Sustainability

As a leading outdoor activity and surf camp company, Southern Exposure is committed to minimise the impact of our operations on the environment.

Environmental Statement

Southern Exposure is Ecotourism Certified by Eco Tourism Australia & carries the TQual – Quality Tourism Accreditation and is Global Sustainable Tourism Council approved.

We buy and employ locally, recycle and support our community – this is our commitment to our business and the communities we do business in sustainably.

Our goal is to operate in an ecologically sustainable manner by minimising our impact on the environment by reducing waste and the use of energy and resources.

To do so, we:

• Identify, strive and promote to achieve best environmental practice in our management systems and operations;

• Provide an environmentally sound workplace, and progressively implement a range of environmentally sound work practices;

• Work closely with our employees, contractors, suppliers, clients and other stakeholders to develop and implement agreed environmental initiatives consistent with this policy;

• Explore opportunities for improved environmental awareness within our relationships with stakeholders.

As a leading outdoor adventure company, Southern Exposure is committed to minimise the impact of our operations on the environment.

Our goal is to operate in an ecologically sustainable manner by reducing waste and the use of energy and resources.

To Do So, We:

·       Identify, strive and promote to achieve best environmental practice in our management systems and operations;

·       Provide an environmentally sound workplace, and progressively implement a range of environmentally sound work practices;

·       Work closely with our employees, contractors, suppliers, clients and other stakeholders to develop and implement agreed environmental initiatives consistent with this policy;

·       Explore opportunities for improved environmental awareness within our relationships with stakeholders;

·       Immediate action is taken by Southern Exposure staff to restore any damage to flora or park infrastructure whilst conducting our programs

Current Initiatives

✓Carbon Offsets

We have partnered with GreenFleet, Australia’s most trusted source of biodiverse carbon offsets, to offset the emissions from our vehicle fleet. Every year, we calculate the amount of greenhouse gases generated by our operations fleet and GreenFleet plants enough native trees in Australia to capture our emissions.

As they grow, these trees form permanent forests, which do much more than sequester carbon. GreenFleet’s forests re-build vital habitat for native wildlife, improve water quality in catchments, prevent soil erosion and salinity, and safeguard Australia’s unique biodiversity.

In 2015-2016, we will have offset approx. 15.30 ton of CO2-e with GreenFleet.

We are publicly committed to offsetting our greenhouse gas emissions by partnering with GreenFleet, Australia’s first biodiverse carbon offset provider.

We are taking on a leadership role in an area where we can make a difference and set an example to our industry.

✓ Membership

Australian Conservation Foundation

Surfrider Foundation

✓ Electricity Usage

Our office lighting is fitted with energy efficient devices to reduce our electricity usage.

We purchase 100% GreenPower products from PowerShop, supporting renewable energy projects in Australia.

✓ Waste Management

 We recycle scrap & waste paper

We receive and email invoices/bills as much as possible

We use email for correspondence as our preferred method

Southern Exposure ensures a positive relationship with Land Managers including Parks Victoria, Great Ocean Road Coast Committee, Surf Coast Shire, Colac Otway Shire, Barwon Water & Barwon Coast Committee to ensure quality of parkland is maintained and all rubbish is allocated to correct bins provided i.e. recycling.

We have a take home policy

✓ Sustainable Procurement

We analyse all our procurement needs and look for the most environmentally sound options available for each need.

Wherever possible equipment is manufactured and purchased from locally owned business including:

·       Rip Curl

·       Gboards

·       De Grandi Cycles

·       Canoes Plus

·       Rex Gorell

·       Modom Surf

We employ from the local community.

All our promotional material and stationery are printed on 100% recycled paper.

✓ Community

We place great emphasis on supporting our communities.  The stronger the partnership, the greater the success we have as a region.

Ways in which we support our local community –

• Purchase catering products and food locally

• Volunteer our time Surf Life Saving Clubs as Surf Bronze examiner

• Support local businesses through partnership packages 

• Employ locally

·       Promotion of the areas in which we work along the Great Ocean Road, the Surf Coast, the Otway’s town of Forrest and the Bellarine Region as a visitor destination.

2023-2024 Plan

We continuously work to improve the way we operate to reduce our impact on climate change.

Our objective for 2023-2024 is to strengthen our environmental programs and deepen our partnership with the environmental not-for-profit business, Greenfleet. We are currently in discussion with Greenfleet regarding a partnership at our 2016 Run Forrest event.

Engaging With Our Stakeholders

 This would include offering participants the option to donate to Greenfleet online to offset their travel to the Run Forrest Trail Run.

By donating to Greenfleet participants are taking practical climate action, which helps restore Australian landscapes with sustainable, native forests.

We also plan to promote Greenfleet to our supply chain and encourage our suppliers to offset their own emissions. A preference will be given to suppliers with strong environmental commitments.

Southern Exposure is currently investigating opportunities in the following areas:

·       Participate in Tree planting Days

·       Working in conjunction with other sustainable companies

 Last updated 01.06.2023