues and services in Australia,
which can assist businesses in staging
events that are more sustainable.
CSR Audit Objectives
In response to these demands Tourism
Australia conducted a National
Corporate Social Responsibility Audit
in the second half of 2008 to identify
the CSR credentials of the business
events industry in Australia.
The Audit was undertaken following
a pilot survey conducted in June 2008,
where six key operators assisted in
developing the Audit. These operators
included: Qantas, Sydney Convention
and Exhibition Centre, BridgeClimb,
Hayman Island, Great Southern
E-vents and Encore.
Key objectives of the CSR Audit were to:
• Gather evidence to market Australia’s
CSR credentials to position Australia
as a destination where the natural
environment is valued and protected;
• Use information and evidence to
support the marketing of Australia
as a sustainable business events
destination; and
• Develop an inventory of product
and case studies for best practice
in the Business Events industry.
Identifying Australia’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Credentials
CSR Audit Methodology
Business Events organisations from
There is now greater
around Australia were invited to global demand to
participate. Between 1 August and
31 October 2008, 278 organisations deliver business
completed the online Audit
questionnaire. The Audit questionnaire
events which have
asked respondents a series of a strong social and
questions on a range of key issues,
outlined below. environmental focus.
Key Issues
The National CSR Audit focused on
the following issues to identify
the CSR credentials of the Business
Events industry in Australia:
• Current and intended levels
of green accreditation
• How organisations manage CSR issues
• Demand for green products
and services
• Breadth of ‘green’ product
• Green community initiatives, and
• CSR programs and projects.
From the Audit results presented in this
report, potential and existing clients of
Australia’s Business Events industry can
be better informed about Australia’s
green and socially responsible operators
– from convention centres, conference
and incentive hotels to staging companies.
The Audit will help inform marketing
with evidence of accredited product.
This will ensure that clients are presented
with credentialled, appropriately
benchmarked CSR operators. In the
end, it will be up to clients to choose
the type of event they wish to hold
in Australia. If Australian operators
can assist clients towards conducting
more responsible events this will
ultimately benefit the client, operator
and host community.
3
 National Corporate Social Responsibility Audit (CSR) | For Australia’s business events sector
CSR Audit Participants
Number of Participants
278 organisations participated in
Tourism Australia’s National CSR Audit,
representing a broad range of operators
within the business events industry
in Australia (see Chart 1 overleaf).
Geographical Locations
Over half of respondents were from
NSW. Another 30% were from Victoria
and Queensland combined. For the
location of Audit participants across
the States and Territories (see Chart 2).
Table 1: Key Respondents
Key Respondents
Accommodation
Convention & Exhibition Centre
Venues
Convention & Visitors Bureaux
Please note: Organisations selected multiple sectors and as such, are represented in multiple sector categories in the reporting of the results.
For example, out of 121 of the respondents from the Accommodation sector, 57 also selected Venues as a sector.
4
Key Respondents
Many organisations in the tourism
industry cater to both the business
events and leisure tourism sectors.
As the purpose of the Audit is to
identify the CSR credentials of the
business events industry in Australia,
a core group – 58 per cent of Audit
participants – have been classified as
‘Key Respondents’. The Key Respondents
are the major operators in the sector
with the biggest ecological footprint.
This includes accommodation
providers, venues, Convention and
Exhibition Centres, and Convention
Bureaux (see Table 1).
Accommodation Convention
& Exhibition Centre
121 1 57
1 8
57 2 79
1 0
Size and Profile of Key Respondents
The responses of the key respondents
most closely reflect current CSR policies
and practices in the business events
industry in Australia. The responses
also provide a better understanding
of the availability of resources for,
and influences on, CSR initiatives
undertaken in Australia. Where key
respondents express significantly
different responses from the total
group of Audit respondents, it is noted
in this report.
The CSR Audit results show that larger
companies and those which are
part of an international organisation
are significantly more advanced in
addressing CSR issues. It is therefore
relevant to note what proportion
of the Audit respondents they form.
Chart 3 shows that half of all key
respondents are relatively larger
organisations, with more than 100
employees. Similarly, slightly more
than half of key respondents are part
of an international organisation.
Venues Convention
& Visitors Bureaux
1
2 0
0
0 14
 CSR Audit Participants

