Sustainability in Business
| Free of Charge Strive 4 Sustainability Scorecard Opportunity |
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Tourism businesses (including accommodation, food and drink, tour and transport, retail, hire and service/attractions) in our Townsville ECO Destination can now register to receive a free $250 Strive 4 Sustainability Scorecard thanks to ongoing support from WWF-Australia’s Australian Wildlife and Nature Recovery Fund for our region. Read about the S4S Scorecard and register your expression of interest. Places are limited. |
Townsville City Council is supporting businesses in taking part of eco certification and sustainability credentials as part of their ongoing commitment to building and maintaining a Sustainable Destination and supporting local business capacity and resilience.
There is no better time to leverage Townsville’s new ECO Destination status and get involved in an exciting community-driven project. There are a range of businesses tracking and progressing their sustainability ratings and utilising best practice resources to save business costs and build business resilience.
Where to start?
A range of programs are available through local, national and global programs. It can be difficult to know where to start, however there are some programs making it easier for business to get involved. A few pathway programs to get started include:
- Strive 4 Sustainability Scorecard – supporting by Ecotourism Australia and Tourism Australia
- ecoBiz Queensland – provided by Business Queensland
- Plastic Free Townsville – provided by Plastic Free Places NQ
- First Nations Cultural Awareness Training – Savannah Guides
- Tourism Training Hub – Australian Tourism Export Council
These programs are starting points for making your business more economically, environmentally, culturally and socially sustainable. The programs will help you build more in-depth, recognised sustainability credentials and training.
Locals Programs Supporting all Business
Established in 2019, Smart Precinct NQ is a not-for-profit organisation that provides a springboard for collaboration, learning and growth through a range of start-up accelerators and incubator programs, business growth advisory services, investment support and events.
Formally Plastic Free Townsville, Plastic Free Places NQ is working with communities to help reduce single-use plastic packaging and create lasting changes towards a circular economy.
Plastic Free Champions are members that have eliminated all of our key plastic items (straws, coffee cups & lids, takeaway containers & lids, foodware (cutlery, plates, cups etc), water bottles & bags).
ecoBiz Queensland provides Queensland businesses with free advice, training and workshops on ways to improve their environmental sustainability and lower operating costs.
This free program helps businesses understand and save on their energy, water and waste costs.
Businesses can access free one-on-one coaching with an expert sustainability consultant who will provide an action plan outlining cost saving measures.
Is your business on Magnetic Island (Yunbenun)?
Free Business Advisors are available to assist and support Magnetic Island business owners.
The Magnetic Island Community Development Association (MICDA) has appointed two business advisors as part of the Community Climate Action Project toward Net Zero. The business advisors will work with businesses on Magnetic Island to help them reduce waste, be more energy efficient and reduce overall costs. Where appropriate, transition to renewables such as solar generation will also be supported. With Townsville recently becoming a certified ECO Destination, it is more important than ever to bring more Magnetic Island businesses into sustainable and eco-accredited business practices.
Business advisors will provide free advice for business owners on Magnetic Island to suit the needs of businesses. This program is available for locals and delivered by locals. It can range from a one-off consultation to a series of engagements based on business needs.
For more information, visit MICDA's Climate Action Project page.
Sustainability accreditations for businesses
Ecotourism Australia:
- Strive 4 Sustainability Scorecard
- ECO Certification (new applicants only)
- Sustainable Tourism Certification (new applicants only)
- Respecting Our Culture Certification
- Climate Action Certification
Queensland Tourism Industry Council:
EarthCheck:
View the accreditation costs (PDF, 183KB) (Source: Business Queensland, Tourism Business Capability Subsidy, Round 2).
Training for Business
- First Nations Cultural Awareness Training
- Savannah Guides
- Tour Guides Australia Council
- Zoo and Aquarium Association Australasia (ZAA)
- ATEC Training Hub
View the training costs (Source: Business Queensland, Tourism Business Capability Subsidy, Round 2).
Benefits of an Environmentally Friendly Business
Business Queensland has put together resources on the benefits of an environmentally friendly business and how to get there. The community and your customers are becoming more environmentally aware and educated, and online resources are available to help. Find out the benefits and advice on the Business Queensland website.
