Focus Print Sustainability Report Analysis

This assignment requires an in-depth analysis of Focus Print's 2012 Sustainability Report, focusing on their commitment to environmental and social responsibility. Students need to examine the report's content, identify key sustainability practices, and assess their effectiveness. The analysis should be supported by relevant academic literature and legal frameworks such as the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, 1999 and The Sydney Harbour Trust Act, 2016.

Develop Workplace Policy and
Procedures for Sustainability

ASSESSMENT 1- Theory questions
Part A
1. Why is the study of sustainability important?
Sustainability refers to a study where natural systems and ecological environments are
studied for understanding as well as balancing various factors. This is an important issue which
has been addressed as to ensure that whatever resources are consumed by humans are returned
to environment so that the balance and sustainability can be maintained. Basically, it is very
important that a balance is created in between consumption and maintenance of resources so
that the non-renewable assets can be protected for future use.
Sustainability is very important for long term survival and growth. The whole industrial
revolution and digitalisation was backed by resources which are available naturally (Ageron,
Gunasekaran and Spalanzani, 2012). In 21st century, it is very important to study sustainability
as it will provide knowledge to people regarding efficient usage of resources. It will allow
conservation which will aid future generations in growth and survival.
2. What is the “Brundtland Definition" of sustainability?
The Brundtland commission was formerly known as World Commission on
Environment and Development (WCED). It was formed to unite different countries and set
same goals to achieve a sustainable development.
The definition for sustainability given by Brundtland was, “It describes sustainable
development as a concept where growth will be achieved while meeting out needs and wants of
present while not compromising any capability of future generations to survive and grow”. It
states that future needs and requirements has to be understood as to ensure that they do not
suffer from the lack of resources.
3. What are the three pillars of sustainability?
The three main pillars of sustainability are as following:
 Economic development: The prime focus is to ensure that business do not get impacted
when sustainability concept is implemented. They need to improve their efficiency level
for minimising resource consumption and pollution.
 Social development: People need to be aware about legislation related to health and
safety as well as environmental laws as to protect themselves.
 Environmental protection: There are different methods which are used to protect
surrounding, such as recycling, reducing emission, lowering down power consumption.
4. What is the difference between the traditional thinking and ‘interconnected thinking’ about
sustainability?
Traditional Thinking Interconnected Thinking
 It refers to the economic growth
which is achieved at the expense of
resources.
 It is considered to be old concept
because here people were not
concerned about environment.
 They were not concerned for future
generation survival.
 This is a modern thinking or concept
where people are concerned regarding
the environmental resources which are
being consumed.
 They try to be efficient while
maintaining growth rate and quality of
life.
 The main aim is to fulfil needs of
present while protecting resources for
future generations.