“All Mirvac developments are designed to enhance the

latest in environmental & sustainability controls adopted
or required by state or local approval authority. Ongoing
procedures include embracing the local environment, local
community from which we employ & systems to continue
property operation to meet sustainability design criteria.”
Mirvac Hotels & Resorts

The CSR Audit results

show that larger
companies and those
which are part
of an international
organisation are
significantly more
advanced in
addressing CSR issues

Left: BridgeClimb has several CSR

initiatives in place and regularly donates
Climbs to charitable organisations for
fundraising purposes.

5
 National Corporate Social Responsibility Audit (CSR) | For Australia’s business events sector

Chart 1: Sector Categories of CSR Audit Participants

44%
Accommodation

3%
Convention & Exhibition Centres

Business Event Management (incl PCO’s, 35%

DMC’s, ITO’s & Incentive House/Agent

Industry Representation* (incl

Convention & Visitors Bureaux, Local, 14%
State or Federal Gvt & STO’s)

9%
Attraction

28%
Venues

1%
Retail

1%
Travel Agent

Marketing & PR (incl Advertising,

Marketing Representation, Media & PR) 6%

Business Event Services (incl Audio Visual,

Catering, Education, Entertainment
Agencies, Interpreting Services, IT,
Software Supplier/Web Services, Speakers 31%
Bureaux & Team Building)

10%
Transport

Question 3: How would you classify your organisation?

*80% of City Convention Centres responded to the survey.

Please note: Organisations selected multiple sectors and as such, are represented in multiple sector categories in the reporting of the results.
 CSR Audit Participants

Chart 2: Location of CSR Audit Participants

01
02

03
08
07

06

05
04

01 Western Australia 6%
02 Australian Central Territory 5%
03 New South Wales 53%
04 Northern Territory 1%
05 Queensland 14%
06 South Australia 5%
07 Tasmania 1%
08 Victoria 15%

