Creating a vibrant and sustainable Brisbane requires collective action. All businesses, small and large, have a role to play to ensure the opportunities and lifestyles we create today will remain available to future generations.

No matter where you are on your sustainability journey, the following resources will help strengthen your business, reduce your environmental footprint and save on operational costs.

Measure your carbon footprint and take action

Queensland has a target to reduce emissions by 75% by 2035 to help mitigate climate change and the impact on our environment and communities. All businesses have a role to play. The first step is to measure your carbon footprint and then create an emissions reduction plan. Reducing carbon often reduces your operating costs too.

• Carbon Kickstart: Join BEDA's Carbon Kickstart program to access free and low-cost tools to measure and reduce your emissions.
• ecoBiz: Free program for Queensland SMEs to manage carbon emissions (Scope 1 and 2) and receive personalised coaching and training.
• CarbonHalo: Low-cost climate action program to help your business measure, reduce and avoid emissions (Scope 1, 2 and 3).
• NetNada Event Carbon Calculator: Estimate your event’s carbon emissions.
• Climate Active: Government-backed climate action program offering carbon neutrality certification.
• EarthCheck: Carbon calculator included for EarthCheck members as part of the certification program. 

Increase sustainability in your business

Sustainability makes business sense. Not only can it help increase your competitiveness, adopting sustainable practices can also save you money by reducing your energy, water and waste bills.

• Sustainable Business Hub: Brisbane-based online platform with resources and free energy calculator, helping small and medium businesses to save on energy, water and waste.
• ecoBiz: Free sustainability program for Queensland small and medium businesses providing personalised one-on-one coaching, training and tools to reduce your business’s water, energy and waste consumption and manage your business’s carbon emissions.
• Business Queensland: Queensland Government information to help your business reduce energy, water and waste in your business.
• Energy Made Easy: Australian Government energy price comparison service for households and small businesses in NSW, QLD, SA, Tas and the ACT.

Circular Economy

Did you know waste can be a useful resource? In a circular economy, waste products are kept in circulation by reusing, repairing, recycling and remanufacturing materials for as long as possible. Find out how your business can engage in the circular economy.

• Australian Circular Economy Hub: Planet Ark’s circular economy hub offers education, measurement, advocacy and collaboration. 
• Queensland Government: Find out information and grants available to help your business engage in waste reduction and the circular economy. 
• Business.gov.au: Understand your business waste, the rules you need to follow and the money-saving steps you can take to avoid or reduce waste. 

Sustainable Food

Food plays an important part of the tourism experience. The way that food is sourced has significant economic, social, cultural and environmental impacts. Find out how to connect with local food growers in the Brisbane region and adopt more sustainable practices in your business.

• Food and Agribusiness Network: Connect with their membership base to source local food and support agribusinesses in Moreton Bay and the Sunshine Coast.
• Sustainable Table’s Australian Regenerative Food and Farming Map: Source regenerative food and farmers using this interactive map.
• Food Connect Foundation: Not-for-profit registered charity committed to building the foundations of new regenerative food systems. 
• Sustainable Restaurant Association: Providing a global certification, Food Made Good, to food and beverage businesses.
• BEDA’s Future Food Global Accelerator: Be inspired by these advanced manufacturing food businesses that have used sustainable practices to increase efficiency of their operations. 

Government support and compliance

Find out what government support is available for your business, as well as your obligations as an employer in Queensland.

• Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation: Queensland Government programs and support for tourism industry.
• Business Queensland: Queensland Government guidelines on key obligations as an employer.
• Business.gov.au: Information, grants, services and support available from across the Australian government.
• Business Chamber Queensland: Membership packages providing your business with HR advice and workplace support, business sustainability and growth.