5. Give five examples of what humans can do to live more sustainably?
There are five different ways which will boost sustainability:
 Zero waste living: This is a concept where people are encouraged to reduce wastage of
resources and utilise things in more effective manner.
 Employee training: Companies need to boost efficiency level of their employee which
will aid in improving productivity while minimising the cost and for this they have to
be trained.
 Minimising the usage of non-biodegradable resources: Usage of items such as plastics
and other items which cannot degrade overtime naturally has to be stopped.
 Plantation: More trees will lead to better recovery and stability in environment.
 Boycotting products endangering wildlife and natural resources.
6. Explain any TWO of the six principles of sustainability in your own words
a. Contain entropy and assure that flow of resources, in an economy is maintained to a
level of non-declination which is allowed by physical principles (Barkemeyer and et.
al., 2014). Basically, this is a law which states that it is very important to make sure that
flow of resources is maintained to an efficient level in economy so that no activity or
ability is hampered and all tasks are completed in desired manner while environment is
protected.
b. Make sure that diversity is protected no matter in which form it is. It is a law which
states that all life forms and resources are maintained and channelized in a manner that
they are used in a most efficient manner.
7. What is ISO 14000?
It is a series of standards which are developed for maintaining environmental standards by
International Organisation for Standardisation. It is a standard which provide a platform or
basis to organisation which they can use for systematising their environmental management
efforts. But it does not provide enforcement power and cannot regulate activities conducted by
organisation. It is voluntary for them to prepare program which adds more value to
environment. The companies which follows this standard are considered to be eco-friendly and
receives subsidies from government.
8. What is the purpose of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999?
It is an Act which has been enacted by parliament of Australia as to provide framework
to organisation and people which can be used for protecting environment and biodiversity. It is
important for protecting natural and culturally significant destination. Its powers are not limited
to national boundaries, any Australian company operating in the international market is bound
to follow this act as to ensure that environment is not harmed in any country (Blewitt, 2014).
This Act was enacted when the government realised that human activities are harming
Australian cost line as well as biodiversity.
9. What is the difference between a ‘carbon footprint’ and ‘ecological footprint’?
Carbon Footprint Ecological Footprint
It refers to the amount of CO2 released in
atmosphere due to the activities conducted
by organisation, community and people.
The greenhouse gases are considered to be
the main component of pollution which is
caused by factories and other activities. It
impacts the atmosphere and leads to global
It refers to the amount of environment
resources required to produce products and
services as to fulfil needs.
It is considered to be an activity where it is
measured as how much an activity consumes
resources.
It allows people in understanding the

warming. efficiency of an activity.
Part B
10. GLOBAL WARMING
a. Do you think global warming is real?
Yes, global warming is real and it is happening at present. It is supposed to rise
in future.
b. Why or why not? Give reasons and examples to support your answer
Human activities are causing pollution which is impacting the environment. For
example, rise in the number of industrial countries is increasing carbon emission which
is causing breakdown in ozone layer and rise in temperature (Epstein and Buhovac,
2014). Global warming is not a theory any more, it is a real event which is impacting
environment and as well as all the living creatures. The best example for global
warming is the decrease in the size of polar ice caps.
11. Describe ‘How Green’ your workplace (or a company you do business with) is.
a. Company name: Health scope Ltd
b. What do they do?
They are offering their services in health care equipment.
c. Rank how green they are: They are investing more in environment while consuming
less resources which makes them a green market player (Geels, 2011). They recycle the
water while treat acids before they are sent to disposal.
12. What are some of the ways you can ‘live green’ on a daily basis?
There are certain ways which can be used for living green, such as, no plastic use, less fuel
wastage, planting trees, consuming less water, Family planning, consuming less meat.
13. Explain the 5 ways we can be more resource wise?
Living a green life is more important. The ways are:
 Drive green, using electric vehicle.
 Conserving water resources
 Boycotting goods which harm ecology and diversity
 No use of plastic
 Buying as per need.
14. What are the resource areas you can do a ‘Sustainability Analysis’ on?
The resources which will be considered for sustainable analysis are:
 Water conservation
 Greenery in the surrounding area
 Carbon emission
 Ecological emission.
15. A sustainability policy should follow a framework. Describe what these areas should cover:
a. Background: With framework, it means that all policies need to be backed with a legal
basis as well as hierarchy (Gillet, 2012). There are different areas which need to be
covered such as:
b. Responsible Persons: All the individuals employed in company are responsible for this
task. The prime members include, Head of production and resource manager.

c. Impact on the Organisation: It increases cost of activities but also provide greater
returns and subsidies from government.
d. Stakeholders: The investors, communities, employees, organisation, government are
the stakeholders.
16. Explain benefits that are identified in developing and implementing a sustainability policy.
There are certain benefits that were identified by them after implementing sustainable policy:
 It aids in creating a place where people are able to deliver better performance.
 It motivates individuals.
 It provides resources for long term and ensures survival
 Producing products which are at par with sustainability concept.
 Minimisation of carbon emission and resource consumption led to less cost for project.
 Generation of maximum output while minimisation of inputs of resources.
 In case of more London, the building is using solar heating as well as a fossil fuel which will
not cause higher level of pollution.