Chart 3: Size and Profile of Key Respondents

Number of Employees International Brand/Chain

15% 23% 10% 50% 2% 53% 47%

Less than 10 10 to 49 50 to 99 100+ Don’t know Yes No

Question 2: Approximately how many full and part time employees (including contractors) are there in your head office?
Question 15: Are you part of an international brand or chain of companies?
Base: Key Respondents.
 National Corporate Social Responsibility Audit (CSR) | For Australia’s business events sector
Executive Summary
The CSR Audit results provide
insight on how the Australian
business events industry is
performing in terms of the
major Corporate Social
Responsibility issues of green
accreditation; organisational
management of CSR issues;
green products and services;
and measures the industry
is taking to reduce its
environmental impact.
The results of the CSR Audit make
clear the industry leadership on
CSR issues being shown by large
companies employing over 100
people, international enterprises,
Accommodation, Venues, Convention
and Exhibition Centres and Convention
Bureaux. Conversely, the Audit results
highlight potential barriers to achieving
CSR aims for smaller businesses.
Green accreditation provides
third-party acknowledgement that
an organisation has met agreed
standards of CSR policies and practices.
Currently one third of all respondents
are accredited, while half of key
respondents are accredited.
Accreditation levels for large and
international enterprises are twice the
industry average. Importantly, the CSR
Audit shows that levels of accreditation
are set to rise significantly over the
next year for all industry sectors.
8
The Green Globe Bronze and Silver,
Tourism Accreditation Australia and
the Ecotourism Australia accreditations
are the most popular with the
respondents choosing from the wide
range of accreditations available.
Barriers to accreditation revealed by the
CSR Audit include lack of understanding
concerning the different programs and
a perceived lack of resources to devote
to seeking accreditation, especially
among smaller businesses.
Allocation of responsibility for CSR
policies and practices reflects the profile
and importance of CSR issues within an
organisation. The Audit shows that
strategic CSR decision-making generally
rests with senior management, although
a high level of responsibility applies
across all layers of many enterprises.
CSR policies are mainly driven by
company policy and regulatory
obligations, although industry trends,
reputational issues and client demand
all influence the decision to adopt
CSR practices.
Specifically allocating responsibility
for day-to-day management of CSR
issues is critical to ensuring policies and
practices are implemented. Almost
twice as many large and international
organisations appoint CSR teams to
handle these issues, compared with the
industry average, with a large number
having specific personnel dedicated
to the day-to-day management of CSR.
While the Audit identifies a variety
of communication channels and
initiatives which are being used to
change behaviours in the workplace,
the majority of Audit respondents
do not currently measure their
environmental impact.
Larger and international enterprises
are leaders in this regard, both in
terms of impact measurement and
public accountability.
The Audit revealed that two in three
respondents are not participating in
offset programs, with other activities
and programs to reduce environmental
impacts preferred, including both
in-house and external initiatives.
A pleasing result is that a significant
number of respondents give preference
to locally sourced products and services.
The industry noted a marked increase
in demand for green products and
services over the past year, particularly
among Convention Centres and
Venues. The CSR Audit results suggest
that Australian clients are the major
drivers of demand for green offerings;
internationally, the markets of Europe
the United Kingdom and United States
of America are actively looking for
low impact business events. Larger
companies and international chains,
as well as accredited organisations,
are much more responsive to such
demand, offering a range of low impact
options identified by the CSR Audit.
Australia’s biggest operators appear
well placed to cater to a growing
demand for CSR options in business
events. However, smaller operators
appear to be uncertain about which
accreditation programs to pursue.
 CSR Audit Results: Executive Summary

“We renew our vehicles every two years to make sure we

have the most fuel efficient and latest emission controls.
We recycle all of our waste products, our accommodation
uses only rainwater and has an envirocycle for the garden.
We also employ only local staff and use as much local
produce as possible.”
Kangaroo Island Wilderness Tours

The Green Globe

Bronze and Silver,
Tourism Accreditation
Australia and the
Ecotourism Australia
accreditations are the
most popular with the
respondents choosing
from the wide
range of Australian
accreditations
available.

Left: Adelaide Convention Centre CEO

Alec Gilbert with worms from their new
worm farm.

9
 National Corporate Social Responsibility Audit (CSR) | For Australia’s business events sector

Green Accreditation

“In 2008/09 it is anticipated that approximately 40% of

the 2007/08 carbon emissions will be avoided simply
by moving all Conservation Volunteers Australia properties
across Australia to 100% green electricity suppliers.”
Conservation Volunteers Australia

