TCL CSR:Transition Plan
- 1. transition plan CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY Presented to Trade Centre Limited
- 2. !2 C H A M P I O N S O F S U S T A I N A B I L I T Y Sasha Barnard International Development, Sustainability Eliza Bethune International Development, Sustainability Kelsey Brasil Community Design, Sustainability Tom Davison History of Science & Technology, Sustainability Camille Dumulon-Lauziere Environmental Science, Sustainability Maarika Farmer International Development, Sustainability Travis Fong Political Science, Economics, Sustainability John Kennedy Environmental Science, Sustainability Rebecca Laporte Philosophy, Sustainability Mackenzie Meens Business Management, Sustainability Ashley Salvador Sociology, Anthropology, Sustainability Kareem Wallace Community Design, Sustainability
- 3. !3 CURRENT & INDUSTRY BEST PRACTICE R E P O R T O V E R V I E W & C O N T E X T T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S Energy Conservation 8 Waste Management 9 Water Management 10 Food & Beverage Catering 11 Employee Benefits & Training 12 Certification & Reporting Framework 13 Community Engagement & Benefits 14 Online Communication 16 CSR Statement Suggestions 17 Green Event Options 18 Executive Summary 4 CSR Briefing 5 Report Introduction 6 The Time is Now 7 Recommendations 19 Acknowledgements 21 Glossary 21 Current Partnerships 22 References 23 R E C O M M E N DAT I O N S & R E F E R E N C E S
- 4. !4 E X E C U T I V E S U M M A R Y This report was created to examine existing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) practices at Trade Centre Limited (TCL) and identify areas of opportunity during TCL’s upcoming transition. TCL’s move to into the Nova Centre offers the opportunity to re-define, shape, and customize their internal and external operations. This will help advance TCL’s position as an industry leader in North America. Implementation of CSR enables TCL to host conferences and events within the Halifax Convention Centre in a socially responsible way. Research for this report was conducted in collaboration with TCL and the College of Sustainability at Dalhousie University. Our team compares TCL’s position in relation to industry best practices, and offers suggestions on how TCL may effectively transition into their new facility. Our team draws attention to the social, environmental, and financial sustainability initiatives that currently exist at TCL. TCL has developed connections with local suppliers and charitable organizations. TCL’s willingness to comply with clients requests is a key component of their success. As demonstrated in the 2015 Canadian Medical Association Conference (CMA), TCL has the capability to host green events. The convention centre that TCL operates has implemented outstanding kitchen protocols which comply with industry established sustainability measures. TCL has also outfitted the convention centre with energy efficient appliances and is a leader in waste management practices. Based on the research conducted by our team, we present four main recommendations to aid in TCL’s corporate social responsibility advances: • Form an Executive Committee for Managing CSR • Adopt a CSR Monitoring Framework • Establish a Coherent Online Presence • Further Develop Partnerships for CSR The report concludes that TCL currently employs a number of sustainable initiatives. However, there are a select number of areas that may be improved. The time for change is now, and it is therefore recommended that TCL use the findings from this report to position itself to its potential clientele as a national and eventually North American leader and attractive option for conferences, conventions, and other events.
