Good Environmental Choice Australia welcomes new CEO

GECA is pleased to welcome Ian Higgins, as its new CEO. Mr Higgins is a former CEO of both Greenpeace Australia-Pacific and of WWF Australia and is a former Commissioner of the Australian Heritage Commission. While with the NSW Government, he was responsible for overseeing programs like GreenPower and the Australian Building Greenhouse Rating Scheme.

He is currently Chair of the Advisory Panel of OgilvyEarth, Ogilvy PR Worldwide's sustainability practice in Australia. GECA Chair, Edward Warcaba, said the appointment of Ian Higgins to the GECA Board and Chief Executive's position came at a time when there was an explosion in demand from consumers for robust, reliable environmental labelling. Mr Higgins brings to the organisation a wealth of knowledge and experience and we look forward to the next phase of GECA's continuing growth.

GECA Engages McKinsey & Company
In November, the board of Good Environmental Choice Australia began working with McKinsey & Company on setting best practice governance, structure and processes for NGO's to enhance GECA's ability to manage continuing demand for its services. Strategies will be progressively implemented during 2009. The board wishes to thank Josh McConnell from McKinsey and Company for his work.

New GECA Certifications
During the last six months GECA has awarded 45 new licences. The last quarter for 2008 saw more new licences granted than any other period. Visit our website to see the latest certified products www.geca.org.au.

GECA's certifying body, Good Environmental Choice Services continues to service both domestic & international company's and manage the growing demand for certification work. GECS is also supported by NCSI and Davis Langdon.

GECA Member Forums held in Melbourne, Sydney & Brisbane
Good Environmental Choice Australia held a series of member events during November and December where attendees got to hear the latest consumer research conducted by GECA and Mobium Group, the successful Orange Power consumer marketing campaign with Cool Change that is driving a sales increase of 30%, and insights into why our new CEO Mr. Ian Higgins, a long time conservationist has joined GECA.

The feedback from members was that the presentations were highly informative, the format was right and they want to see more regular events from GECA. So by popular demand, we are putting on another series of events in March 2009 where we aim to present more on GECA marketing campaigns planned for 2009 and the latest information that will benefit our members.

Mobium LOHAS 2 Report
For those that were not able to attend the GECA member events, here is an insight to the Australian LOHAS research from Mobium. Despite new research showing more Australian consumers believe their buying choices can have a positive impact on the environment, almost nine in ten are sceptical about the health and environmental claims companies make about their products and services.

The findings by Mobium Group reveal the number of consumers who want to 'do the right thing' by the environment through their purchasing choices has risen by almost one-third since last year, from 62 per cent to 82 per cent.

But the number of Australian consumers who doubt 'green' claims has increased significantly over the same period, with 88 per cent now saying they are dubious about the 'eco', 'green' and 'environmentally friendly' assertions companies make.

The findings are part of Mobium Group's second annual Consumer trends report, Living LOHAS 2. GECA members will receive a special discount on the Living LOHAS 2 report. Mobium Group is a Melbourne-based company specialising in research, strategy and innovation in the markets for sustainability and wellbeing.