Green accreditation is a public Range of Accreditation Types

While ISO (International Organisation
Green accreditation
acknowledgement that an
organisation has met agreed
for Standardisation) 14000, 14001 is considerably
accreditations are held by 16 per cent
standards of CSR policies of Audit respondents and 25 per cent higher among large
and practices. The business of key respondents, most reported
being accredited with at least one
organisations
events industry was asked of a wide range of programs, including employing over
about what types of green Australian travel and tourism
accreditations they currently accreditations, building-related 100 people and
hold and their plans to seek
accreditations and other more general
green accreditations.
international chains,
accreditation over the There is no industry concentration where around 60
coming years. Respondents
were also asked about
around a particular Australian
accreditation program. Seven per cent
per cent hold at least
barriers to seeking
are accredited with Tourism one accreditation.
Accreditation Australia (TAA), which is
accreditation. the highest level of support for any one
form of accreditation, followed by the
Current Levels of Green Accreditation
Australian Building Greenhouse Rating
One third of total Audit respondents
(now NABERS Energy) at four per cent.
and almost half (46 per cent) of the
key respondents reported holding While no one Australian accreditation
at least one green accreditation from dominates, certain types are favoured
a list of 18 programs (refer to Chart 4). by different sectors of the business
Green accreditation is considerably events industry. For example, half
higher among large organisations of the Convention & Exhibition Centre
employing over 100 people and respondents hold the Green Globe
international chains, where around 60 Bronze accreditation, and one quarter
per cent hold at least one accreditation. of attractions hold TAA accreditation
and 10 per cent of transport operators
The most advanced sectors of the
are Australian Building Greenhouse
business events industry in Australia
Rating accredited.
in terms of CSR accreditation are
Convention & Exhibition Centres
and Venues, with two thirds (63 per
cent) currently holding at least
one accreditation. More than half
(56 per cent) of accommodation
providers, retailers and travel agents
are also accredited.
New South Wales and Victoria are
leading the way when it comes to
accreditation, reflecting that more
operators are within these states and
that it is a particular focus in these areas.

10
 Green Accreditation

Chart 4: Types of Accreditation Held by Key Respondents

07 01

06

05
08

04

11

12

13
09
14
03
15

16

02

10

Travel & Tourism Building Related Other

(Other accreditations reportedly held:
01 At least one Accreditation 46%
HACCP: 20%, Qualmark Gold Sustainability: 4%)
02 Green Globe Bronze 5% 08 4 Star Green Building
03 Green Globe Silver 4% Council of Australia 1% 11 Greenhouse friendly  3%
04 Tourism Accreditation Australia 6% 09 6 Star Green Building 12 Carbon Reduction Institute 2%
Council of Australia 1%
05 Ecotourism Australia – Nature Tourism 3% 13 Climate, Community and Biodiversity
10 Australian Building Greenhouse Rating Design Standards 1%
06 Ecotourism Australia (now NABERS Energy) 3%
– Advanced Ecotourism 2% 14 Respecting Our Culture 1%
5 Star Green Building
07 Green STAR AAA Tourism 5% Council of Australia 0% 15 ISO 14000 1%
Green Globe Gold 0% NABERS 0% 16 Other ISO (eg 14001) 24%

Question 4: For each accreditation, could you select the statement which best describes your organisation’s position?
Base: Key Respondents.
 National Corporate Social Responsibility Audit (CSR) | For Australia’s business events sector
“Sustainable event management systems identify
industry and sector carbon and sustainability
benchmarks, set carbon and sustainability targets
and track trend results and targets for the industry.”
Sustainable Event Solutions
Growing Commitment to Accreditation
The Audit results show that levels of
green accreditation among respondents
in Australia are rising and are set to
remain a focus over the next few years.
Almost one third (31 per cent) of total
respondents report they are currently
seeking accreditation, including three
quarters of Convention & Exhibition
Centres, and just over half (55 per cent)
of accommodation providers, venues
and business events services.
Green Globe Silver, Bronze or NABERS
accreditations are the most popular in
the industry, currently being sought by
35-50 per cent of businesses. These
businesses also have Green Globe Gold
accreditation in their sights over the next
five years. The Ecotourism Australia-
Nature Tourism and Ecotourism
Australia-Advanced Ecotourism are
prized by attractions, with one fifth of
this sector currently seeking them.
Those sectors which have been slower
to take up accreditation aim to do so
over the next 12 months. Almost one
third (31 per cent) of transport operators
and one quarter of attractions plan to
get accredited, along with one quarter
of industry representative bodies.
12
Barriers to Accreditation Selecting the Right Accreditation
One in five respondents has not The Audit results show that two out
yet initiated green certification or of every three industry participants are
accreditation with the Audit results not familiar with, or do not understand
identifying a number of barriers the different types of accreditation
to seeking accreditation: available. This lack of familiarity with
accreditation programs naturally
• 30 per cent say they don’t have
makes it difficult for industry
enough time to seek accreditation
participants to decide which are the
• 28 per cent say they don’t have most relevant for their business.
the information they need to seek
Even where there is significant
accreditation
familiarity with a program, it may not
• 23 per cent say they lack guidance be seen as relevant for that business.
from industry bodies and/or One third of respondents in the
associations, and accommodation sector stated that
• 19 per cent say the accreditation the Green Building Council of
process is too costly and requires Australia’s accreditation only related to
too much effort to pursue. new buildings. Similarly, one third of
respondents were familiar with
Some organisations like business event
Ecotourism Australia’s Nature
service providers do not believe they
Tourism and Advanced Ecotourism
have a need to become accredited.
accreditations, and one quarter with
These operators in the sector tend
the Green Building Council of Australia
not to have regulatory or planning
programs, but commented that they
obligations to become accredited,
felt these accreditation programs were
unlike infrastructure operators such
not relevant to their organisation.
as venues and hotels.
Of those organisations not yet
accredited, half employ less than
10 people. Sixty per cent of this group
reported that accreditation was of
minimal value to their business,
suggesting that the perceived costs of
accreditation outweigh the benefits for
smaller businesses. This view is shared
by almost half of those with between
10-99 employees, and by 30 per cent
of large organisations.
 Green Accreditation

