EC3 Global dominated the contenders for the Brisbane Lord Mayors Business Awards 2012, rewarded as the overall winner in the Energex Award for Sustainability in Business.

"As a small Brisbane based company, we currently lead the world in environmental benchmarking and sustainability reporting for the travel and tourism sector.  While we enjoy working overseas, nothing delights us more than working with Brisbane-based companies to help this city to address its vision of becoming Australia's new world city," said EC3 Global CEO Stewart Moore.

 Recognised for their commitment to promote sustainability as a core business goal, EC3 Global provides advice and certification services  and helps business and communities to  minimise their environmental footprint, deliver operational efficiencies, address risk and maximise visitor and resident experiences.

According to Mr Moore, Brisbane is beginning to evolve into a more sustainable destination. This is evidenced through the present take-up of sustainability and energy efficiency initiatives by a wide range of businesses. "EC3 Global currently offers solutions to help Brisbane companies to monitor record and reduce their use of energy, water, waste and their commitment to social and community outcomes." This is not just about doing the right thing for the planet, but delivering a 360 degree approach to smarter ways to design and operate your business," said Mr Moore.

"Brisbane companies have demonstrated a willingness to take a leadership role in the take-up of more responsible and sustainable business practices over the past few years," he continued.

Sustainability can be a simple way to deliver cost savings in the commercial sector.  Operating from well-designed buildings and precincts has the potential to increase energy efficiencies, cut costs and reduce carbon emissions, not to mention creating healthy environments and boosting employee satisfaction and performance.

Through the EC3 EarthCheck certification program, the following Brisbane businesses have achieved some remarkable outcomes;

• BCEC reduced waste sent to landfill per annum by 2,108,000L between 2007 and 2010, a volume the same as approx. 8,500 BCC wheelie bins.
• BCEC reduced its CO2 by 4,860,800 kg.  This equates to removing over 2,000 vehicles off the road each year.
• BCEC reduced its energy by 6,720,800 MJ.  This equates to enough energy to power approx. 187 average Australian households each year.
• The Rydges Hotel South Bank reduced its water consumption by 1,473,400L -equates to the volume of 180,000 cases of XXXX beer
• The Emporium Hotel's energy consumption was 41.5% better than best practice at 143.4MJ per guest per night.
• Complete Taxi Management showed a performance of 30% above baseline in community commitment and its water saving rating is 8.6 points above best practice.
• Brisbane's South Bank became Australia's first world-leading, sustainable precinct, only one of four EarthCheck certified communities in the world.

About EC3 Global

EC3 Global is an international tourism and environmental management and advisory group which was developed by the Sustainable Tourism Cooperative Research Centre (STCRC), the world's largest dedicated research centre specialising in sustainable tourism and research. EC3 Global work with clients to plan, manage and achieve business, development and marketing objectives; Set and achieve sustainability goals with a triple bottom line focus and implement programs to achieve these objectives. Its global community of clients have access to experienced project managers and allied professionals, as well as global tourism best practice and research. 

About EarthCheck                                                                                

EarthCheck, managed and owned by EC3 Global, is an internationally recognised environmental management and certification program with members in over 70 countries. The program improves operational performance of member organisations and reduces costs. Recent studies show that 6 million people a week are impacted by EarthCheck's branded solutions. The company takes a scientific and systematic approach to risk mitigation and legislative requirements and is regarded as one of the world's best-practice environmental sustainability leaders.

For further media information please contact Maree Reason-Cain - C4 Marketing & Communications on 0438 730 752 or maree@c4marketing.com.au