Natural resources
This part of the guide shows how you can:
- reduce carbon emissions,
- conduct a waste audit,
- reduce use of energy/use renewable energy,
- deal with hazardous substances,
- use water wisely, and
- recycle.
Ministry for the Environment resources
The Ministry for the Environment (MfE) has many useful resources in its “Publications” section.
Their 'Guide to sustainable office fit outs' is very good, and covers many things including efficient energy use, water use and waste management planning.
www.mfe.govt.nz/publications/sus-dev/office-fitouts-dec05/index.html
A useful introduction to Hazardous substances is at: www.mfe.govt.nz/issues/hazardous/ and there is a detailed guide for businesses and organisations at: www.hsno.govt.nz/hs.shtm.
Recycling systems in multi-tenanted buildings is in the MfE's 'sustainable development' section. This includes:
- how to minimise waste
- how to set up recycling systems,
- undertaking a waste audit
www.mfe.govt.nz/publications/sus-dev/recycling-jan04/index.html
Sustainability.govt.nz
New Zealand government website on sustainability to help reduce your impact on the environment and save money. It covers topics on rubbish, water, energy, building, transport, shopping, and gardening, and includes advice, tips, case studies, and a discussion forum on the key elements of living sustainably.
www.sustainability.govt.nz
Envirostep
Envirostep is a web-based assessment tool to help organisations determine their environmental performance. It was developed by the Ministry of Economic Development in collaboration with a number of others. It provides users with:
- an environmental performance score and profile;
- recommendations (to reduce operating costs, environmental impacts & risk);
- an action plan (to implement selected recommendations);
- over 300 links to other environmental tools, service providers & further information.
http://www.eco-verification.med.govt.nz/envirostep
Community Outcomes - Sustainability Resources
Guidance and tools for applying sustainable thinking to decision-making, and examples of 'taking a sustainable development approach'.
www.communityoutcomes.govt.nz/web/coutcomes.nsf/unid/CFIN-7FG7J6?openDocument
Clearing the Air: Reducing NGO Contributions to Climate Change
This guide, from the Council for International Development, looks at ways Aotearoa New Zealand Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) can take action and reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions generated through their activities. It contains suggestions, examples, resources and steps NGOs can take to mitigate their organisation’s contribution to climate change.
http://www.cid.org.nz/publications/ClimatechangeCIDA4.pdf (PDF document, 2.3 Mb)
Sustainable Southland
The Sustainable Southland website offers a collection of resources to help with sustainable practices: information, advice, funding, accreditation and networks. While the site is aimed at businesses, community organisations will find the information on sustainability issues very useful.
http://www.sustainablesouthland.co.nz/Topics.aspx
GreenBiz Business Sustainability How-To guides and tools
The American GreenBiz.com website has a wealth of them at
www.greenbiz.com
Two of the many guides are:
There are many more at:
www.greenbiz.com/toolbox/tools.cfm
Environmental sustainability in urban environments
Living Space: towards sustainable settlements in New Zealand.
Editors: Claire Freeman and Michelle Thompson-Fawcett.
Publisher: University of Otago Press,
ISBN: 1 877276 45 6
Available through Dept of Internal Affairs library or interloan from your public library.
Nonprofit Guide to Going Green
Author/Editors: Ted Hart (Author), Adrienne D. Capps (Editor), Matthew Bauer (Editor).
Publisher: Wiley
ISBN: 0470529822
The Nonprofit Guide to Going Green is a comprehensive learning tool to guide nonprofits and NGOs towards becoming greener. A desktop reference for any charitable organization to become greener, the book features contributions from experts from around the globe and gives organizations the support they need to take proactive steps to protect the environment while fulfilling their mission.
- Helps nonprofits green their efforts and reduce their carbon footprint
- Shows CEOs, presidents, deans, marketing officers, board members proactive steps they can take to protect the environment
- Teaches how to do a self-audit and plan for a more environmentally sensitive future.