1. Communicating
Sustainability – how to
get the balance right
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Chair: Renee Hancock, Member, GRI Australian Advisory Group
James Ensor, Director Public Policy, Oxfam
Rod McGuinness, Social Media Producer, ABC
Kelvin O’Connor, Chief Operating Officer, Henry Davis York

2. Henry Davis York
Communicating Sustainability
How to get the balance right
27 March 2012
Kelvin O’Connor
Chief Operating Officer

3. Communicating Sustainability
How to get the balance right
About Henry Davis York
• One of Australia’s oldest law firms operating from a main office in
Sydney’s CBD and a smaller office in Brisbane
• Recognised practices include Banking & Finance, Restructuring &
Insolvency, Property & Construction, Environment & Planning, Dispute
Resolution, Financial Services, Corporate & Commercial and
Workplace Relations & Safety
• Private Partnership – no requirement for any public reporting
• Commenced sustainability program in 2005, with reporting in 2008

4. Communicating Sustainability
How to get the balance right
Fourth year of public Sustainability Reporting
2008, GRI C+ 2009, GRI C+ 2010, GRI C+ 2011, GRI C+
AA1000AS (2008) AA1000AS (2008) AA1000AS (2008) External Verification

5. Communicating Sustainability
How to get the balance right
Audience and Challenges
• ‘ALL’ Stakeholders
• Readability vs statistically heavy
• Not a “Glossy”
• Open and transparent view of who we are
and what we stand for
• Talk about the sensitive issues that
face the profession

6. Communicating Sustainability
How to get the balance right
The whole truth and nothing but the truth
• Commitment from the board to become a leader in our sector
• Sustainability is not a competition
• Stated ‘up front’ any impediments to our progress
• Truth in performance against targets
• Transparency and honesty
• The importance and value of external assurance

7. Communicating Sustainability
How to get the balance right
Dealing with the sensitive issues
• Gender and equal opportunity
• Staff Engagement
• Health and well being
– 2.5 times national average for depression across the profession
– Don’t dwell on issues – focus on outcomes
– Consider and act on all material issues