- 5. !5 Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is an accountability and reporting framework for corporate businesses. This framework helps businesses meet social, financial, and environmental sustainability targets and will help TCL engage with their stakeholders. CSR reporting results in a competitive advantage for businesses who embrace the initiative since adaptation has been proven to result in cost savings, brand recognition, long-term goal setting, and consumer and employee engagement. Adopting a CSR strategy is becoming an industry-wide standard across the corporate world. Corporations around the world have adopted CSR to increase transparency with their stakeholders. TCL has a wide spectrum of stakeholders including local Halifax businesses and communities, the Halifax Regional Municipality, and government agencies throughout the Province of Nova Scotia and the Atlantic Canada Region. Stakeholders represent the different groups of people that affect TCL’s business practices, and other influencing factors on TCL’s operations. Ultimately, CSR can help TCL increase their transparency, accountability, and commitment to their stakeholders. CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY Environmental Sustainability r e p r e s e n t s a c o m p a n y ’ s commitment to reduce their environmental footprint. Having these standards allows companies to stand out in the community and attract environmentally-conscious clients. Studies have shown that companies that value sustainability practices in their business outperform those that do not hold the same values. Social Sustainability is related to all private and public stakeholders, a i m i n g t o f o s t e r a n d g r o w relationships, communication, and engagement with these communities. Economic Sustainability entails financial benefits to TCL through the adoption of green initiatives in order to create new market opportunities and enhance its competitive standing within the industry. Adopting this framework will ultimately make TCL a notable leader among other, similar businesses. Sustainable development can help TCL become a national leader in corporate social and environmental responsibility. In a corporate context, sustainability has three main interconnected components: Social, Environmental, and Economic:
- 6. !6 R E P O R T I N T R O D U C T I O N The report was designed as a consolidated document with information from a multitude of different departments within TCL. This report serves the following purposes: • Any employee from TCL can read this document and have an understanding about the company’s position in relation to CSR • A transition roadmap for the management team at TCL to build upon current CSR practices • A baseline for a future full-scale CSR report • An evaluation tool to measure TCL’s growth in relation to CSR once full-scale CSR reporting has been implemented This report was prepared by the Champions of Sustainability from the College of Sustainability at Dalhousie University. The second report Sustainable Practices, prepared by the Capstone TCL Catering Group, focuses on TCL’s food and beverage catering operations. Please refer to their report for greater detail in these areas. Trade Centre Limited (TCL) is in the midst of an important and exciting transition. The Halifax Convention Centre developed within the Nova Centre presents an opportunity to enhance TCL’s public image. TCL has the potential to showcase the benefits it brings to the local community and province of Nova Scotia through its commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). With improvements to energy efficiency and increased community engagement, the new Halifax Convention Centre can be viewed as a beacon to lead Halifax into a better, more sustainable future. This report outlines TCL’s current practices in regards to CSR as well industry best practices. The report focuses on nine elements related to CSR including: • Energy Conservation • Waste Management • Water Management • Food & Beverage Catering • Employee Benefits & Training • Certification & Reporting Framework • Community Engagement & Benefits • Online Communication • CSR Statement Suggestions • Green Event Options The structure of this report outlines TCL’s current practices in relation to these nine areas, which are presented alongside industry best practices. Within each of the nine CSR areas, suggestions for how TCL may improve their operations are provided. It is our hope that this report serves as a transition plan for the organization.
- 7. !7 Demands for socially and environmentally responsible conferences and events have increased significantly over the past decade. In response to these demands, convention centres around the world have adopted various practices to align their organizations with the move towards greater CSR. With TCL already taking steps towards socially responsible operations, TCL has the opportunity to not only carry these existing practices forward, but to adopt additional CSR practices that will help establish TCL as an industry and community leader. The time is now for TCL to step into the spotlight and demonstrate their commitment to CSR. T H E T I M E I S N O W
