OCS New Zealand has taken a major step towards achieving its strategic objective of being one of the most environmentally sustainable businesses in its sector by 2030.
It has been certified for the Toitū carbonreduce endorsement by the accrediting organisation Toitū Envirocare (formerly known as Enviro-Mark).
The cleaning and facilities management company, which has major clients in government, education and aviation, gained the endorsements after a rigorous audit process.
From 2017 to 2018, OCS demonstrated a significant reduction in carbon emissions: it cut total gross emissions by 19 per cent.
As a result, OCS’ tonnage of carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalent went down from 2,509.14 in 2017 to 2,013.59 in 2018, with the trend continuing this year.
The Toitū carbonreduce programme involve participant organisations accurately measuring their greenhouse gas emissions and putting in place strategies to manage and reduce their impacts. Compliance is independently verified each year in order to maintain the certifications.
OCS NZ managing director Gareth Marriott said it’s a proud achievement for the organisation.
“Gaining these endorsements is an important part of our overall commitment to better business and a smaller footprint. OCS is part of the Sustainable Business Council and I have a personal role as a member of the Climate Leaders’ Coalition. The Toitū Envirocare process gives us ongoing emissions targets and milestones to measure our progress by.”
In order to obtain the Toitū certification, OCS needed to demonstrate actions it had taken to achieve emissions reductions in this and other key areas.
In particular, air travel (both international and domestic), private car use and electricity have been significantly reduced in line with targets.
“We still have some way to go, but that’s the beauty of being involved with Toitū Envirocare – it’s an ongoing commitment to setting and achieving fresh targets each year, and what that means is we have to keep coming up with new and innovative ways of doing things.
“It’s an attitude we have had for a long time in terms of service and business innovation, but more than ever it is important for large companies like OCS to step up and apply that same sort of brain power and problem-solving to meeting the challenge of lowering our emissions.”
Marriot said clients and partners are increasingly receptive to the sustainability initiatives OCS is taking, and many organisations appreciate the efforts because they fit with their own sustainability goals.
“It’s become an essential element of modern business. We work with top companies who, like OCS, are here for the long term. So, it is important for us to strive for our sustainability objectives to meet our partners’ needs as well as our own goals.”
OCS has received the Toitū carbonreduce endorsement for 2017/18, and will undergo the audit process for 2019 once final figures have been determined.
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