title: Do the right thing: Why we require sustainable business reports and what you can do about it.

authors: Martin, Kelly

subjects: corporation reports

abstract: The article focuses on the international initiatives that urge the use of sustainability business reports by organisations particularly corporations. It says that the United Nations (UN) joined with Ceres to create a Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) organisation that will help organisations use their sustainability performance information in reporting. It adds that the Accounting for Sustainability Forum (A4S) partnered with GRI to create the International Integrated Reporting Committee (IIRC).

text: Do the right thing: Why we require sustainable business reports and what you can do about it. The article focuses on the international initiatives that urge the use of sustainability business reports by organisations particularly corporations. It says that the United Nations (UN) joined with Ceres to create a Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) organisation that will help organisations use their sustainability performance information in reporting. It adds that the Accounting for Sustainability Forum (A4S) partnered with GRI to create the International Integrated Reporting Committee (IIRC).

year: 2011

title: Effect of spacers on axial capacity of cold-formed steel back-to-back gapped channel sections

authors: Divi, Seshagiri Rao

abstract: The use of cold-formed steel (CFS) gapped back-to-back channel sections is becoming popular, especially in New Zealand and South-East Asia. Introducing a gap between the back-to-back channels enhances resistance to lateral-torsional buckling. Previous research has investigated gapped built-up channel sections with spacers but hasn't determined the optimal number of spacers relative to length. Also, little attention has been given to how transverse spacing affects the axial capacity of these sections. This study fills those gaps by developing and validating a non-linear elastoplastic finite element (FE) model against experimental data. A parametric study of 1000 FE models examine the effects of column length, CFS section thickness, materials properties, and spacer spacing, on the axial capacity of gapped built-up columns. Key findings include: (1) Up to a column length of 4000 mm, three equally spaced spacers optimize compressive strength in gapped sections. (2) Optimal transverse spacing aligns with the channel web depth, offering no significant strength increase beyond 1.5 times the web depth. (3) Gapped sections show a substantial average increase (424%) in compressive strength over single-channel configurations, and a moderate improvement (125%) compared to non-gapped built-up sections. (4) FEA results closely match the predictions of AS/NZS4600:2018, differing by only 5% in compressive strength.

text: Effect of spacers on axial capacity of cold-formed steel back-to-back gapped channel sections The use of cold-formed steel (CFS) gapped back-to-back channel sections is becoming popular, especially in New Zealand and South-East Asia. Introducing a gap between the back-to-back channels enhances resistance to lateral-torsional buckling. Previous research has investigated gapped built-up channel sections with spacers but hasn't determined the optimal number of spacers relative to length. Also, little attention has been given to how transverse spacing affects the axial capacity of these sections. This study fills those gaps by developing and validating a non-linear elastoplastic finite element (FE) model against experimental data. A parametric study of 1000 FE models examine the effects of column length, CFS section thickness, materials properties, and spacer spacing, on the axial capacity of gapped built-up columns. Key findings include: (1) Up to a column length of 4000 mm, three equally spaced spacers optimize compressive strength in gapped sections. (2) Optimal transverse spacing aligns with the channel web depth, offering no significant strength increase beyond 1.5 times the web depth. (3) Gapped sections show a substantial average increase (424%) in compressive strength over single-channel configurations, and a moderate improvement (125%) compared to non-gapped built-up sections. (4) FEA results closely match the predictions of AS/NZS4600:2018, differing by only 5% in compressive strength.

year: 2024

title: Will access to COVID-19 vaccine in Aotearoa be equitable for priority populations?

authors: Whitehead, Jesse

abstract: AIM: This research examines the equity implications of the geographic distribution of COVID-19 vaccine delivery locations in Aotearoa New Zealand under five potential scenarios: (1) stadium mega-clinics; (2) Community Based Assessment Centres; (3) GP clinics; (4) community pharmacies; and (5) schools.
METHOD: We mapped the distribution of Aotearoa New Zealand’s population and the location of potential vaccine delivery facilities under each scenario. Geostatistical techniques identified population clusters for Māori, Pacific peoples and people aged 65 years and over. We calculated travel times between all potential facilities and each Statistical Area 1 in the country. Descriptive statistics indicate the size and proportion of populations that could face significant travel barriers when accessing COVID-19 vaccinations.
RESULTS: Several areas with significant travel times to potential vaccine delivery sites were also communities identified as having an elevated risk of COVID-19 disease and severity. All potential scenarios for vaccine delivery, with the exception of schools, resulted in travel barriers for a substantial proportion of the population. Overall, these travel time barriers disproportionately burden Māori, older communities and people living in areas of high socioeconomic deprivation.
CONCLUSION: The equitable delivery of COVID-19 vaccines is key to an elimination strategy. However, if current health services and facilities are used without well-designed and supported outreach services, then access to vaccination is likely to be inequitable.

text: Will access to COVID-19 vaccine in Aotearoa be equitable for priority populations? AIM: This research examines the equity implications of the geographic distribution of COVID-19 vaccine delivery locations in Aotearoa New Zealand under five potential scenarios: (1) stadium mega-clinics; (2) Community Based Assessment Centres; (3) GP clinics; (4) community pharmacies; and (5) schools.
METHOD: We mapped the distribution of Aotearoa New Zealand’s population and the location of potential vaccine delivery facilities under each scenario. Geostatistical techniques identified population clusters for Māori, Pacific peoples and people aged 65 years and over. We calculated travel times between all potential facilities and each Statistical Area 1 in the country. Descriptive statistics indicate the size and proportion of populations that could face significant travel barriers when accessing COVID-19 vaccinations.
RESULTS: Several areas with significant travel times to potential vaccine delivery sites were also communities identified as having an elevated risk of COVID-19 disease and severity. All potential scenarios for vaccine delivery, with the exception of schools, resulted in travel barriers for a substantial proportion of the population. Overall, these travel time barriers disproportionately burden Māori, older communities and people living in areas of high socioeconomic deprivation.
CONCLUSION: The equitable delivery of COVID-19 vaccines is key to an elimination strategy. However, if current health services and facilities are used without well-designed and supported outreach services, then access to vaccination is likely to be inequitable.

year: 2021