There are many different ways in which Australian businesses manage their environmental impact. These actions and activities were measured in the ABS 2008–09 Energy, Water and Environment Survey. The practices surveyed included: development of an environmental policy/plan or system, water management activities, recycling or re-use and undertaking energy efficiency or energy reduction measures.
During 2008–09, many Australian businesses implemented environmental management activities (graph 2.11). The most common were energy efficiency or energy reduction measures (implemented by 55% of businesses), recycling or re-use of materials (23%) and water management activities (22%).
The size of a business was a significant factor influencing the participation in environmental management activities (graph 2.12). Large businesses were more likely to undertake all forms of environmental management activities, with 88% undertaking energy efficiency or energy reduction measures, 63% recycling or re-using materials, 60% engaging in water management activities and 47% conducting energy usage audits. Overall, 45% of large businesses had some form of environmental policy/plan or system compared to just 3% of small businesses.
Statistics contained in the Year Book are the most recent available at the time of preparation. In many cases, the ABS website and the websites of other organisations provide access to more recent data. Each Year Book table or graph and the bibliography at the end of each chapter provides hyperlinks to the most up to date data release where available.
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This page first published 24 May 2012, last updated 11 November 2015
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ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT BY INDUSTRY
There are many different ways in which Australian businesses manage their environmental impact. These actions and activities were measured in the ABS 2008–09 Energy, Water and Environment Survey. The practices surveyed included: development of an environmental policy/plan or system, water management activities, recycling or re-use and undertaking energy efficiency or energy reduction measures.
During 2008–09, many Australian businesses implemented environmental management activities (graph 2.11). The most common were energy efficiency or energy reduction measures (implemented by 55% of businesses), recycling or re-use of materials (23%) and water management activities (22%).
The size of a business was a significant factor influencing the participation in environmental management activities (graph 2.12). Large businesses were more likely to undertake all forms of environmental management activities, with 88% undertaking energy efficiency or energy reduction measures, 63% recycling or re-using materials, 60% engaging in water management activities and 47% conducting energy usage audits. Overall, 45% of large businesses had some form of environmental policy/plan or system compared to just 3% of small businesses.
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