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Sustainability FAQs
Answers to frequently asked questions about sustainability. Check out our sustainability blog or ask us a question.
> What does sustainability mean?
> I’m already recycling our rubbish. Is this helping to reduce landfill waste?
> What is a Carbon Footprint?
> Why is Westpac involved in money management programmes?
> What topics are covered in a Managing Your Money workshop?
> What sponsorships are Westpac currently involved with?
> I’m worried about the global warming situation but what can I as an individual do to help?
> Given the current so called ‘recession’, how feasible is Westpac’s commitment to a sustainability plan right now?
> Who is the Halberg Trust?
> How long has Westpac been sponsoring the Rescue Helicopters?
What does sustainability mean?
Sustainability is often summarised as the ability to ‘meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs’*
We believe that sustainability means a clean environment (environmental), quality of life (social) and meeting financial and economic needs (economic), of current and future generations.
*World Commission on Environment and Development 1987
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I’m already recycling our rubbish. Is this helping to reduce landfill waste?
Yes it is, but unfortunately this is not enough. The best way to reduce landfill waste is to first reduce the amount of rubbish going in the bin. For example you could choose products with little or no packaging, or packaging which is re-usable. For more ideas on how to reduce your rubbish, visit the sustainability.govt.nz website.
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What is a Carbon Footprint?
A carbon footprint is a measure of all greenhouse gases we produce based in units of tonnes (or kg) of carbon dioxide equivalent. We produce greenhouse gases in our everyday lives through burning fossil fuels for electricity, heating and transportation for example.
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Why is Westpac involved in money management programmes?
As a major bank, we believe it is important to help people to manage their money. Our free Managing Your Money programme was put together to help provide anyone (not just Westpac customers), with a better understanding of basic money matters, and help them to make smarter decisions around money. The programme is made up of free workshops and an online tutorial as well as helpful tips and tools. We also offer products and services that help to manage your money everyday.
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What topics are covered in a Managing Your Money workshop?
The free workshop is designed to provide an understanding and awareness of basic money matters such as budgeting and making your money go further. It’s an interactive and impartial workshop that’s around 2 hours long, which can be adapted to fit the audience (schools, workplaces or community groups).
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What sponsorships are Westpac currently involved with?
Westpac has a proud history of sponsorship and supporting community organisations and services that benefit Kiwis from all walks of life. This means we get involved with a diverse range of sponsorships both regionally and nationally, such as
Westpac Rescue Helicopters  
The Halberg Trust  
Sir Peter Blake Trust  
Westpac Stadium  
Business Excellence Awards around New Zealand  
New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards  
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I’m worried about the global warming situation but what can I as an individual do to help?
Many of our day to day activities contribute to greenhouse gas emissions which gather in the atmosphere and trap the sun’s heat. By becoming more sustainable, you can reduce the impact of your carbon footprint. Imagine multiplying your individual efforts with the efforts of others in your community - what a difference your combined efforts would make.
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Given the current so called ‘recession’, how feasible is Westpac’s commitment to a sustainability plan right now?
What better time is there? Running a healthy business whilst taking care of our customers, community and environment, makes more sense now than ever. With tough economic times people want/need to get back to basics, which means making small changes to help balance out the effect of the ‘recession’ on their everyday lives. This in turn makes us more sustainable for the future (financially, socially or environmentally). In many cases these changes will help save money too.
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Who is the Halberg Trust?
The Halberg Trust was established in 1963 by legendary New Zealand athlete Sir Murray Halberg, to give people with disabilities the chance to be more active, more often. The main goals are to support regular ongoing activities that build skills and confidence, and to remove barriers to active leisure and sport. In 2007 we became the principal sponsor.
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How long has Wesptac been sponsoring the Rescue Helicopters?
We have been supporting the Rescue Helicopters for nearly 30 years, since 1981. We’re the main sponsor of the Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington and Christchurch rescue helicopter services and an associate sponsor of the West Coast, Tauranga, Taupo, Palmerston North, Rotorua and Nelson rescue helicopter trusts.
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The information on this page is presented subject to our legal page and any other terms and conditions that Westpac may impose from time to time. It is subject to change without notification.
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