“A notice has been sent to all suppliers requesting

information on their plans with regard to sustainability.
Once received and reviewed, specific requests will be
made to ensure they fit in with our organisation’s policy.”
Marque Hotel, Canberra

Almost one third

(31 per cent) of total
respondents report
they are currently
seeking accreditation.

Left: The new Melbourne Convention

& Exhibition Centre will open in 2009 with
a ‘6 Star Green Star’ environmental rating.

13
 National Corporate Social Responsibility Audit (CSR) | For Australia’s business events sector

CSR Management

“We’ve launched a ‘green team’ at our hotel chain

and there’s a team champion per department.
They are responsible for helping save energy at the hotel.”
Langham Hotel, Melbourne

Allocation of responsibility Written CSR Policies & Strategies

Two thirds of Audit respondents have
Two thirds of Audit
for CSR issues reflects the
profile and importance
written policies, strategies and plans respondents have
relating to environment, sustainability
of CSR in an organisation. and CSR. For almost three quarters written policies, plans
The business events
(71 per cent), company policy is a major
driver, followed by the need to meet
and strategies relating
industry was asked who has regulatory obligations, which is named to environment,
by 57 per cent of Audit participants.
responsibility for strategic These pressures are felt more keenly by sustainability and CSR.
CSR decision making and bigger organisations and international
for day-to-day management chains, where the vast majority
(75 per cent or more) report adopting
of CSR issues. Respondents CSR policies in response to company
were also asked how they policy and regulatory obligations.
promote CSR issues within Main drivers behind the adoption
their organisations and of a written CSR policy are illustrated
in Chart 5 (at right).
whether they measure
their environmental impact. Thirteen per cent of respondents
said they were yet to adopt any CSR
Strategic CSR Decision-Making policy or strategy. Of these, one third
Responsibility for CSR within nominated a lack of time as a key
organisations appears to be widespread. reason; while 31 per cent saw no
For almost two thirds (62 per cent) of perceived value in, or urgency for,
total respondents, major responsibility a CSR policy.
for CSR decisions lies with senior
management, while half advised the
Board and Executive also have some
responsibility. Forty per cent also
pointed to general staff and one third
to middle management as being tasked
with making some CSR decisions.
In large organisations employing over
100 people and international chains,
CSR responsibility rests across multiple
layers of management, with two thirds
of respondents from these segments
saying that each layer has some
responsibility for CSR issues.