- 8. !8 Given TCL’s limited control over the physical attributes of the new Nova Centre, TCL could offset their carbon emission by purchasing from external clean energy providers such as Bullfrog Power. TCL may also choose to adopt an energy and emissions tracking mechanism so that emissions reductions and savings can be communicated on an event-by-event basis or for total operations. Utility management programs or billing services are often used as tools to track energy use9. N E X T ST E P S FO R TC L E N E R G Y C O N S U M P T I O N In an effort to reduce the impact of their energy consumption TCL has adopted significant energy conservation practices in their day-to-day operations. These current practices demonstrate TCL’s commitment to mitigating their impact on the environment by reducing energy consumption in their kitchens, conference spaces, meeting rooms, and all other significant areas of their operations. These conservation practices include: • Energy efficient appliances (such as industrial combination ovens, high efficiency boilers and refrigeration) • Lighting systems to reduce total energy consumption (occupancy sensors, LED lighting) • Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems through smart management programs (such as variable frequency drives) • Efficient and timely maintenance of equipment through the use of software programs In anticipation of moving into the new Halifax Convention Centre, TCL has consulted with Argyle Developments in order to ensure that green features and technology are being implemented in the new building. It is estimated that $400,000 will be saved because of these improvements to efficiency5 Using clean energy and implementing energy- efficient practices has become an accepted norm across the conference industry6. Renewable energy infrastructure is becoming the standard in this industry, but other organizations like TCL who do not have full control over building design may displace carbon emissions through purchases from external renewable energy suppliers such as Bullfrog Power7. Energy and emissions tracking has also become an industry best practice as this allows organizations to monitor, improve, and communicate their energy use8. Accepted practices for reducing energy consumption also include: • Using censored lighting • Reducing the use of escalators or elevators during event set up • Installing energy efficient lighting • Using energy efficient equipment INDUSTRY BEST PRACTICEC U R R E N T P RAC T I C E S
- 9. !9 TCL reports on the total weight of waste by type and disposal method. This includes composting and garbage disposal, as well as glass, paper, and bottle recycling. TCL also has a specialized method for disposing of kitchen greases and fats. Waste is an unavoidable outcome of hosting conferences and events. However, it has become industry best practice to mitigate and reduce the amount of waste generated through recycling, reusing, or donating materials that would otherwise end up in a landfill. Waste diversion through smart waste management programs has also become the industry norm10. Convention centres have the ability to either collaborate with clients to implement waste diversion programs on an event-by-event basis, or centres can incorporate regular waste management practices into their standard operations11. Waste management strategies include: • Recycling materials such as glass, paper, cardboard, light bulbs, banners, or wood pallets • Diverting kitchen food waste through composting, or donations of surplus prepared food to charities and local partner groups • Having waste bins in proper locations in public spaces, exhibit halls, and meeting rooms that separate recyclables from organics and waste There may be opportunities for TCL to partner with community organizations in Halifax. These include local nonprofits, schools, or community organizations to whom TCL can donate excess food and materials. These actions would contribute to building positive relationships with the surrounding community. TCL may wish to consider outsourcing their waste management practices to a private company. For example, the company Waste Management®12 has a wide range of capabilities and solutions that can be tailored to fit TCL’s needs by providing waste pickup, mixed recycling services, security services, etc. Given that waste management is a large focus of TCL’s operations, an in-depth analysis of TCL’s current waste management strategies has been conducted by the Capstone Catering group. Please refer to the report Sustainable Practices for further information on current as well as industry best practices related to waste management. INDUSTRY BEST PRACTICE N E X T ST E P S FO R TC L W A S T E M A N A G E M E N T C U R R E N T P RAC T I C E S
- 10. !10 In an effort to conserve water and reduce waste, TCL has low-flow toilets throughout the facility, and installed Flushometers on the urinals. Additionally, TCL has sensors on facility sinks which are activated by motion, further reducing the amount of water consumed. Finally, TCL demonstrates water consciousness through the use of in-house water jugs and only provides bottled water during events when it is specifically requested by clients. K i t c h e n o p e r a t i o n s , c l e a n i n g a n d maintenance, as well as any water required during events contribute to convention centre water consumption. Efficiency is one of the main ways convention centres reduce their water consumption13. Examples of leading water management and efficiency practices that have been implemented by other convention centres include: • Having water bottle refill stations to replace the use of plastic bottled water • Tracking and monitoring water use • Installing signage throughout facilities to encourage water conservation Although TCL has limited control over the Nova Centre’s plumbing system, there are a number of measures that can be taken to reduce water consumption. TCL may choose to conduct a water audit to ensure optimal efficiency is being achieved. TCL may also look to install additional water saving devices and post signage to promote water conservation to clients and employees. For example, TCL may post reminder signs about the importance of conscientious water use at TCL. INDUSTRY BEST PRACTICE N E X T ST E P S FO R TC L W A T E R C O N S E R V A T I O N C U R R E N T P RAC T I C E S
