Zenergy's Pathway to Sustainability

What does Sustainability mean to Zenergy? The sharing process

Being a sustainable company means many different things for an organisation, let alone the individuals that make up an organisation. Zenergy's quest for sustainability is expressed in their mission 'Whole people cooperating in a sustainable world', but what does it mean for Zenergy's work in training and consulting?

Zenergy's philosophies are grounded in a belief in the whole person, and hence have a strong focus on the social side of sustainability, with less of a focus on the environmental and economic (these three elements being the triple bottom line (TBL), a measurement tool of sustainability). Zenergy's strong focus on the social; in the type of work that they do, their company focus and the community and voluntary work conducted, has them well grounded and aware of what's involved in being a socially sustainable company. How they then find a balance of all three elements is part of this recent exploration, but it is also an ongoing discussion that may well involve a number of their stakeholders, and potentially an even broader audience.

Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) - The principles and indicators of sustainability

The GRI a compilation of Sustainability Reporting Guidelines, is a reference document used to create TBL reports. Zenergy do not have a TBL report, instead the GRI's principles and indicators were utilized to develop a 'health check' of Zenergy's TBL practices. Zenergy is a small company and as such can be quite specific and directional in how it chooses to make a difference.

Referencing all of the indicators in the GRI (whether relevant at this stage or not), we looked at the practices and processes of Zenergy, from the cleaning products they use, through to where profits go and the level of training each member of Zenergy receives.

The first four principles Transparency, Inclusiveness, Auditability and Completeness (the remaining seven are more appropriate to an actual TBL report), were used as a reference point to review the literature and website of Zenergy.

So where is Zenergy now?

Zenergy's core is their work in co-operacy - the technology used in collective decision making. They are a company that wants to make a difference and are willing and able to commit to the ideals and processes to do this. They are also very willing to share and learn from their experiences, and request feedback from clients, graduates and readers of their books. Being socially responsible is an integral part of how Zenergy operates, this being the case there are still areas of their operations and practice that can be enhanced.

Where to for Zenergy?

Zenergy wish to be a sustainable company. They are not going to be able to do it on their own and so accessing and communicating with stakeholders will be an integral part of the pathway.

Plan of immediate Actions

1. ACTION: Core team to decide on Zenergy's definition of sustainability - using various references, including information that Dale sourced as part of her thesis.

2. ACTION: Core team to discuss ways of including stakeholders views in Zenergy's TBL practices and aspirations.

3. ACTION: Bring the two accounting teams together to develop a standardised approach, one that could also be used in the event of other offices opening. This includes clarifying processes and having them written down so non-accounts personnel can provide information that is clear and concise.

4. ACTION: Utilise and enhance processes where they already exist, for example the Assistants document and the Procedure Manual document created in Wellington.

5. ACTION: What is profit in Zenergy terms? What does Zenergy do with profits made?

6. ACTION: Use alternative transport to cars such as, train, bus, bike or walk.

7. ACTION: Investigate the use of venues that can support your ideals on as many sustainability levels as possible.

8. ACTION: Minimise type and quantity of cleaning products. Utilise products that are: biodegradable and in refillable containers, otherwise in recycled or recyclable containers.

9. ACTION: Create a waste management system that allows for full separation of all recyclables and compostables.

10. ACTION: Create an approved suppliers form and list, where preferences for TBL companies are put into place.

11. ACTION: Create an induction for people doing work with Zenergy, so that they are aware of the practices and procedures before they start. This should cover such things as safety, recycling, travel and use of venues.

12. ACTION: Publish the IAF code of ethics in the training manuals so that customers/ graduates have an external reference with which to assess Zenergy.

Supporting documentation

· Indicator table
· Matrix of actions
· Pictorial table of Indicators
· Literature review
· Zenergy's stakeholders
· Some definitions of Sustainability
· Zenergy Project Diary - diary of a TBL consultant

References
· Sustainability Reporting Guidelines, Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) 2002

Longer term ideas (not indicator specific)
· Develop a sector supplement for the 'facilitators' sector - ref GRI p10
· Share the dilemmas with your stakeholders of how 'best' to make a difference on TBL.
· Investigate becoming signatories to the UN Global Compact www.unglobalcompact.org

Prepared by Jane Ward 15 November 2002.