Australia's first carbon neutral full service lender - the writing is on the dunny door

Written on the 14th of April 2008 by Gordon Watson

Wilson National has become Australia’s first full service carbon neutral lender after being certified by the Carbon Reduction Institute in Sydney.

Wilson National became the first home loan lender in Queensland to become carbon neutral earlier last year and was officially recognised by the then Federal Minister for the Environment and Water the Honourable Malcolm Turnbull MP. Since that time Wilson National has expanded their product range to include personal loans, credit cards, business and equipment finance.

Wilson National offer lending products direct to the consumer as well as offering white label financial services to other organisations.

To ensure Wilson National remain carbon neutral the company undergo a strict quarterly audit, conducted by the Carbon Reduction Institute. This allows the Institute to detect any changes in the business, including increased staff travel, resource and energy use. Furthermore, Wilson National is in the process of registering with the Federal Government's Greenhouse Challenge.

Wilson National Managing Director Geoff Wilson says, “Reducing carbon emissions is an important issue that requires immediate action, and we are positioning our business for sustainable future growth.”

“Individuals and businesses are now ready to vote with their feet in terms of seeking out greener products - then add the introduction of the Carbon Trading System which will be introduced by the Federal Government, with in the next two years, and you have the ingredients for a ground swell of action on this issue.” Geoff adds.

Business Development Director Rob Morse says, " This is good for our business, as Australia's first carbon neutral full service lender Wilson National is in a unique position. Because we reduce and offset our carbon emissions all the products we offer are carbon neutral and can be considered 100% green. This gives our customers peace of mind, and our business customers a real competitive advantage."

Communications Director Gordon Watson says, “Becoming carbon neutral is about customer choice and communicating a message of sustainability with our key stakeholders, including our staff. For example, in our workplace we, recycle, adopt a ‘switch off’ policy, use floro low energy lighting, set air conditioning to 24 degrees, we purchase green energy from ActewAGL (GreenChoice product) and we even have a ‘how to use less energy poster’ on the back of the dunny door and in other locations around the office. Reducing carbon emissions has become fundamental to the success of our business.”

Although Australia is a relatively small emitter of CO2 on the global stage, Australia is the worst nation when it comes to the out put of CO2 on per capita basis at 28.2 tonnes per year - Queensland is then the worst state at 41.3 tonnes per capita, compared to the UK where the average is 11.01 tonnes per captia.

Wilson National becoming carbon neutral, and offering green lending products, is the equivalent of taking 21.2 cars off the M1 motorway or turning off 3,600 sixty watt light globes for one day.

To calculate your carbon footprint click here.

See other carbon neutral businesses.

For tips on how to reduce your energy use click here.

Tips to reduce your water use click here.

For more information about Wilson National contact us on 1300 288 828.