- 11. !11 At any event food and beverage serves a key purpose; it provides an opportunity for attendees to be exposed to a diverse dining experience featuring local cuisine. However, excess waste in the form of packaging and food waste can be an unavoidable outcome of catering conferences and events. Direct actions have been taken by TCL to mitigate the waste produced through catering, including: • Self-catering by operating a scratch kitchen • Reducing the amount of packaging and waste produced by baking and cooking in- house • Purchasing from 79 local suppliers within Nova Scotia, 4 of which are certified organic • Offering a selection of 20 beverages produced in Nova Scotia, and 11 from the Atlantic region • Reducing waste by using beverage dispensers for both coffee and water • Reducing packaging waste by reusable tablewares such as cloth napkins, ceramic plates and coffee mugs, and glasses TCL has already adopted a number of exemplary industry best practices related to food and beverages. However, there is room for improvement. An in-depth analysis of industry best practices and TCL’s current practices has been conducted by the Capstone Catering group. Please refer to their report, Sustainable Practices for further information on current as well as industry best practices related to food and beverage. TCL may improve their already excellent food and beverage service by pursuing the following recommendations: • Communicate with the public regarding the effort TCL is making to supply local products • Continue to create partnerships with local beverage suppliers to expand local offerings and support growth in the local wine and beverage industry • Work with food banks to decrease surplus food waste • Work with the province to improve legislation on food waste • Implement the use of non-toxic cleaners such as those certified by EcoLogo14and Green Seal15 INDUSTRY BEST PRACTICE N E X T ST E P S FO R TC L F O O D & B E V E R A G E C A T E R I N G C U R R E N T P RAC T I C E S
- 12. !12 TCL currently offers a high-level of employee benefits and training, and reports on the key conclusions of customer satisfaction surveys. By doing so, TCL is able to measure the organization’s sensitivity to customer needs and preferences. For example, of the clients who had special requests or last minute changes, 99% were satisfied. This reflects TCL’s employees ability to improvise solutions for their clients. Additionally, TCL records the percentage of total workforce represented in formal joint management-worker health and safety committees that help monitor and advise on occupational health and safety programs. Forty percent of TCL’s full-time employees are represented in Monthly Inspection Teams, which help regulate the Occupational Health and Safety programmes. Some TCL employees are trained on human rights policies or procedures concerning aspects of human rights that are relevant to operations. Human rights training programs include: Respect in the Workplace, Supervisor Essentials, Ability Employers Symposium, Ability/Eileen Pease, and Ability/ Tova. Each operational department at TCL is required to engage in a recurring discussion, “Tool Box Talk,” about safety in the workplace. All employees at TCL are required to attend a Respectful Workplace training session every two years. Most leading convention centres have employees who are responsible for company- wide sustainability and CSR initiatives. As described in the 2015 Green Venue Report16 (The State of Convention and Exhibition Centre Sustainability) : Looking forward, TCL has the opportunity to increase employee training associated with sustainability and CSR. Our team suggests that TCL delegates specific employees or departments to share the responsibility of implementing and monitoring CSR initiatives. The Sustainability Learning Centre17 is an online platform that can certify employees in sustainability and CSR leadership practices. This training service can offer employees the opportunity to learn how to measure greenhouse gas outputs and how to integrate CSR reporting frameworks such as ISO18. Training employees on sustainability and CSR practices will increase company-wide understanding of why these initiatives are important to TCL’s operations. • Venues have a dedicated leadership team that works on sustainability performance and success • Company green teams meet on a quarterly basis • Convention centres have budgets that are specifically for sustainability-related initiatives 77% 59% 47% INDUSTRY BEST PRACTICE N E X T ST E P S FO R TC L E M P L O Y E E B E N E F I T S & T R A I N I N G C U R R E N T P RAC T I C E S
