Hunter Ecology Sustainability Initiatives Brief

 

Since being established in 2020, Hunter Ecology has been committed to embedding sustainability practices across all that we do. We truly ‘walk the talk’ and are committed to measuring, understanding and driving down our GHG emissions as well as reducing our broader environmental footprint. We operate as a Carbon Positive company. 

The specific environmental sustainability initiatives we have invested in include:

 

• Proactively measuring our Scope 1, 2 and limited Scope 3 GHG emissions for the 2024/25 financial year as our baseline year. The reported annual GHG emissions are 6,464 kilograms of CO2-e, or 6.464 tonnes of CO2-e.

• We purchase carbon offsets annually through Carbon Positive Australia, and increase, or reduce this, based on our yearly output. Our goals are to always remain carbon positive. This year we have purchased 8 tonnes of carbon offsets, keeping us firmly in the positive. 

• Installing a 6kW PV solar system and a compatible 5kW battery to operate Head Office almost entirely on renewable electricity.

• Utilising 100% of Head Office’s water needs from a 25,000-litre rainwater tank.

• Using a three (3) bin waste system to recycle paper & carboard and commingled plastic and glass, and composting food organics on-site.

• Actively restoring, rehabilitating and conserving 0.8ha of Hunter Range Ironbark Forest (PCT 3605) and 0.5ha of Sydney Hinterland Red Gum River flat Forest (PCT 4058). This has resulted in restoring critical habitat to over eighty (80) bird species (including the threatened Glossy Black Cockatoo, Powerful Owl, Gang Gang Cockatoo and Little Lorikeet), eleven (11) mammal species (including the Platypus, Sugar Glider and the Little Forest Bat), nine (9) frog species and eight (8) reptile species. These species have been recorded on-site as a result of our proactive biodiversity conservation efforts. These works also actively mitigate our associated GHG emissions.

• Staff superannuation invested via Australian Ethical Superannuation.

• Providing philanthropic financial support to the Sydney Buddhist Centre for meditation and wellbeing courses.

As our business continues to mature and grow, we are committed to finding further opportunities that ensure that everything we do maximises positive environmental outcomes.