14
 CSR Management

Chart 5: Main Drivers and Motivation for Written Policies, Strategies and Plans

71%
58%
74%
79%
81%
84%
Company policy

57%
44%
41%
46%
78%
To meet
71%
regulatory obligations

49%
37%
40%
38%
68%
57%
To align with industry trends

40%
31%
28%
35%
58%
Enhance CSR credentials
57%
and reputation

38%
26%
31%
15%
57%
53%
Client demand

26%
34%
31%
19%
20%
21%

Total
Less than 10 employees
10 to 49 employees
50 to 99 employees
100+ employees
International Brand/Chain

Question 10: What was the main driver for consideration or implementation of this written policy, strategy or plan.
Please select as many as applicable. Base: Organisations that have a written policy, strategy or plan.
 National Corporate Social Responsibility Audit (CSR) | For Australia’s business events sector
“We appointed a building services manager to oversee
the three sites we operate. He has a budget and looks at
ways to reduce our energy use and manage all types of
material incomings and outgoings. Each year he has saved
the company more than the initiative costs.”
Wests Hospitality Group
Day-to-Day Management of CSR Issues
When it comes to the day-to-day
management of CSR issues and
implementation of policy, 37 per cent
of respondents say that a specific team
or individual has been appointed to
manage matters. Focusing on key
respondents, almost half (48 per cent)
assign specific teams/individuals
to manage CSR issues, particularly
Convention & Exhibition Centres
(88 per cent) and venues (62 per cent).
Notably, 65 per cent of large
organisations employing over 100
people, and international chains have
specific personnel dedicated to
day-to-day management of CSR.
16
Changing Behaviour: Internal
Communication of CSR Issues
When it comes to communicating
CSR priorities across the organisation
and changing organisational culture,
Audit participants report a wide
range of channels of communication.
• Almost two thirds (63 per cent)
promote a recycling culture
• 55 per cent include CSR issues within
new employee induction programs
• 55 per cent have clear CSR signage
in the office
• Around 40 per cent of respondents
include CSR issues in training programs
• One third have a staff ‘Green
Committee’ and feature CSR matters
in employee newsletters, and
• On average, 16 per cent have
CSR Award programs.
However, the Audit results show that
larger organisations use more channels
of communication to spread the
CSR message. On average, more than
three quarters (76 per cent) of these
organisations raise awareness and
discuss CSR issues through each of
the channels mentioned above and
40 per cent have CSR Award programs.
Similarly, the majority of international
chains (over 70 per cent) report using
the full range of communication tools
to raise the internal profile of CSR issues,
compared to a significantly lower use
of initiatives by domestic respondents.
Measuring Environmental Impact
Most respondents (69 per cent) said
they did not participate in accredited
greenhouse gas offset programs, while
15 per cent said they were unsure
whether they did or not. The remaining
16 per cent named a wide range of
offset programs they participated in,
including Carbon Planet, Carbon
Reduction Institute and Climate Friendly.
Nearly one third of total respondents (30
per cent) calculate their carbon footprint,
although this figure is considerably
higher among large companies (52 per
cent) and international chains (48 per
cent) compared to Australian companies
(19 per cent). For those which do
calculate their carbon footprint, most
(79 per cent) do so in consultation
with a third party, such as Todae,
Planet Footprint or Missing Link.
What is striking in the Audit results
is the dedication of international
operators, which form one third of
the Audit respondents, to developing
CSR policies, taking steps to change
behaviours and to monitoring progress.
Sixty per cent of these green accredited
international companies say that they
follow head office requirements relating
to ecologically responsible practices,
with the figure climbing to 75 per cent
for those with more than 100 employees.
Importantly, 90 per cent of these
international companies are prepared
to be held accountable for their
performance in mandated initiatives,
which are made publicly available.
 National Corporate Social Responsibility Audit | For Australia’s business events sector

Green Products and Initiatives

“We have a carbon offset program and are part of Rainforest Rescue.
We’re mindful of, and work with, individual clients’ needs and have
created a philosophy of synchronising the whole business event
with the resort’s focus of relaxation, wellness and the environment.”
The Byron at Byron Resort & Spa