- 13. !13 Although TCL does not have a formal CSR reporting framework, they do report on a variety of operations including waste management, economic impact, as well as community engagement efforts. TCL currently has limited sustainability certifications, however, once operations transition to the new Nova Centre, TCL will be housed in a LEED Gold Certified facility. Our team has identified that some other convention centres and corporations have implemented sustainability reporting frameworks. The most commonly used among these reporting frameworks are GRI and ISO 19. These reporting frameworks help corporations monitor and track their operations. This makes it easier to present CSR both internally to members of the organization and externally to the communities they impact. Adopting a formal CSR monitoring and reporting framework would allow TCL to track their CSR practices. It would also allow TCL to communicate their CSR initiatives to their various stakeholders from local Halifax businesses and communities, the Halifax Regional Municipality, and government agencies throughout the Province of Nova Scotia and the Atlantic Canada Region. Establishing a CSR monitoring and reporting strategy also enables TCL to track baseline measurements in order to set future goals. T h i s r e p o r t i n g f r a m e w o r k m a y b e progressively implemented through a system such as GRI which would enable TCL to report on their current capacities while allowing for a more detailed and expansive report to develop as TCL adopts additional CSR practices. INDUSTRY BEST PRACTICE C E R T I F I CAT I O N & R E P O R T I N G F R A M E W O R KS C U R R E N T P RAC T I C E S N E X T ST E P S FO R TC L
- 14. !14 TCL has adopted an inclusive and positive approach to community engagement practices. TCL achieves this by attracting economic opportunities to the Halifax area through their events at the Convention Centre as well as the Scotiabank Centre and Exhibition Park. TCL is responsible for bringing over 746,900 visitors to Halifax and had an economic impact of $99.1 million dollars from the 834 events hosted in 201520. Furthermore 13 community engagement sessions were conducted during the planning process for the new Halifax Convention Centre21. TCL also prioritizes local suppliers wherever possible. This has allowed TCL to establish connections with 222 vendors within Nova Scotia, making 62% of TCL’s vendors local in 2015. Additionally, TCL implements social programs that directly benefit local citizens such as offering not-for-profit groups access to complimentary tickets to events and access to their facilities free of charge. As a part of their community donations program TCL provides tickets to non-profits and charitable organizations across Nova Scotia. In 2014 TCL donated 126 tickets. Outside of charitable contributions, convention centres have begun to take steps towards becoming leaders in community engagement. Convention centres such as the Adelaide Convention Centre22maintain partnerships with community organizations and schools with whom they donate leftover materials, food, and office supplies. Providing free exhibition space for local non-profit organizations is another way that convention centres are providing benefits to the surrounding community. TCL can improve their community contributions and engagement through: •Prominently displaying current initiatives on their website (refer to section ‘H’ on Online Communications) •Developing community outreach initiatives with local cooperatives and youth organizations by offering free space •Increase the number of local vendors that TCL provides space for showcasing merchandise INDUSTRY BEST PRACTICE C O M M U N I T Y E N G A G E M E N T & B E N E F I T S C U R R E N T P RAC T I C E S N E X T ST E P S FO R TC L
- 15. !15 TCL REGIONAL ECONOMIC BENEFITS 2015 62% local vendors 746,900 visitors to Halifax 834 events $99.1m economic impact
- 16. !16 Website design and online presence is key for corporate communications strategies. Successful strategies focus on clarity of vision and communicate transparency, cohesion, and community engagement. Specifically, these strategies include: • Sharing a corporate social responsibility Statement • Showcasing environmental goals and initiatives, as well as awards and achievements • Offering a green meeting checklist for potential clients’ consideration • Providing examples of community engagement and social initiatives • Using consistent branding and user-friendly navigation across all media platforms • Providing accessible links to social media platforms TCL can improve their online presence by creating a section dedicated to showcasing CSR. Subsections should include: • CSR Statement and company goals related to sustainability • Green meeting guide • Successful green events (e.g. Canadian Medical Association Conference) • CSR from monitoring and tracking statistics • Showcasing major awards and achievements • A list of local business partnerships World Trade Centre Atlantic Canada and the Halifax Convention Centre are currently used interchangeably online and these differences may confuse web users. To ensure TCL’s values and vision are easily accessible and clearly displayed, our suggestion is to unify TCL’s websites. This can be done by using the same branding across all online platforms to create consistency. Also, updating and maintaining social media accounts on Facebook and Instagram would allow TCL to better communicate