Environmental Policy

Introduction

This Environmental Policy (“Policy”) incorporates guidance from the FE fundinfo Global Policy, but takes into consideration the practices and any relevant legislation from a local level.
The FE fundinfo Australia Group (“FEfi Australia Group” or “Group”) consists of:

• Zenith Investment Partners Pty Ltd (“Zenith”)
• Zenith CW Pty Ltd (“Chant West”)
• FE fundinfo Australia Pty Ltd

as updated from time to time.

The FEfi Australia Group recognises its responsibility to the environment beyond legal and regulatory requirements. FEfi Australia Group is committed to reducing its environmental impact across all offices where it operates. Continuous improvement of our environmental performance forms an integral part of our business strategy and operating methods, which is reviewed regularly. The Group encourages customers, suppliers and other stakeholders to do the same.

Responsibility

We consider open communication about environmental issues to be a corporate duty and obligation. We encourage our employees to openly discuss problems affecting the environment and motivate them to think and act in an environmentally conscious manner.
To meet our environmental commitments, we:

• Comply with all relevant regulatory requirements
• Continually improve and monitor environmental performance wherever possible
• Continually improve and reduce environmental impacts
• Incorporate environmental factors into business decisions
• Increase employee awareness through communication and training

Paper

• We minimise the use of paper in the office, and encourage environmentally conscious practices at home
• We reduce packaging as much as possible
• We seek to buy recycled and recyclable paper products
• We reuse and recycle all paper where possible
• We use electronic signature software where possible

We will only print hardcopies of documents where necessary

Energy and Water

• We seek to reduce the amount of energy used wherever possible
• Lights and electrical equipment will be switched off when not in use
• Heating will be adjusted with effective energy consumption in mind
• Energy consumption and efficiency of new products will be taken into account prior to purchase.
• We comply with any requirements set by our building landlords in meeting water and energy practices in our tenancies

Building policy

When considering leasing office space, consideration must be given as to whether the sustainability credentials of that space are appropriate. When considering a new lease, or renewing an existing lease, efforts should be made to ensure that the building should be compliant with the following minimum sustainability metrics:

Existing buildings	Minimum	Preferred
Energy – base building rating	4.5 Star NABERS	≥ 5.0 Star NABERS
Water	4.5 Star NABERS	≥ 5.0 Star NABERS
New/major refurbishment
Design and build standard	5.0 Green Star – Design & As Built	6.0 Green Star – Design & As Built

If sustainability metrics fall below the minimum during the term of the lease, engagement with the landlord/manager should be attempted to explore remediation potential.
In certain circumstances it may be too costly for a building to be upgraded to the levels specified above. Also, some buildings may need to be upgraded in stages, over a number of years to achieve these target ratings. In such circumstances, the obligations for the building owner may not be achievable at the time of lease commencement or renewal. Where the full requirements of this policy cannot be met, exemptions may provide flexibility for the Group to seek a staged or partial delivery of these requirements, or to negotiate alternative targets and approaches on a case by-case basis.

Office Supplies

• We evaluate the environmental impact of equipment and products used/purchased by the business
• We prioritise products that are more environmentally friendly and efficient wherever possible
• We reuse and recycle wherever possible

Transportation

• We recognise that travelling to meet clients and colleagues in other offices for face-to-face meetings can be highly valuable for business purposes and can yield demonstrable benefits. However, to support our commitment to the environment, we also commit to: Promoting the use of Teams/video-conferencing as travel alternatives
• Making efforts to promote the use of public transport / bicycles / walking / carshare and utilising the relevant office’s End of Trip facilities.

Maintenance and Cleaning

• We encourage use of cleaning products that are as environmentally friendly as possible
• We use upcycling where possible in terms of office refurbishment and ensure that anything new is as environmentally friendly as possible
• We ensure that waste (including e-waste) is disposed of by licensed and appropriate organisations to minimise environmental impact and we monitor any e-waste collected
  Monitoring and Improvement
• We will comply with regulatory requirements and review to ensure that we improve the company’s environmental performance where possible
• We will review training to ensure that it is meeting the objectives of this policy
  Culture
• We have an employee resource group comprised of employees from across our locations and functions. This group focuses on generating ideas, driving progress and engaging the wider organisation on important environmental issues.

We will involve staff in the implementation of this policy to assist greater commitment and performance.
This policy will be reviewed annually and updated in consultation with staff and other relevant stakeholders where necessary

 

 

Version	Date of ratification	Review completed by
V1	14/02/2023	Executive Team