Client demand for green Driving the Demand for Green Product
The Audit results identify the
In the last year
product is a significant driver
of CSR policies and practices
international markets perceived to be almost two thirds
driving the demand for CSR product.
in organisations. The Two thirds of respondents say the (61 per cent) of
business events industry was European market is the most interested
in green products and services. Half
Audit respondents
asked to indicate whether also point to the United States of noticed an increase
such demand is increasing; America and the United Kingdom, but
from which domestic and only one quarter perceives increased in client demand
international markets;
demand for green offerings from Asia.
for ecologically
Among domestic markets, respondents
and to what extent they nominate New South Wales (70%) and responsible products,
are responding by offering
low impact options.
Victoria (64%) as the most interested
in seeing ecologically responsible
services & operations.
products and practices offered by the
Respondents also indicated Business Events industry.
the range of in-house and
external initiatives they
use to reduce their
environmental impact and
the extent to which they
benchmark these efforts.
Increased Demand for Green Product
In the last year almost two thirds
(61 per cent) of Audit respondents
noticed an increase in client demand
for ecologically responsible products,
services and operations. More than
three quarters (78 per cent) of large
businesses and international chains
report increased demand from
their clients.
Some sectors of the industry have felt
this increased demand for ecologically
sustainable products and services
more strongly than others. It is noted
by 88 per cent of Convention &
Exhibition Centres, 81 per cent of
venues, 75 per cent of retail operators
and 69 per cent of accommodation
providers. Yet less than a third of
transport operators, attractions and
travel agents report the same
increased demand.
17
 National Corporate Social Responsibility Audit (CSR) | For Australia’s business events sector
“Our clients have the option of purchasing ‘green’
power for their event. Recycle bins are already in place,
so they are not negotiable.”
Perth Convention & Exhibition Centre
CSR Responses to Client Demand
While 61 per cent of the respondents
perceive increased demand for eco
products over the last year, only
30 per cent actually offer clients a
choice between low environmental
impact and regular event options.
Larger organisations, international
chains and those respondents who
are green accredited are much more
responsive to client demand, with
55 per cent of these segments offering
low impact options.
By sector, 88 per cent of Convention
& Exhibition Centres offer low impact
options to clients, ahead of venues
(defined as unique venues or dedicated
function venues) at 53 per cent, business
event management companies (this
includes destination management
companies; professional conference
organisers; inbound tour operators;
incentive house/agents and; theming
and special event companies) at 49 per
cent, and business events services
(defined as suppliers to the business
events industry) at 47 per cent.
A wide range of eco offerings were
identified by Audit respondents. The
most popular low impact choices are:
• 42 per cent offer specific day-to-day
practices (such as using soy-based ink)
• 40 per cent assist or donate to
overseas aid
• 33 per cent use carbon offsets,
reduce their carbon footprint and
emissions, and
• 25 per cent participate in waste
management and recycling programs.
18
Programs to Reduce
Environmental Impacts
To help reduce environmental impacts
Audit respondents undertake in-house
programs as well as participate in
external initiatives. Close to three
quarters (76 per cent) of respondents
report actively reducing their in-house
energy and water use. Around 60 per
cent say they have special programs
for increasing the eco-efficiency of
materials used, and for enhancing
the wellbeing of local communities.
Currently, the use of green power
and renewable energy is popular
with one third of respondents.
While 45 per cent of the total
respondents (55 per cent of key
respondents) give special consideration
to the employment of Australian
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
people, this figure is much higher for
larger organisations (74 per cent) and
international chains (65 per cent).
The vast majority of Audit respondents
(84 per cent) give preference to locally
sourced products and services and 71
per cent prefer to use locally sourced
food products. More than 90 per cent
of key respondents, such as Convention
& Exhibition Centres, accommodation
providers and venues, give preference to
locally sourced products and services.
Given these initiatives, there is potential
to influence businesses right along the
supply chain, as currently 39 per cent of
the industry advises suppliers of their
organisation’s commitment to CSR.
Over half (56 per cent) of Audit
respondents report participating in
external initiatives to raise awareness
of CSR issues. Again, greater numbers
of large organisations (75 per cent)
and international chains (66 per cent)
participate in these programs. Specific
causes, such as Plant a Tree Day (29
per cent) and supporting nominated
charities (12 per cent) are the most
popular among a wide range of programs.
Benchmarking
While close to three quarters (72 per
cent) of respondents believe their
organisation is committed to continual
improvement through benchmarking
environmental impacts, only 40 per
cent actually track target energy
and water usage and waste levels.
However more large organisations and
international chains are committed to
benchmarking (86 per cent), and more
of these organisations actually do track
their performance in CSR programs
(70 per cent). In comparison, only 22
per cent of domestic operations monitor
their energy, water and waste levels.
 Green Products and Initiatives