with a wider audience. Our team also suggests that TCL list their c h a r i t a b l e p a r t n e r s h i p s w i t h l o c a l organizations and nonprofits. This list would add value to the CSR section of your website. INDUSTRY BEST PRACTICE O N L I N E C O M M U N I C A T I O N N E X T ST E P S FO R TC L Much of TCL’s online communication, including web material and social media, currently focuses on the transition to the new convention centre. TCL operates three websites: • www.tradecentrelimited.com, • www.wtcchalifax.com • www.halifaxconventioncentre.com The websites currently cover many important aspects required for effective online communication, including: • Company mission, goals, and values • News and current events • New building status • Past projects • Social media accounts C U R R E N T P RAC T I C E S
- 17. !17 Our team suggests that TCL create a CSR statement that speaks to their commitment to the community, the environment, and the local economy. An example of a strong CSR statement for TCL may be: Trade Centre Limited is in the business of bringing people together. We are committed to hosting world-class conferences, spreading k n o w l e d g e , a n d f o s t e r i n g p o s i t i v e relationships between all sectors of society. By adopting and prioritizing sustainable business practices, we strive to fulfill our commitment to social and environmental responsibility. While Trade Centre Limited operates on a global scale, our mission is to create economic and community benefits in Halifax, Nova Scotia. We choose to buy from local producers, offer donations to community groups, and improve the local business by bringing a growing number of visitors to Halifax every year. At Trade Centre Limited, we recognize our a responsibility to the environment and are committed to ensuring our operations are as green as possible. By transitioning to a LEED certified building, Trade Centre Limited will be able to better align its environmental values with its physical operations. By continuously improving our social, environmental, and economic sustainability initiatives, Trade Centre Limited strives to demonstrate leadership in the conference and event industry. Although TCL has a mission statement and corporate values on their website, there is currently no section designated to Corporate Social Responsibility. C S R S T A T E M E N T S U G G E S T I O N S C U R R E N T P RAC T I C E S N E X T ST E P S FO R TC L It is industry best practice to display current CSR practices and make them accessible to all stakeholders through a company’s website. Most organizations include a designated section that highlights CSR practices and encourages positive relationships between the company and the local community, municipality, province, and prospective clients. It is most effective when key categories are summarized and displayed in an engaging way to the reader and then expanded upon within the website. INDUSTRY BEST PRACTICE
- 18. !18 TCL has demonstrated their willingness to work with clients to create sustainable and socially responsible conventions. For example, TCL worked in collaboration with the Canadian Medical Association to create a Green event by providing amenities such as locally sourced food. Below are specific figures of sustainability highlights from the 2015 CMA Conference: Many convention centres have a designated sustainability coordinator or team of coordinators to oversee an organization’s internal sustainability practices and certifications22. Coordinators can work to provide clients with options for sustainable and socially responsible conventions. One of the tools used in the planning process is a Green Meeting Checklist that displays the convention centre’s capabilities for hosting green events. TCL would benefit from a designated an individual or a team of sustainability coordinators who focus on assisting clients with their Green convention requests. Additionally, TCL can present clients with a Green Meeting Convention Checklist that outlines the sustainable options TCL offers. See the Capstone Catering group’s report “Sustainable Practices” for an example of a Green Meeting Checklist. INDUSTRY BEST PRACTICE G R E E N E V E N T O P T I O N S C U R R E N T P RAC T I C E S N E X T ST E P S FO R TC L 537 attendees locally sourced food 3040 lbs. recycled waste 19,848 kwh green energy 45%
- 19. !19 In consideration of this upcoming transition, it is important to note that CSR is an industry norm. In order for TCL to remain competitive in the convention centre industry, they will need to further develop their CSR practices. The following four recommendations were developed based on recurring themes discovered in our report: Recommendation 1: Form an Executive Committee to Manage CSR: Our team has found that leading convention centres have an executive committee for managing CSR. Most committees are composed of one or more representatives from each of the different branches of the organization. This diversity in representation allows for department specific CSR targets to be measured by the appropriate divisions and to then be brought back to the committee to report on as a whole. We recommend that TCL form such a committee for CSR to allow for the adoption and monitoring of new CSR initiatives as they relate to each individual branch and to identify department specific goals. An executive CSR committee will create internal