ASSESSMENT 2- Sustainability Policy
Assessment 2 is in two parts and is based around a printing company ‘Focus Press’. Please refer to
the additional case study information when answering the following questions for both Part A and
Part B.
PART A – Sustainability Analysis
1. What is the business name?
The name of the company is Focus Press.
2. What type of business is it (Industry)?
It is a family owned business house which is based in shop front in Marrickville. It was
founded in 1987 and has an existence experience of more than 30 years in printing and service
delivery. It is one of leading printing and digital media advertiser. while manufacturing plants in three
different states (Hansmann, Mieg and Frischknecht, 2012). The company is trying to align itself with
environment so that it can protect it in more effective manner. The industry in which it is functioning is
media and broadcasting.
3. Who is the main person or persons in this business that is responsible for sustainability?
Overall all the employees are responsible for maintaining efficiency levels which assist
organisation in registering sustainable growth. But there are few people who have the responsibility of
maintaining sustainable parameters within organisation. Such as, the off-line printing manager. He has
to ensure that there is no wastage at the time of printing of newspaper and other articles. While, the top
management of company is responsible for implementing policies which are made for standardising all
services and products (Leipziger, 2015). The HR manager has to ensure that every single individual is
placed on right place at the right time, so that all tasks are completed in a set period of time.
4. Why is sustainability important to for this business and its local environment?
Sustainability is very important for business and its growth in current environment. It allows it in
growing at a rapid speed while reducing the cost and expenditure occurred for every activity. It has
become a strategic tool for business organisation as it has following benefits:
 Boost motivation of employees
 Reduces cost and increases margin of profit.
 It aids organisation in adapting to new trends and policies.
There are certain benefits to environment also which are stated below:
 Increases standard of living of people.
 Reduces resource consumption and improves greenery.
 Protect biodiversity.
5. Compliance: Write down the names of any Australian Commonwealth legislation (law)
or compliance requirements that they may need to consider when developing their
sustainability policies.
The government is very concerned for protecting the biodiversity and environment. The
authorities know the value environment which is in deteriorating state as humans are over utilising the
resources (Mateus and Bragança, 2011). The laws which are enacted for ensuring better environmental
protection are stated below:
 Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999: it was enacted for protecting
environment and the very living beings by providing a framework which can be used for
developing various policies and plans (Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation
Act, 1999).
 Water Act 2007: It is a law which was enacted for ensuring that all water bodies are protected.
 Sydney Harbour Federation Trust Act 2001: This was enacted as to protect the ocean reef
which were under threat of extinction (The Sydney Harbour Trust Act, 2016).

6. Stakeholder Engagement: Who are the key people or groups of people that has been
involved in developing their sustainability policy?
Stakeholder Engagement refers to an activity which describes about the roles and
responsibilities of different parties. The people who are involved in the process of policy development
are stated make decision regarding different aspect which are concerned with protecting environment
(Moldan, Janoušková and Hák, 2012). The parties involved are mentioned below:
 Government: It is the main body which overlooks at each and every aspect as to ensure that all
types of resources are protected.
 Agencies: The government agencies assist companies in making policies.
 Top managers of organisation: They are the people who formulate policies on the basis of
legislation.
 Communities: People living in society are impacted by any law or policy so they have to be
involved. Non-profitable organisation: They are the on which work for sorting out social issues
in an effective manner.
7. What did they do? Explain the steps that were taken to improve sustainability practices
There are different types of activities which were conducted on the basis of legislations that
were formed by the above-mentioned parties. It allowed them in creating a system which enhances
efficiency and reduces consumption of resources. There are different steps which were taken for
improving sustainability practices, they are stated below:
 Formulation and implementation of legislation
 Standardising activities and resource consumption
 Reducing pollution levels
 Creating a no-go zone to revive dying reef.
8. What are the environmental gains? List the benefits that were achieved by the company
There are different types of environmental gains which are present. The ones which are present
for company are stated below:
 The company was able to create a more positive environment which encouraged efficiency and
higher productivity.
 It was able to improve the quality of its services
 Printing was improved.
 Energy efficiency was increased.
 Facility was updated to treat waste and water and reuse it in printing purpose.
 The chemical usage was reduced and productivity was increase.
9. Explain what else they plan to do in the future
The future plan involves complete digitalisation of all printing press. It will enable the
managers in attracting more consumer base. The prime plans for short period involve more efficient
printing and lower chemical use. They also aim to cover more area and provide qualitative services to
consumers.
Focus Press Case Study continued:
PART B – Policy Development, Implementation & Monitoring
10. Focus Print developed their sustainability policy and implemented action plans in 1999.
Briefly explain their achievements and key action outcomes identified in their 2012
report.
The Printing company set its goals and objectives in the plans which were prepared in 1999. It
aimed to attain a sustainability level which will allow it in reducing pollution as well as ensure that
profit margin increases. The report released in 2012 stated about the sustainability outcomes which
were achieved are stated below:

(Source- Sustainability Report, Focus Point, 2012)
As stated in the image it can be seen that company was able to achieve majority of its targets in a very
effective manner. They are shifting towards clean technologies which will reduce their reliance
polluting alternatives.
11. Action Plan Carbon Reduction:
a) What are the sustainability goals identified at Focus Print?
There are few sustainable goals which are identified by Focus Print media company. These
targets are divided into three separate parts. They are stated below:
People:
 Conducting health check-ups Surveying staff engagement
Community: Developing 2 community program addressing social issues.
Environment: It is divided in four sub-parts:
 Waste: Reducing the waste of resources by 5%
 Energy: Lowering down energy intensity by 5%

 Chemicals: Continuation of trial process of free plates
 Suppliers: Establishing an ethical policy for sustainable framework.
b) What carbon off set projects were undertaken?
ACTION PLAN
What were the carbon offset projects undertaken
WHO?
Which country was involved?
Satia Energy Efficiency project in Punjab. Is one of the
leading example where Focus print company assist
organisation in reducing their carbon footprint to a very low
level.
India
Exon motors, in London. Focus printing assisted company in
reducing the cost of transportation of goods.
United Kingdom
c) Explain how they calculate their overall carbon footprint?
Focus print is a company who lead to deal at paper manufacturing and they have to maintain
proper carbon footprint which is a total greenhouse gas emission which produced by an organisation
(Penzenstadler, 2013). As they have to take care about this fact because it leads the harm the
environment.
12. The Case study – Satia Energy Efficiency Project, Punjab, India discusses what Focus
press did to help achieve part of its 3rd goal, answer the following:
d) Who is Satia Industries?
Satia industries is a leading paper mill in Punjab, India. It is one of the biggest company which is
producing record number of paper in single day.
e) How much paper do they produce per day?
The company is currently having a production capacity of more than 7500 TPS. It is aiming to boost it
to 10000TPA.
f) What hazards did they identify in the paper production process?
They identified various hazards which were hampering paper production process to a higher extend.
Such as, fire issue, use of chemical, machinery and electric issues which were rectified.
g) What was the new process?
The new process was stated to include activities such as training to people dealing with chemicals as to
prevent any hazard and keep whole process running.
h) What did they use less of as a result of this new process?
The company reduced the usage of hazardous chemical in printing articles in the mill which resulted in
higher level of sustainability.
i) What has been the overall benefit of this project
The prime benefit of this project was that it aided in increasing the efficiency level.
13. What other areas of sustainability did they address?