“All the products we use are Australian made/grown where possible.

Legal leftover food is donated to OzHarvest and our staff are
encouraged and given time off to assist charity organisations.”
Encore

Close to three quarters

(76 per cent) of
respondents report
actively reducing
their in-house energy
and water use.

Left: The Byron at Byron Resort & Spa offer

rainforest rescue initiatives as part of their
business event programs.

19
 National Corporate Social Responsibility Audit (CSR) | For Australia’s business events sector
Conclusions
The information collected
in the National Corporate
Social Responsibility Audit
has demonstrated that the
Business Events industry in
Australia is on the way to
developing an industry that
is socially responsible and
ecologically sustainable,
and one that is committed
to developing best practice
standards to achieve this.
The Audit results show that levels of
green accreditation are rising among
the Business Events industry in Australia
and are set to remain a focus over the
next few years. However, also notable
is the statement by 31 per cent of
organisations that they lack sufficient
guidance from the relevant national
bodies and/or associations about
accreditation issues. Audit results
indicate that much of the industry is
not familiar with the different types
of accreditation, or believe that many
are simply not relevant.
20
With more than one quarter of Larger organisations and international
respondents reporting having difficulty businesses are well ahead of the game
gathering the information required in this respect. Only 10 per cent of
to complete the accreditation process, these organisations cannot identify
it is possible that while organisations the source of this demand.
are keen to become accredited they
do not have the resources to capture
By comparison, 30 per cent of
domestic operations cannot identify
the kind of information required by
the source of demand.
accreditation programs. It is also
significant to note the disparity between It would appear that accreditation goes
hand in hand with action on CSR issues.
States and Territories in attainment
of green accreditation. Senior management generally has
Lack of familiarity with the different responsibility over CSR matters.
accreditations is making it difficult The Audit shows the Business Events
for organisations to choose the sector in Australia has pursued
most appropriate. accreditation amongst bigger operators.
The Audit results show that large Smaller operators appear to require
organisations and international chains more assistance indicating an area of
are better equipped and resourced opportunity for educating the sector.
to undertake steps to develop and
An interesting indicator, is that suppliers
implement CSR initiatives. However,
to the sector are also being asked for
more information and assistance is
evidence of CSR policies.
required for smaller businesses who
don’t always have the resources The Audit has provided crucial evidence
to pursue accreditation initiatives. to inform marketing, as well as a clear
snapshot of the CSR health of the sector
Given these initiatives, there is
in Australia.
potential to influence businesses right
along the supply chain, as at present
only 39 per cent of the industry
advises suppliers of their organisation’s
commitment to CSR.
There is also a noticeable gap between
a commitment to continual improvement
and actually benchmarking activities,
which suggests that good intentions
are not always translating into practice.
For more information about the National CSR Audit, please contact:
Joyce DiMascio
Head of Business Events Australia
Telephone: +61 2 9361 1731, Email: jdimascio@tourism.australia.com
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