leadership for managing CSR practices within TCL.This is important for creating consistent and reliable management of the entire company’s CSR initiatives. Recommendation 2: Adopt a CSR Monitoring Framework We recommend that TCL adopt a CSR monitoring framework to consistently monitor and track CSR indicators relevant to their operations. We suggest that a reporting framework such as GRI or ISO 26000 be adopted as they are increasingly being implemented across the industry. Having a CSR monitoring framework will allow TCL to produce marketing and sales materials that communicate their positive impact on the surrounding community as well as their commitment to sustainable business practices. A monitoring framework would also allow TCL to create measurable goals to work towards achieving as they grow their operations. Oversight for this framework could be provided by the executive committee. R E C O M M E N D A T I O N S
- 20. !20 R E C O M M E N D A T I O N S Recommendation 3: Establish a Coherent Online Presence Currently, TCL operates three distinct websites, each with distinct branding. We recommend that moving forward, TCL look to create consistent branding across all online platforms. Consistent branding will ensure that users recognize the connection between the Halifax Convention Centre, World Trade and Convention Centre, and TCL. Since all three websites contain different information all pertaining to the convention centre, we recommend increasing the connectivity between these websites to improve web user experience. Discrepancies among the different operating websites can potentially hinder the ability of TCL’s stakeholders to access necessary information. We also recommend that TCL creates a designated CSR section on the Halifax Convention Centre Website. This section may include a CSR Statement, the CSR initiatives that TCL is undertaking, pro-bono events to assist local groups, and improvements in indicators monitored by the reporting framework. Additionally, the section could feature members of the Executive Committee for CSR as well as any community partners. Having a designated section for CSR on your organization's website is significant as environmental awareness becomes increasingly more important to prospective clients. Showcasing the CSR initiatives implemented by TCL will illustrate the company’s commitment and transparency to CSR. Recommendation 4: Further Develop Partnerships for CSR TCL has already begun to form several partnerships with local businesses and community groups. We recommend that TCL look to these groups and others to expand their partnerships for CSR. At the CMA Conference, TCL displaced emissions through the procurement of renewable energy through Bullfrog Power. We believe TCL should continue to expand these types of relationships and pursue others, such as partnerships with local food banks. Partnerships with online learning communities can train staff and the executive committee in detailed CSR programs. It is important that TCL continues to expand their community partnerships for CSR because this will create further opportunities for clients who wish to host a green event. The time is now for TCL to embrace CSR. Our team strongly believes that these four recommendations will improve TCL’s position in relation to the ten CSR areas outlined in this report. Based on our research of other leading convention centres, we believe the adoption of these recommendations is imperative for TCL to remain competitive in the convention centre industry.
- 21. !21 A C K N O W L E D G E M E N T S We recognize that this project would not have been possible without our dedicated contacts at TCL. Specifically, we would like to thank Greg Smith, Suzanne Fougere, Erin Esiyok-Prime, Katie Ryan, and Chef Christophe Luzeux. We would also like to thank Dalhousie University’s College of Sustainability for providing our team with the opportunity to work alongside TCL. Specifically, we would like to thank the instructors of the Capstone class: Georgia Klein, Debra Ross, Peter Mushkat, and Cameron Christensen. On behalf of the Champions of Sustainability, we hope you find our work beneficial to your company’s operations. Our team strongly believes that TCL has the ability to accomplish the recommendations provided in this report. TCL has the opportunity to become a leading convention centre on the national level in terms of sustainability and corporate social responsibility. In an era of growing concern about climate change and social responsibility, it is imperative that businesses like TCL take the lead. G L O S S A R Y Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) - An accountability framework for corporate businesses created to meet socially responsible targets for operations. Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) – A framework that enables corporations to account for and communicate their sustainable and socially responsible practices. Green - A term used to describe companies that adopt principles, policies and practices that improve the quality of life for their customers, employees, communities, and the planet. International Organization for Standardization (ISO) – A worldwide group for the creation of uniform business practices to ensure simple interaction between corporations and businesses. Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) – A rating system for green building and building practices.
