OUR Commitment
OUR
Commitment
our sustainability commitment
We care about the communities we work in, the people who work with us and the people who work for us. Our commitment spans our practices, policies and performance across Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles.
We know that aligning ourselves with these guiding principles will make Inovo more resilient, future-proof our business and set us up for long term success.
At Inovo we commit ourselves to:
- Identifying our baseline – where we are today
- Doing better than we have done before
- Being accountable for our commitments and providing robust reporting
- Investing in learning and surrounding ourselves with professionals who can advise us
- Putting policies, practices and tools in place that enable us to set goals for future improvements
In turn, we can collaborate with and advise our clients and design teams to shape their sustainability visions,strategies and success criteria to give them and their projects the greatest impact. In practical ways, this could include:
- Aiding our clients in planning and idea generation
- Consideration of ideas which help shape the sustainable objectives and success criteria of the project
- Recommendations of suitably qualified consultants and contractors
- Preparation of sustainability management plans
- Auditing, benchmarking, and reporting against sustainability success criteria
- Ensuring that the design team and contractors understand the sustainable requirements of theproject and that these are implemented through the project
- Preparation and management of a unique contract which spells out the requirements of thesustainable project
- Ensuring that the design team and contractors understand the sustainable requirements of the
project and that these are implemented through the project - Ensuring that variations throughout the construction phase meet the sustainability requirements
Environmental
Our environmental factors include our energy use and efficiency, our greenhouse gas emissions and carbon footprint, how we contribute to ecological growth or biodiversity and how we manage our waste.
Some ways we demonstrate our commitment:
toitū carbonreduce certified business
As a company, we have a duty to reduce our own environmental footprint. Inovo wanted to gain an understanding of our direct and indirect environmental impacts and seeks to promote and guide sustainable practice within our workplace to help make environmental sustainability “the way we do things around here”.
To achieve Toitū carbonreduce certification, we had to measure all operational greenhouse gas emissions required under the international standard for carbon footprints, ISO 14064-1, including vehicles, business travel, fuel and electricity, paper, and waste. The emissions are measured annually, and the inventory is independently verified to ensure it is accurate and complete.
We are committed to continuing to measure our carbon footprint, and more importantly, implement strategies to manage and reduce the impact of our emissions.
To achieve Toitū carbonreduce certification, we had to measure all operational greenhouse gas emissions required under the international standard for carbon footprints, ISO 14064-1, including vehicles, business travel, fuel and electricity, paper, and waste. The emissions are measured annually, and the inventory is independently verified to ensure it is accurate and complete.
We are committed to continuing to measure our carbon footprint, and more importantly, implement strategies to manage and reduce the impact of our emissions.
Building and Project Certification Tools
Within Inovo we have experienced and trained advisors and practitioners in sustainable building practices for residential and commercial projects. We can advise on the best tools and methodologies to incorporate throughout the project process. We'll recommend suitably qualified consultants and contractors in the sustainability sector who can assist in determining the most beneficial solutions and assist with taking a project through Greenstar or Homestar accreditation, while considering best-for-project costs and outcomes.
Inovo can offer assistance with:
Greenstar
Homestar
WELL accreditation
NABERS
Lifecycle Analysis
Passivhaus / Passive House principles
Carbon Zero / Low Carbon
Inovo can offer assistance with:
Greenstar
Homestar
WELL accreditation
NABERS
Lifecycle Analysis
Passivhaus / Passive House principles
Carbon Zero / Low Carbon
Environmental Management
We have been involved in a number of projects that required strict environmental management process requirements. These have included requirements on excessive noise, vibration control and surface water protection.
Social
Our social factors include cultural inclusivity, contributing to and collaborating with the communities we live and work in, equal employment opportunities, fair pay, diversity in the workplace, training and development opportunities, workplace health, safety and wellbeing, and responsible supply chain choices.
Incorporating cultural diversity into our teams and our projects adds a richness and depth to our creativity and creates a meaningful connection between people and place. It allows us to remain relevant as we create and shape our built environment. By embracing diversity, we attract the very best talent to work with us, we also give appropriate consideration to the use of land, to express our unique culture in design and be respectful of tikanga in our processes.
Incorporating cultural diversity into our teams and our projects adds a richness and depth to our creativity and creates a meaningful connection between people and place. It allows us to remain relevant as we create and shape our built environment. By embracing diversity, we attract the very best talent to work with us, we also give appropriate consideration to the use of land, to express our unique culture in design and be respectful of tikanga in our processes.
Some ways we demonstrate our commitment:
Diversity Within
At Inovo, our creative people are our greatest asset. We know that the more diverse we are, the broader the ideas, the better the strategies and the more robust the solutions we offer our clients will be. We aim to provide all of our people with an equal opportunity to build a career with Inovo within an environment that embraces and celebrates our differences.
We looked within our organisation and we have team members from at least different 16 ethnic backgrounds, each bringing unique aspects to the roles we play in our delivery for our clients. Inovo’s team is currently 34% female, which still has a way to go but a great start for historically male dominated professions.
Diversity within Inovo helps to spark innovation, brings broad perspectives to our work and enhances our relationships with each other and our clients.
We looked within our organisation and we have team members from at least different 16 ethnic backgrounds, each bringing unique aspects to the roles we play in our delivery for our clients. Inovo’s team is currently 34% female, which still has a way to go but a great start for historically male dominated professions.
Diversity within Inovo helps to spark innovation, brings broad perspectives to our work and enhances our relationships with each other and our clients.
