Australian Industry Group sustainability covenant
EPA Victoria and the Australian Industry Group (Ai Group) signed a sustainability covenant on 31 August 2006 formalising their commitment to work together to support Ai Group’s 4000 Victorian member businesses to move further towards achieving environmentally sustainable business outcomes. This covenant falls under section 49AA of the Environment Protection Act 1970 and will operate for a period of three years supported by funding of $3 million.
- Download the Ai Group sustainability covenant (Adobe PDF file, 1420KB)
Ai Group is Australia’s leading industry organisation representing businesses of all sizes in manufacturing sectors such as metals finishing, food, paper, printing, packaging, automotive, textiles along with construction, telecommunications, IT, transport, labour hire and other industries.
The sectors represented account for $100 billion in turnover, $25 billion in exports and employ one million people. It is also responsible for the single largest employment sector, and as such has a major role in structuring the way Victorian society and economy functions.
Ai Group sees the adoption of innovative environmental practices as a key strategy for protecting our environment while enhancing the competitiveness of Australian industry.
The covenant provides a mechanism to improve the performance of industry, reduce impacts on the environment and for recognising the challenges that are emerging for local industry in working towards a sustainable future. It provides a framework for integrating environmental initiatives and moving towards beyond compliance performance in a wide cross-section of Victoria’s manufacturing.
EPA and Ai Group recognise the importance of the traditional interaction aimed at maintaining strong site based controls for industry. However, modern social demands highlight a significant opportunity for EPA, Ai Group and the community to work together to achieve improved environmental outcomes across the entire life cycle of products and services.
This sustainability covenant enables Ai Group to drive and shape its own sustainability framework and facilitate Ai Group members to develop their own sustainability agenda in a public forum. It also enables EPA to provide statutory recognition to Ai Group’s environmental and sustainability leadership.
For more information visit the Ai Group website.
Contact details
If you would like to know more regarding the approved projects, future opportunities or the covenant agreement please contact:
EPA Victoria
Business Sustainability Unit
40 City Road
Southbank Victoria 3006
Telephone: (03) 9695 2722
Send an email
or
Vicki Pryse
Australian Industry GroupTelephone: (03) 9867 0111
Send an email