New report shows more than half of Queensland businesses need support to realise sustainable business benefits

By Emma Clarke

Queensland businesses are making sustainability decisions beyond minimum standards, but more than half are missing out on efficiency benefits from working sustainably, a new report from Business Chamber Queensland shows.

Out now, Business Chamber Queensland’s Advancing Business Sustainability report provides an insightful view into the sustainability practices of the state’s business community and the progress they are making towards sustainability.

This report captures the current state of Queensland businesses in regard to the implementation of sustainable business practices, and the opportunities to progress further.

It found on average businesses were motivated by external influences like consumer demand and a need for sustainable supply chains to make decisions beyond minimum compliance requirements.

The report presents a unique perspective on business sustainability with insight into how the state’s business community approaches sustainability and how developed Queensland businesses are in adopting these practices.

Businesses are scored on their motivation, accountability and ownership of sustainability practices across six levels: disregard, compliance, obligation, efficiency, leadership and purpose.

“We’re leading the accelerated adoption of sustainable business practices so businesses can thrive now and into the future,” Business Chamber Queensland CEO Heidi Cooper said.

“Our findings show many Queensland businesses are motivated and ready to take ownership of sustainability but are lacking the tools and information needed to track their performance and take accountability in this space.

“Adopting sustainable business practices now is simply smart business. The need for sustainable business practices to remain competitive is no longer a question for future leaders but a key strategic planning initiative for the business leaders of today.

“We know the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games has the potential to be an immense catalyst for change.

“For Queensland businesses to be procurement ready, export ready, and embrace opportunities to scale, they must begin their sustainability journey early to be best positioned to take advantage of the benefits of the Games and the growth ahead in Queensland.

“With this report, we hope to help the Queensland business community to better understand the progress they are making towards sustainability and to ensure they are supported and empowered to meet and respond to future challenges and opportunities.”

The report shows four in ten (39%) businesses indicated they had implemented practices at the Efficiency stage or higher.

However, more than half (61%) of Queensland businesses had not progressed further than the Obligation stage and were missing out on benefits of sustainable business practices, including efficiencies and cost savings.

“We know some businesses are lacking the tools and information needed to track their performance and demonstrate how they are working sustainably,” Ms Cooper said.

“There are significant challenges businesses need support in addressing to fully capture the opportunities that come with sustainable business practices.

“A range of internal and external factors create additional barriers to adopting sustainable practices that may prevent a business from progressing further on their sustainability maturity journey.”

Ms Cooper said sustainable businesses were prepared to maximise opportunities as the state moved towards net zero targets.

“The sustainable transformation of the Queensland economy provides an opportunity for significant growth, but we know businesses need more support,” Ms Cooper said.

“We’re supporting businesses to progress their sustainability through our ecoBiz program, in partnership with the Queensland Government, which has now been running for close to a decade.

“Our team of ecoBiz sustainability experts has worked with thousands of Queensland businesses to identify opportunities to reduce water, waste and energy use, increase efficiencies, decrease their carbon footprint and save money.

“Sustainable businesses are future-ready businesses – ready to meet evolving consumer demand, ready to meet supply chain needs, ready to export, and ready to be competitive for procurement opportunities ready to maximise a sustainable Olympics legacy.

“This report comes at a critical time as we plan for the future of Queensland.”

A sustainable business story

Meadowbrook’s B & C Plastics is one thousands of Queensland businesses to benefit from Business Chamber Queensland’s ecoBiz program, helping them to increase efficiencies and save money on water, waste and energy.

B & C Plastics design, develop and manufacture plastic injection model products. The business has been in operation for more than 30 years but Royston and Wendy Kent took over 16 years ago, leading a sustainable change.

Wendy said the business accessed the ecoBiz program in 2019, helping them to cut water and energy use by 10% and waste by 45% within the first year.

“It all started with data and the last 12 months of bills – water and electricity consumption as well as waste,” Wendy said. “Based on that we had a coaching session and were given some ideas on how we could cut down which is invaluable for a business.

“We’ve saved a lot of money, which obviously is a good thing and we’ve saved so much waste going into landfill. We’ve cut down on our power and water so it’s an incredible journey we’ve been on with ecoBiz.

“By joining the program you’re doing the right thing for the environment but also the right thing for your business.”

“We’re really proud of the amount of work we’re doing at the moment in the sustainability space. That’s really exciting for us, something we’re passionate about and believe in strongly.” With the help of an ecoBiz sustainability expert, businesses are supported to develop an action plan to help save money and increase efficiencies.

More than 90% of participating businesses recorded an increase in productivity and savings. For details see ecoBiz.