ACC Wins Sustainability Awards - Again
ACC Wins Sustainability Awards - Again
The Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) has again been recognised for outstanding performance in developing sustainable practices.
The Govt3 Awards were held on Wednesday night and ACC received awards from the Prime Minister on each of the categories it entered.
Overall Winner - Leadership in Govt3 (for agencies with more than 200 staff)
Winner - Sustainable Procurement Practice
Highly Recommended - Sustainable Transport
More information on each of these awards follows on the next page.
“In keeping with the direction set by Government for sustainability across the public sector, ACC is committed to limiting waste and minimising the consumption of energy and resources”, said Dr Jan White, ACC Chief Executive.
“These awards, which come on top of similar recognition last year, demonstrate a commitment to sustainability that should position ACC very well into the future. ACC is committed to being a good corporate citizen by delivering on its mission in an environmentally, economically and socially responsible manner”, Dr White added.
ACC is now developing baseline measures and performance targets to measure progress in waste/recycling, carbon reduction and energy saving. At the same time, more comprehensive action plans for the next three years are under development.
Current initiatives include:
Adding sustainability requirements to contracts and tender evaluations
Purchasing seven fuel-saving hybrid cars for the ACC fleet
Recycling or donating used computers and furniture
Recycling plastic, paper, glass, aluminium and tin
Implementing an internal Sustainable Workplace Action Plan (SWAP), which teaches and encourages staff new ways to reduce, re-use or recycle.
Encouraging a reduction of staff air-travel by using video-conferencing
Active membership of the New Zealand Business Council for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Business Network
Employing a staff member dedicated to managing ACC’s sustainability programme.
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Further information on the ACC Awards:
Govt3 Leadership
ACC has integrated sustainability into its statement of intent and business strategy, showing senior management support. This level of support allows those implementing the various initiatives to really drive their progress. ACC’s view is that behaving in a socially responsible way means being committed to running a sustainable business and contributing positively to society and the environment. Further sustainable value is exhibited in leveraging the relationships with partners, contractors, providers, suppliers and injury prevention programme contacts to encourage/infuse sustainable best practice among those with whom the Corporation has partnerships.
Sustainable Procurement Practices
ACC has had sustainable procurement practices in place for some time. Integration of good procurement practice has resulted in mandatory sustainability clauses and relative sustainability weightings across major contracts. Performance reviews on suppliers of goods and services provide a collaborative supplier approach toward opportunities for improvement. These include upgrade of copiers and printers, housing modifications for claimants, rental vehicle efficiencies and carbon offsetting, facilities management and design. ACC has proactively sought to increase the sustainable procurement knowledge base by supporting workshops / forums and supporting its staff in delivering procurement best practice.
Sustainable Transport
ACC has maintained a fleet, of approximately 200 vehicles, with a small engine capacity (95% under 1,800cc) for a number of years for both efficiency and safety reasons. The vehicle policy provides the basis for all fleet management and has been strengthened over the last couple of years to help improve fleet efficiencies. Opportunities for consideration of whole-of-life costing has allowed the purchase of seven petrol-electric hybrid cars to replace less efficient vehicles (saving on average 3.25 L/100km per vehicle). ACC has investigated variations in fleet vehicle efficiencies and implemented improvement mechanisms on a continuous basis; the average stated fleet efficiency is 7.6 L/100km. To strengthen alternatives to travel, ACC has installed video-conference facilities across key sites, reducing dependence on travel.