- 22. !22 C U R R E N T P A R T N E R S H I P S Health Services and Advocacy • AKOMA Children’s Centre • IWK • Leukemia & Lymphoma NS Chapter • North end Direction 180 • Colchester East Hants Health Centre • NS Fire Fighters Burn Treatment • Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation • AIDS Coalition of NS • Make- A- Wish Atlantic Provinces • Kidney Foundation of Academic Institutions •Dalhousie University •University of King’s College •Westmount Elementary School •Eastern Shore High School •Atlantic Memorial Terrance Bay School •Citadel High School •Ellenvale Junior High •Ecole Beaubassin •Cole Harbour High School •Portland Estates Elementary •Bedford South School •Halifax Christian Academy •Shatford Memorial School •Gorsebrook Jr High PTA •Bridgeway Academy Local Leagues • Cole Harbour Atom B Team • Sackville Minor Hockey • Spryfield Attach Jr. C Hockey Club • U14B Harbour City Lakers • DWMHA Peewee AAA • Tasa Ducks Minor Hockey Association • Cole Harbour Midget Bruins Hockey Team • Mic Mac AAC Rowing Club • Dartmouth Skating Club • Halifax City Soccer Club • Shearwater Bluefins Swim General Community Engagement • Edwards House • Brockwell House • 4- H Youth Program • Scottish Rite Charitable Foundation of Canada • Learning Centres for Children – Halifax • Big Brothers Big Sisters • Project WELL Society • Adsum House • Homebridge Youth Society • Rockingham Refugee Support Group • Habitat for Humanity • Navy League of Canada Religious Institutions • St. Augustine’s Anglican Church • St. Luke’s Anglican Church • St. Patrick’s Church Restoration Society Financial Institutions • TD Canada Trust Other • Good Bones Dog Rescue • Cool Dog Rescue • CTV News
- 23. !23 R E F E R E N C E S 1. Halifax Regional Municipality, The Halifax Convention Centre Project, 2016. http://www.halifax.ca/ConventionCentre/ HalifaxConventionCentreFrequentlyAskedQuestions.php 2. ibid. 3. ibid. 4. ibid. 5. Halifax Regional Municipality, The Halifax Convention Centre Project 6. Santa-Barbara, J, Sustainable Business Practices, 2016. http://www.sustainablescale.org/AttractiveSolutions/ SustainableBusinessPractices.aspx 7. Bullfrog Power, Homepage, (n.d) accessed March 12. http://www.bullfrogpower.com/ 8. Green Venue Report, The State of Convention 9. ibid. 10. ibid. 11. ibid. 12. https://www.wm.com/index.jsp 13. Green Venue Report, The State of Convention 14. UL, ECOLOGO Product Certification, 2016. http://industries.ul.com/environment/certificationvalidation-marks/ ecologo-product-certification 15. Green Seal, About Green Seal, 2016. http://www.greenseal.org/AboutGreenSeal.aspx 16. Green Venue Report, The State of Convention & Exhibition Centre Sustainability, 2015, http:// www.internationalcentre.com/site_Files/Content/Media/News/2015GreenVenueReport.pdfAppendix 17. Cooper, K, Sustainability Training, (n.d.) accessed March 18. http://www.sustainabilitylearningcentre.com/ sustainabilitytraining 18. ibid. 19. Green Meeting Industry Council, Best Practices, (n.d.) 20. Trade Centre Limited, Trade Centre Limited Annual Report 2014-2015, 2015. http://www.tradecentrelimited.com/en/ home/abouttcl/corporatepolicies/annualreports/current.aspx 21. Halifax Regional Municipality, The Halifax Convention Centre Project 22. Green Venue Report, The State of Convention
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