Sustainability Group

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Definition of Sustainability

Sustainability is the quality of a state or process that allows it to be maintained indefinitely. The principles of sustainability integrate three closely interlinked elements - the environment, the economy, and the social system - in a manner that can be continuously developed and nurtured.

Purpose

The purpose of the Hargraves Institute Sustainability Group is for members to assist each other on matters that impact on pre-competitive interests regarding sustainability issues and best practice delivery in the Australasian community.

Aims
The Sustainability Group aims to:
  1. Create special interest groups and projects amongst members
  2. Achieve leverage from individual member insights and experiences to deliver greener outcomes for all participants
  3. Through access to information and training, assist members achieve effective cultural and operational change in the area of sustainability.
  4. Share work that has been conducted in the areas of people, process and product innovation that impact on sustainability.
  5. Promote best operational practice through collective wisdom that otherwise would not be available.
  6. Engage with government agencies and foster a cross-sectorial culture of continuous innovation and best practice in order to compete globally.
  7. Identify opportunities for collaboration and create project clusters amongst Hargraves Institute Members, achieving measurable outcomes.
  8. Be a reference point for government in shaping sustainability policy and to make submissions to influence policy setting as collectively agreed by members.
  9. Stimulate the development of talented people working for Hargraves Institute members and assist them to improve sustainability performance and form effective alliances with leading thinkers in human resource capability.
  10. Assist members to access external funding sources for collaborative sustainability projects.
  11. As Convenor the Hargraves Institute will act as a reference point for sustainability enquiries from members.
Activities
Legislative Culture Supply Chain Innovations Customers Benchmarking
Influencing policy and contributing to White Paper development Training Manufacturers Consumers Metrics
Regulations Education Suppliers Trade Customers Industry Standards
Reporting Communications Products
Services
Packaging
Transport

Structure

The structure of the Hargraves Institute Sustainability Group will be reviewed annually to ensure operational success and relevance. In principle:

  1. Group participants will be limited to first line manager/senior executives of their member firms/organisations. Additional expertise may be co-opted as agreed up to a maximum of two people per company.
  2. For consistency no more than one representative per company/organisation may participate in the Group or any project groups that may be formed at any one time. However, alternates are permitted at the discretion of the Hargraves Institute and Sustainability Group Chairman.
  3. The size of the Sustainability Group will be determined from time to time in order to achieve operational effectiveness.
  4. It is proposed that the Committee meets four times per year, generally alternating between Sydney and Melbourne. Out-of-session requirements may give rise to extra-ordinary meetings, teleconference meetings etc.
  5. Members or agreed alternates will be required to attend all four meetings to ensure dynamic and robust discussion and that action is maintained at the highest level.
  6. All Sustainability Group members will be expected to provide input as requested by the Convenor and to meet the established deadlines in order to achieve effective representation and outcomes.
  7. Meetings are expected to be disciplined and constructive and it is the Sustainability Group Chairman's discretion as to how long individual agenda items are debated.
  8. Project Groups may be established through member agreement and will be asked to report periodically to the Sustainability Group.
Chairperson/Deput Chairperson
Term of Office and Incumbents

It is recommended that both the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Hargraves Sustainability Group are elected annually. The incumbent may nominate to extend their term of service at the expiry of each term. Roles currently filled by:

Chairperson: Mr Geoff Spowart, Dulux Australia

Deputy Chairperson: Mr Bruce Mewjork, George Weston Foods

Sustainability Group Convenor

In conjunction with the Sustainability Group Chairperson, the Hargraves Institute, will act as Convenor and will be responsible for the planning and co-ordination of meetings, submissions and correspondence.

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