Te Ao Māori
Inovo recognises that tangata whenua have a distinct and special relationship with the land, soil and water as taonga (treasures). Inovo are committed to partnering with tangata whenua to establish a collaborative working relationship. Inovo has experience in delivering culturally diverse projects and also in consulting and collaborating with tangata whenua to better execute cultural narratives and interests in our projects.
This could include:•
Understanding the site’s historic significance
Developing long-lasting relationships that help to shape design, encourage advice and allow for Māori input
Language and interpretations
Sourcing and utilisation of materials
Incorporating Te Ao Māori language, customs and protocols
Ensuring work progresses adhering to Māori cultural guidelines
Understanding how the buildings should be positioned and used
We acknowledge that we continue to learn and strive to embed our learnings into our future practices.
This could include:•
Understanding the site’s historic significance
Developing long-lasting relationships that help to shape design, encourage advice and allow for Māori input
Language and interpretations
Sourcing and utilisation of materials
Incorporating Te Ao Māori language, customs and protocols
Ensuring work progresses adhering to Māori cultural guidelines
Understanding how the buildings should be positioned and used
We acknowledge that we continue to learn and strive to embed our learnings into our future practices.
Project Health & Safety
We implement a Health & Safety Policy that manages the safety of all staff, contractors, clients and the public on our projects which covers the entire project life cycle. We ensure safety in design features are implemented on site, advise on site specific health and safety risks or concerns, observe working practices and ensure hazard identification and accident forms are completed and actions are closed out with processes put in place to mitigate recurrence.
Stakeholder engagement
We recognise the wider stakeholder group that will benefit or be impacted by both that project process and the completed result. Through careful planning we will recommend processes for collaboration and consultation that ensures buy-in from key stakeholders. This allows improved project delivery, with increased efficiency and effectiveness, and improved project reporting with effective and consistent engagement with key stakeholders.
In particular, we recognise the benefits of prioritising cultural engagement with all relevant stakeholders, and ensuring all learnings are taken forward into the design and processes. Inovo are committed to partnering with tangata whenua to establish a collaborative working relationship.
In particular, we recognise the benefits of prioritising cultural engagement with all relevant stakeholders, and ensuring all learnings are taken forward into the design and processes. Inovo are committed to partnering with tangata whenua to establish a collaborative working relationship.
Social Procurement Rules
We regularly work with government departments and Crown agencies which require work to occur within strict social and sustainable procurement frameworks.
One example is in our work with Kāinga Ora, where we have adhered to the Pā Harakeke framework. In practical terms Pā Harakeke provides commitments to considering and providing for Māori interests, creating opportunities for Kāinga Ora customers to be involved in projects, consideration of suppliers who are connected with the community, enabling opportunities for Pasifika and social enterprises to deliver into projects, investing in skills development and pathways to employment as well as leading in environmental sustainability.
One example is in our work with Kāinga Ora, where we have adhered to the Pā Harakeke framework. In practical terms Pā Harakeke provides commitments to considering and providing for Māori interests, creating opportunities for Kāinga Ora customers to be involved in projects, consideration of suppliers who are connected with the community, enabling opportunities for Pasifika and social enterprises to deliver into projects, investing in skills development and pathways to employment as well as leading in environmental sustainability.
Governance
Our governance factors include sturdy corporate governance, risk management, ethical business practices, integrity and transparency in processes and relationships.
While not the largest of businesses at sub-100 employees, Inovo has executed a robust company structure to ensure that strategic and operational decisions are undertaken at the appropriate level. Inovo’s Board consists of the company owners and associates. This is a prerequisite and is one of the cornerstones of Inovo. Our owners need to be active, passionate, understand the business and be devoted to the company.
A Senior Leadership Team (SLT) of nine, which covers each service area of the business and also the Finance and Practice Manager, meets regularly to plan, discuss and implement the operational requirements and strategic direction of the business. The SLT has a vigilant oversight of the workstreams undertaken by the business and the projects Inovo has committed to executing with excellence.
We recognise the need for succession planning, progression and personal development of our team. We are also committed to providing a development pathway for highly motivated individuals who deliver excellence, demonstrate the attributes and commitment required to implement the company’s strategy, and a desire to go above and beyond.
Inovo thrives through a close working relationship with its ‘sister’ company, Hierarchy Group, allowing the flexibility to tap into a broader skill set of architects, designers and quantity surveyors as needed.
While not the largest of businesses at sub-100 employees, Inovo has executed a robust company structure to ensure that strategic and operational decisions are undertaken at the appropriate level. Inovo’s Board consists of the company owners and associates. This is a prerequisite and is one of the cornerstones of Inovo. Our owners need to be active, passionate, understand the business and be devoted to the company.
A Senior Leadership Team (SLT) of nine, which covers each service area of the business and also the Finance and Practice Manager, meets regularly to plan, discuss and implement the operational requirements and strategic direction of the business. The SLT has a vigilant oversight of the workstreams undertaken by the business and the projects Inovo has committed to executing with excellence.
We recognise the need for succession planning, progression and personal development of our team. We are also committed to providing a development pathway for highly motivated individuals who deliver excellence, demonstrate the attributes and commitment required to implement the company’s strategy, and a desire to go above and beyond.
Inovo thrives through a close working relationship with its ‘sister’ company, Hierarchy Group, allowing the flexibility to tap into a broader skill set of architects, designers and quantity surveyors as needed.