Norman Waterhouse is committed to operating in accordance with corporate social responsibility (CSR) principles for sustainable development.
In order to achieve sustainable development, Norman Waterhouse has a continuing commitment to ethical business practice that contributes to economic development while improving the quality of life of the workforce, their families and the local community.
To address these targets, Norman Waterhouse conducted a comprehensive internal audit of staff and our work practices to provide feedback and knowledge on our social and environmental priorities and energy consumption levels across the firm.
One of the key areas identified was the firm's contribution to the environment and climate change.
As a result Norman Waterhouse has actively worked to become South Australia 's first law firm to become carbon neutral with a further target to reduce carbon emissions on an annual basis.
Planning and Environment Partner at Norman Waterhouse Paul Leadbeter and former consultant Ted Byrt played a leading pro bono role in the establishment of the Australian Carbon Biosequestration Initiative (ACBI), a not-for-profit company that developed the Canopy Project for organisations seeking to manage their CO2 impact.
The project was designed in accordance with the Australian Standard for Carbon Accounting, Article 3 of the Kyoto Protocol, the Forest Property Rights Act 2006 and the National Carbon Accounting System.
Norman Waterhouse drafted various agreements between ACBI, carbon emitters and landowners pursuant to the Forest Property Rights Act in the nature of registered land management agreements.
ACBI now works with Greening Australia in the planting of thousands of trees across the State to offset the carbon emissions of numerous organisations both private and public.
Norman Waterhouse funded the planting of 1.5 hectares of Australian native trees on a farm near Callington , South Australia. Click here for photos.
Norman Waterhouse staff are involved in the maintenance of the trees with further planting and weeding days scheduled over the coming year.
For more information about the Canopy Project or ACBI, please click on the link below:
In order to make our commitment to carbon neutrality sustainable, Norman Waterhouse has launched a number of internal environmental initiatives to help staff reach the firm's target of a 10 per cent reduction in emissions annually.
These initiatives have been supported by staff and in some instances were initiated by them.
Norman Waterhouse has formed a committee of five staff members who act as environmental officers for the firm, two on each floor that we occupy, and one at our second office in Gawler Place. The committee meets monthly to review the firm's progress and to brainstorm new initiatives that can be rolled out across the organisation..
Initiatives already in place include:
Photocopiers - A “power-save” option has been introduced on all photocopiers. Once a photocopier has been inactive for a period of 30 minutes it will switch to "sleep mode". After a further 15 minutes, it will go to "true power-save" mode, which consumes 90 per cent less energy.
Double Sided Printing - All the printers and computers have now been set up to allow staff to select the double-sided printing option.
Light switches - 'Switch Off' stickers have been placed above each light switch to remind staff to turn off their lights in their offices and work areas before vacating the building at the end of the day.
Recycling Bins - Each staff member now has a recycling bin under their desk and large bins have been provided for all the recycled paper to be put in.
Supply Chain - Recycled office paper has been introduced into the office environment.
Staff involvement – Five staff members in the Adelaide offices have been nominated as 'environmental officers'. These staff members are responsible for promoting these initiatives, monitoring staff activity and answering any questions on good environmental practice in the workplace.
Norman Waterhouse is committed to continuing and developing our approach to CSR and we welcome your feedback on our progress to date.
For more information contact:
Paul Barrington
Chief Executive Officer
(08) 8210 1200