Guardian Australia launches sustainable business section
Guardian Australia has launched the Guardian Sustainable Business (GSB) Australia, an online platform examining the social and environmental impact of business. GSB will be underpinned by an editorial advisory council comprised of sustainability experts. The editorial focus will be on social equality, smart cities and innovation in renewable energy. Alexandra Spring will edit GSB Australia, working closely with Jennifer Kho, editor GSB US and Laura Paddison, editor GSB UK.

Sydney, 1st December, 2015: Guardian Australia has today launched the Guardian Sustainable Business (GSB) Australia, a world-leading online platform examining the social and environmental impact of business, as part of the Guardian’s growing global expansion.

GSB is underpinned by an editorial advisory council comprised of Australia’s most respected sustainability experts.

The dedicated Australian section will be a core part of Guardian Australia. GSB Australia is designed to engage readers with in-depth analysis, thought-provoking commentary and cutting-edge interactive storytelling, providing a comprehensive look at how Australian companies are rising to meet today’s social and environmental sustainability challenges. The editorial focus will be on social equality, smart cities and innovation in renewable energy.

Alexandra Spring will edit GSB Australia and will work closely with, Jennifer Kho, editor GSB US, and Laura Paddison, editor GSB UK.

“As international leaders gather in Paris for the United Nations Climate Change Conference, global businesses are increasingly being called upon to play their part. GSB Australia will examine how Australian businesses seek to meet these social and environmental challenges and what that means for Australians,” said Spring.

As part of the launch, Spring has created an editorial advisory council of sustainability experts and thought leaders to contribute to the editorial agenda of GSB Australia. Council members include:

· Alicia Darvall, Executive Director, B Labs Australia

· Amanda McKenzie, CEO, Climate Council

· Amelia Telford, Seed National Director, Australian Youth Climate Coalition

· Andrew Petersen, CEO, Sustainable Business Australia

· Anna Rose, National Manager, Earth Hour

· Blair Palese, CEO, 350.org

· Lord Mayor, Clover Moore, City of Sydney

· David Ritter, CEO, Greenpeace

· Dermot O’Gorman, CEO, WWF

· Professor John Thwaites, Monash Sustainability Institute & ClimateWorks Australia

· Jon Dee, founder and Managing Director, Do Something!

· Lisa Annese, CEO, Diversity Council Australia

· Michael Traill, Chair, SVA Leadership Council, Social Ventures Australia

· Dr Stephen Bygrave, CEO Beyond Zero Emissions

· Professor Stuart White, Director of the Institute for Sustainable Futures.

Speaking at the launch of GSB, Blair Palese, co-founder and CEO of 350.org Australia, said, “I am thrilled to be part of the new Guardian Sustainable Business project because for more than two years, Australia has lagged far behind in taking action due to a lack of leadership. The Guardian’s new forum will provide a platform for creative thinking and new voices that can help get us back in the game and take our rightful place as a global leader in finding environmental solutions to our biggest challenges, including climate change.”

Guardian Sustainable Business currently has almost 7 million global unique browsers, with 2.2 million in the US, 1.9 million in the UK, 1.9 million in the rest of the world and almost 400,000 in Australia. This reflects a growing appetite and passion for analysis and commentary around the world’s increasing sustainability challenges. GSB UK was launched in 2010, while GSB US was launched in 2013.

Additional supporting quotes

Michael Traill, Social Ventures Australia said “I am pleased to be part of the Guardian Sustainable Business advisory group. This is an initiative that has the capacity to nourish and reinforce the idea that the leaders of our biggest corporations should remember the doctrine that many have forgotten from Adam Smith’s original work and thinking in ‘The Wealth of Nations’, that if we lose our sense of being part of and contributing to the common wealth we demean and diminish our sense of being part of and contributing to a broader community. My belief is that those organisations that respect this dictum will outperform – at every level including financially – over the long term.”

“Justly squaring the economy with the physical limits of the planet is the existential question of our day so the launch of Guardian Sustainable Business could not be more timely. Reckless economic activity is driving the world to ecological breaking point. Now more than ever it is urgent that an agenda is set for authentically sustainable business,” said David Ritter, CEO, Greenpeace.

Dr Stephen Bygraves, CEO, Beyond Zero Emissions said “The Guardian is known for its independence and for asking the hard questions. This aligns strongly with the approach of Beyond Zero Emissions which is highlighting, independent from vested interests, blueprints for zero emissions transition in line with climate science.”

“The launch of Guardian Sustainable Business will be a real shot in the arm for discussion about sustainability in Australia and the world. I’m looking forward to new perspectives from diverse thinkers, as well as the latest in news and commentary on this important issue,” said Lisa Annese, CEO, Diversity Council Australia.

WWF-Australia CEO Dermot O’Gorman said: “WWF has worked with leading businesses for more than 30 years. Sustainability is no longer a side issue, it’s a core factor in business success. When companies clean up their act, it means less pollution, less waste, and a healthier environment. Importantly for business, it also means lower costs, lower risks, and increased profits.”

About Guardian News & Media

Guardian News & Media (GNM) publishes one of the world’s leading quality English language newspaper websites, with a global reach of 42m monthly unique visitors (comScore, Sept 2015). A dedicated Australian digital edition was launched in 2013 at www.theguardian.com/au, which has grown to become one of the biggest online national news brands, reaching nearly 2m Australians per month (Nielsen).

About Guardian Sustainable Business

The Guardian’s vision is to be the leader on sustainability within the media industry and to be environmentally regenerative in our activities. Through our editorial coverage and business activities, we will demonstrate to readers, staff, advertisers, suppliers and our communities that the Guardian is committed to enhancing society’s ability to build a sustainable future.

Guardian Sustainable Business (GSB) is part of this vision, a global platform for corporate leaders at the cutting-edge of positive change. We curate the world’s most authoritative voices on corporate sustainability to bring you thought-provoking comment, debate and expert insight to push the boundaries of sustainable business. All editorial content is independent of any sponsorship, unless otherwise clearly stated.

Media Contacts:

Katie Haffner

Communications manager

Tel: +61 403 357 831

Email: katie.haffner@theguardian.com