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In December 2002, the FIFA Board endorsed an eco-efficiency agreement with Environment Australia. The agreement provides a framework for a range of environmental initiatives to be undertaken by the industry.
Eco-efficiency is a concept that links environmental and financial performance. Through the implementation of eco-efficiency, companies can achieve better environmental outcomes, reduced costs and increased competitiveness. Eco-efficiency essentially means doing more with less – using resources more efficiently in economic processes.
To improve their eco-efficiency, companies can:
· Reduce material intensity of goods and services;
· Reduce energy intensity of goods and services;
· Reduce toxic emissions;
· Enhance material recyclability;
· Maximise use of renewable resources;
· Extend product durability;
· Increase the service intensity of goods and services.
Eco-efficiency is often pursued through approaches and “tools” such as cleaner production, environmental management systems, life cycle assessment and design for the environment. These tools help companies identify opportunities to improve resource efficiency and reduce environmental impacts.
The broad aims of the Fertilizer Industry Eco-Efficiency Agreement are as follows.
Improved environmental performance specifically in relation to:
· consumption of resources including energy, water and chemicals including fertilizers;
· air emissions (including greenhouse gases);
· discharges to water, particularly from fertilizer application by farmers;
· solid and hazardous waste;
· noise and other amenity aspects |
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Increased implementation by members of eco-efficiency tools, such as public environmental reporting, environmental management systems consistent with ISO14001, environmental auditing, product stewardship, life cycle assessment, supply chain management and design for environment.
Increased communication and promotion to member companies and, where feasible, across production and supply chains, of eco-efficiency and environmental management issues.
Increased contribution of the Federation to public policy development in the area of environmental management.
Increased involvement of the Federation in co-operative programs with other key stakeholders to ensure that nutrient issues are effectively dealt with in government and primary industry environmental initiatives.
Development of environmental standards in the form of a voluntary national environment code of practice for the Australian fertilizer industry.
Benchmarking the level of the environmental inputs and outputs, and impacts of member activities and ongoing measurement against key eco-efficiency indicators such as energy, water and chemical usage, waste and other emissions, per unit of output.
A periodic sectoral environment report, made publicly available.
Development of guidelines addressing key environmental issues within the Australian fertilizer industry.
You can read or download the full agreement by clicking on the link below.
Follow the link to download the public environment reports from 2002 to date:
Fertilizer Industry Environment Reports |
