GreenBizCheck FAQ's
Q. What does GreenBizCheck certification mean?
A. GreenBizCheck's world-leading, online, high impact annual certification program has been heavily researched and comprises the latest European and Asian best practice standards. It covers energy and water conservation, waste reduction and recycling, transportation and travel, and supply chain sustainability. Clients complete an online assessment and receive a comprehensive environmental report containing practical measures to reduce their footprint. Depending on how many eco-actions are implemented, clients reach Bronze (70% of total points score), Silver (80%) or Gold (90%) GreenBizCheck certification.
At this point in time there is no official certifier of the certifiers as corporate sustainability is such a new industry. We have ensured that our standards are very rigorous and that our certification thresholds are set at high, yet achievable, levels. Our three tiered certification standard also allows you to progressively become more sustainable. We are sure that our standards will meet prospective future regulatory requirements. To date we have been scrutinized and accepted by the NSW Government - Department of Premier and Cabinet, Deloitte, David Jones, NRMA, Australian Rainforest Foundation, Julia Ross, Institute of Actuaries, Australian Institute of Management, Financial Planners Association and many others.
Q. What is GreenBizCheck's association with SAI Global - one of the world's largest standards providers?
A. GreenBizCheck has signed a Memorandum of Understanding whereby SAI Global distributes GreenBizCheck's environmental certification program alongside ISO and other standards.
SAI Global provides organizations around the world with information services and solutions for managing risk, achieving compliance and driving business improvement. They provide aggregated access services to Standards, Handbooks, Legislative and Property publications; they audit, certify and register products, systems or supply chains; they facilitate good governance and awareness of compliance, ethics and policy issues and provide training and improvement solutions to help individuals and organizations succeed.
Q. Why is certification annual?
A. Every three months GreenBizCheck adds the latest international research into the assessment process. Consequently, after 12 months the assessment is vastly improved utilizing the most recent ideas on more sustainable business practices.
Q. What are the weightings within the assessment based on?
The individual weightings are underpinned by the following methodology:
There are over 100 architectural, quality and other standards and assessment methods for buildings world-wide. Of those, over 60 have some significant "green" or "sustainable" components in their assessment. We reviewed these assessment frameworks and combined and modified them to reflect the relevant commercial aspects of the office environment. In other words, we have taken the best of the best of the assessment methods currently in existence for evaluating the planning, design, construction and operation of a sustainable, green, ecologically sound office and combined them into one completely automated, on-line assessment methodology.
How does GreenBizCheck Certification compare to ISO 14001 Environmental Standards?
The ISO system provides a compliance framework whereby practitioners must attend training, create a framework and develop action strategies themselves. Compliance is then audited at an additional cost. GreenBizCheck's certification system provides organizations with a fast, low cost and action-oriented sustainability program for immediate implementation to achieve bronze, silver or gold certification levels.
GreenBizCheck Green Business Certification:
- Provides a world-leading direct action tool, incorporating an assessment and report
- The assessment drives practical and cost positive GHG reductions
- Focuses the business on reducing GHG rather than resource intense GHG calculations
- Is practical, simple and can reduce GHG immediately
- Is delivered online minimising its GHG foot print
- The GBC framework is world's best practice, recognised by a wide range of organizations;
ISO 14001 Environmental Standard:
ISO 14001:2004 specifies requirements for an environmental management system to enable an organization to develop and implement a policy and objectives which take into account legal requirements and other requirements to which the organization subscribes, and information about significant environmental aspects. It applies to those environmental aspects that the organization identifies as those which it can control and those which it can influence. It does not itself state specific environmental performance criteria. ISO 14001:2004 is applicable to any organization that wishes to establish, implement, maintain and improve an environmental management system, to assure itself of conformity with its stated environmental policy, and to demonstrate conformity with ISO 14001:2004 by
- making a self-determination and self-declaration, or
- seeking confirmation of its conformance by parties having an interest in the organization, such as customers, or
- seeking confirmation of its self-declaration by a party external to the organization, or
- seeking certification/registration of its environmental management system by an external organization.
Source http://www.iso.org
Q. Who is GreenBizCheck?
A. We are business people just like you who are extremely concerned about the ramifications of pollution and Climate Change. We want to dedicate our careers to finding solutions and help businesses become more sustainable. For more information on GreenBizCheck and the team visit About Us.
Q. Why certify with GreenBizCheck?
A. GreenBizCheck's environmental assessment is designed to help you:
- Save thousands of dollars at the office and at home
- Attract and retain staff
- Create new revenue opportunities
- Independently verify your green credentials
- Maximise your PR and Marketing
- Create a healthier work environment
- Take the lead and help protect our planet
Q. How does the 100% money back guarantee work?
A. If you have implemented the main measures recommended and have not saved at least the cost of your certification in the first year we will refund you your annual fee.
Q. What type of companies will benefit most from certification?
A. Certification by GreenBizCheck is best suited to any business with an office.
Q. Do I get credit for some of the things the company is already doing?
A. Yes! In fact your company may have already reached one of the certification levels; giving you a very good reason to be GreenBizCheck certified and to get the recognition your efforts deserve.
Q. Do I have to do everything on the checklist to become GreenBizCheck certified?
A. No! But you need to reach at least 70% for Bronze, 80% for Silver and 90% for Gold certification.
Q. What are the costs of becoming an eco-certified business?
Q. How long is my certification valid?
A. Your certification is renewable every year.
Q. What if I do not reach the necessary points?
A. We will guide you through the process of improving your eco-efficiency so that you can reach the necessary points score as fast as possible.
Q. What is the Voluntary Carbon Compensation Program?
A. GreenBizCheck is proud to be a partner of the Australian Rainforest Foundation (ARF) - click here for more info. The Voluntary Carbon Compensation Programme is run in conjunction with the ARF and allows you to offset or compensate some or all of your carbon emissions.
ARF is an incorporated not-for-profit organization dedicated to education, research and habitat rehabilitation for Australia's rainforests. CSIRO studies suggest that tropical rainforests absorb approximately 2.5x times more carbon dioxide than single species plantations not to mention the fact that they offer vastly superior bio-diversity capabilities. ARF are endorsed and supported by the Commonwealth and Queensland Governments. We are in the process of establishing partnerships with rainforest organizations from around the world.
Q. What are the advantages of carbon compensation versus carbon offsetting?
It is prudent to check how your carbon offsets are utilized and how much of your funds are held back for administration.
Scientific studies by the CSIRO have shown that rainforests absorb 2.5 times more carbon dioxide than singles species tree plantations. Consequently, permanent rainforest regeneration is the most powerful form of carbon compensation with the added benefit of protecting and re-populating whole eco-systems.
Please visit www.compensatenow.com for a powerful alternative to mainstream carbon offsetting.
Q. Who audits my company?
A. The GreenBizCheck certification method relies predominantly on self-assessment to reduce our carbon footprint from multiple trips to a client site. Self-assessment also keeps our prices down which encourages more companies to green their business. Nevertheless, our associates will audit a random of sample of major action points to ensure the most important initiatives are implemented.
Q. Why is GreenBizCheck unique in its approach to greening businesses?
A. GreenBizCheck is the world's first global, online certification company that provides solutions for office based businesses to immediately take action and implement well researched green actions. While the GreenBizCheck program can measure carbon footprints, our approach is more about action first and measuring only once the most obvious activities have been implemented.