Creating a better future

What Makes a Successful Sustainability Program?

Change2 recently attended the Optimising Sustainability Performance Forum in Sydney. The event was run by The 3 Pillars Network and promoted as an independent forum of leaders to advance Australia’s property sustainability programs.

It was really interesting to witness the panel session on “How did Australia create sustainability programs that lead the world?” The panel which consisted of sustainability managers from property companies and also a representative from NSW Department of Climate Change and Water were asked to individually rate what they thought were the key principles for a successful sustainability program.

The following is a list of four key principles that had two or more votes from the panel.

Simplicity of messages and programs
Clear connection to value drivers
Accountability / Monitoring
Inspirations and leadership from an executive level

The following also rated highly on the panel’s priorities

Resources
Stakeholder Engagement
Planning and defining short & long term goals
Access to knowledge sharing

We would be interested in finding out your thoughts on whether you agree with the panel or have a few suggestions of your own. What has been your experience?

Tags: 3 Pillars Network, Optimising Sustainability Performance Forum, Successful Sustainability Program

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Comment by Richard Milroy on May 21, 2010 at 1:07pm: this is a good summary thanks Lee.

3Pillars is looking at opening up this event beyond the property industry, to a broader audience of people who run sustainability programmes in business and government. If anyone is interested in this programme as speaker or participant, please contact us on 02 9555 5240.

Comment by James Vosper on May 20, 2010 at 12:51pm: Lee

These are great principles, especially the stakeholder engagement and Accountability/Monitoring. If it can't be measured how can it be saved. One thing that I would add is that it is important to get started as soon as possible and not to make fear of making mistakes a barrier.

James