The areas which the company addressed was health and safety of employees at workplace,
training of individuals as to enhance their ability to deal with chemicals. This was very important as
this ensured that all task and activities run at par with requirement. The company is able to add more to
the surrounding environment by planting trees while cutting down less.
14. What targets have they achieved?
There are different targets which were achieved by company after new process was
implemented. The organisation was able to attain the product level of 7500TPA due to the new
process. They achieved an efficiency level of 5% and while they were able to boost their profitability
by 3% in one year. The paper mill is also able to enhance its own productivity and employee
engagement as new process allowed managers in interacting with individuals in more effective
manner.
15. How do they communicate the sustainability plan and goals to staff and get them
involved?
Communication of sustainability plan and goals is very essential. The company aimed to engage
people in more effective manner as the new process assisted managers by providing them a stable
channel which can be used for communicating. The printing organisation was able to inform each and
every individual effectively due to the formal channels that were created.
16. What kind of documents will be useful in analysing the success or failure of the
sustainability actions?
There are different types of documents which are required in analysing the success as well as
failure. First of all, the activities need to be recorded so that variances can be found and changes can be
made (White, 2013). The very first document that is required is a planning report which will state
about path that has to be followed by employees and the second document that will be used is annual
performance report, as it will state about performance improvement.
17. What can you recommend they do if their sustainability goals are not achieved?
The recommendations for improvement will be related to training of workforce and reduction
in wastage of resources. As the plan is already at par with needs of sustainability. They have to put
focus on the existing procedures as to enhance the productivity and efficiency.
18. Why is it important they are able to modify a sustainability policy and make sure that
improvements are made?
It is very important for organisation to make changes in the plans and methods that they have adopted
as this will allow them in achieving their goals in more effective manner (Why Sustainability is
Important to Your Business, 2017). The modifications will allow them in increasing their efficiency
and ensure that improvements are made.

REFERNCES
Books and Journals
Ageron, B., Gunasekaran, A. and Spalanzani, A., 2012. Sustainable supply management: An empirical
study. International Journal of Production Economics. 140(1). pp.168-182.
Barkemeyer, R., and et. al., 2014. What happened to the ‘development ‘in sustainable development?
Business guidelines two decades after Brundtland. sustainable development. 22(1). pp.15-32.
Blewitt, J., 2014. Understanding sustainable development. Routledge.
Epstein, M. J. and Buhovac, A. R., 2014. Making sustainability work: Best practices in managing and
measuring corporate social, environmental, and economic impacts. Berrett-Koehler
Publishers.
Geels, F. W., 2011. The multi-level perspective on sustainability transitions: Responses to seven
criticisms. Environmental innovation and societal transitions. 1(1). pp.24-40.
Gillet, C., 2012. A study of sustainability verification practices: the French case. Journal of
Accounting & Organizational Change. 8(1). pp.62-84.
Hansmann, R., Mieg, H. A. and Frischknecht, P., 2012. Principal sustainability components: empirical
analysis of synergies between the three pillars of sustainability. International Journal of
Sustainable Development & World Ecology. 19(5). pp.451-459.
Leipziger, D., 2015. The corporate responsibility code book. Greenleaf Publishing.
Mateus, R. and Bragança, L., 2011. Sustainability assessment and rating of buildings: Developing the
methodology SBTool PT–H. Building and Environment. 46(10). pp.1962-1971.
Moldan, B., Janoušková, S. and Hák, T., 2012. How to understand and measure environmental
sustainability: Indicators and targets. Ecological Indicators. 17. pp.4-13.
Penzenstadler, B., 2013, March. Towards a definition of sustainability in and for software engineering.
In Proceedings of the 28th Annual ACM Symposium on Applied Computing (pp. 1183-1185).
ACM.
White, M. A., 2013. Sustainability: I know it when I see it. Ecological Economics. 86. pp.213-217.
ONLINE
Sustainability Report, Focus Print, 2012. [Online]. Available
through:<http://www.focusprintgroup.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/
Sustainability_Report_2012.pdf>. [Accessed on 30th August 2017].
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, 1999. [Online]. Available
through:<http://www.environment.gov.au/epbc>. [Accessed on 30th August 2017]
The Sydney Harbour Trust Act, 2016. [Online]. Available
through:<http://www.harbourtrust.gov.au/about/policies/legislation>. [Accessed on 30th
August 2017].
Why Sustainability is Important to Your Business, 2017. [Online]. Available through:<>. [Accessed on
30th August 2017].