6th Australian Sustainability Awards
25 January 2007 at 11:30 am
Ethical Investor Magazines’s 6th Annual Australian Sustainability Awards were announced in December capping off what has been described as a huge year for sustainability in Australia.
The Ethical Fund of the Year Award went to BT Ethical Share Fund. Insurance Australia Group was named the Sustainable Company of the Year and Blackmores the Sustainable Small Company of the Year.
A Special Award for Environment went to CO2 Group; a Special Award for Social/Community went to Suncorp-Metway; a Special Award for Corporate Governance went to Wesfarmers; and a Special Award for Labor Relations went to ANZ Banking Group.
Ethical Investor founder and editor, Michael Walsh says there is no question that 2006 was a huge year for sustainability in Australia.
Walsh says in the world of corporate social responsibility (CSR), socially responsible investment (SRI) and community support, a lot of positive progress has been achieved – by business, by investment specialists and from the Not for Profit sector.
He says more companies produced sustainability reports in 2006 and these more clearly indicate the progress being made in the business world.
This was reflected in the Awards Nominations as 12 of the 26 companies were nominated for the first time and there were four nominations based on water management initiatives.
The Awards recognise outstanding achievements by Australian Stock Exchange listed companies in a range of areas of corporate sustainability.
Ethical Investors says Insurance Australia Group (IAG) was recognised for its company-wide determination to be a good corporate and environmental citizen.
An Energy Management Plan aimed at reducing the Group’s overall carbon emissions has reduced its emissions by 6%.
