#CarbonNeutralBusiness: How CCIQ is setting an agenda in environmentally friendly business practices
Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland (CCIQ) is leading a transformative agenda to accelerate the state’s business community to be more diversified, resilient and competitive through sustainability.
CCIQ this month became the first state chamber in Australia to achieve carbon neutrality following a year-long refocus on how staff used electricity, transportation and recycled waste.
It comes as the Queensland Parliament today voted in favor of the government's commitment to net zero emissions by 2050.
CCIQ Chief Commercial Officer Alex Zafiriadis said CCIQ had the ability to set an agenda among hundreds of thousands of small businesses across the state.
“CCIQ values the importance of sustainability, not only for us but for the influence we have to drive a sustainable focus in small business Queensland-wide,” he said.
“Adopting sustainable business practices is an operational priority among small businesses aiming to reduce production waste and save on utility expenditure.
“These businesses leverage a high quality reputation among the business community and their staff who already value the impact they are able to make in working sustainably.
“A sustainable focus ensures we’re making a positive impact on the environment we all depend on to do business.”
Mr Zafiriadis said the sustainability led change also responded to increasing global demand for products and services with a low or offset environmental footprint.
“We already know sustainable businesses are highly regarded for procurement and tender opportunities in Queensland and we’re seeing a focus on sustainability in the lead-up to Brisbane Olympics in 2032,” he said.
“There is a decade of infrastructure and businesses investment in the pipeline and those who are already carbon neutral or have a sustainability focus are best placed to make the most of those opportunities.”
Mr Zafiriadis said CCIQ as a workplace took a series of steps to achieve carbon neutrality, starting with leading a transformation in the way staff thought about their environmental footprint, including turning off computers at the end of the day, reducing waste sent to landfill and making the most of public transport.
He said Queensland businesses could investigate how they could save money on their water, energy and waste bills as well as reduce their carbon footprint through CCIQ’s free ecoBiz program, funded by the Queensland Government.
“Business can develop an action plan with the help of an ecoBiz expert to save money and increase efficiencies towards becoming more sustainable,” Mr Zafiriadis said.
“More than 90% of businesses who have taken part in the program recorded an increase in productivity and savings.”
For details on CCIQ’s free ecoBiz program see the ecoBiz website.
Queensland businesses are able to help form the way CCIQ advocates to government on their behalf. Share feedback on business confidence and outlook and topics relevant to the sector, like sustainability, via the September Quarter Pulse Survey.
CCIQ media contact
Emma Clarke
Media and Communications Advisor
[email protected] | 0403 944 902