Crunching carbon and numbers

By Bridget Brady
THEY are crunching carbon, as well as numbers, at Highview Accounting in Cranbourne.
Highview Accounting is reducing its carbon footprint by officially being recognised as a carbon neutral business by the Carbon Reduction Institute (CRI), and staff said they believe they are the only accounting firm in the state with the certified classification.
Staff members have cut down the cost of the business’ energy bills by 12 per cent by using natural light wherever possible and turning off computers. They have reduced the cost of paper by $200 a month by re-thinking their need to print documents and using recycled paper. Highview Accounting has also switched to a green energy provider and staff members walk, use public transport or arrange car pooling when travelling to meetings or appointments.
Partner Silvio Marinelli said there were not just monetary savings involved in becoming carbon neutral.
“It has been good for staff morale and creating a good culture,” he said.
Mr Marinelli said he was proud that staff had embraced the concept of becoming carbon neutral, which the business had been for about 14 months.
The idea stemmed from staff member Simon Byers, who suggested the idea after he worked at a business in the United Kingdom that had carbon reduction procedures in place.
“It made me realise the level of understanding about this in Australia was a lot worse than in Europe,” Mr Byers said.
He said taking action to tackle climate change had now become a passion of his.
Mr Marinelli said he was pleased Mr Byers raised the idea with him and wanted to share Highview Accounting’s experience with other traders.
“Just to know you’re doing your little bit is great. And it’s not very onerous. A lot of the things are only small, but if you get 20 people thinking the same way and they tell another 20 then it accelerates fairly quickly.”
Mr Byers said staff members had approached him and told him they had started to implement carbon saving practices at home.
Casey councillor Amanda Stapledon has invited Mr Marinelli to address the council on carbon neutral business initiatives.
“What Highview Accounting has done is ground breaking for businesses in Casey and Victoria. There is a commitment by the organisation to educate other businesses on how simple it is to become carbon neutral. It is an important decision to make if we are to care for our environment,” Cr Stapledon said.