Cawthron Appoints Sustainability Expert to Key Management Role

Cawthron is pleased to announce the appointment of Jim Sinner as Sustainable Business Group Manager.

Jim Sinner is an experienced resource economist currently working as a Senior Fellow for Ecologic Foundation where he has been running a Foundation for Research, Science and Technology (FRST) project on Institutions for Sustainable Development.

He has also worked as a senior policy analyst and an independent consultant on significant projects including climate change (competitiveness issues; emissions trading), biosecurity, water management, fisheries, trade policy and other sustainability/resource management issues. 

Cawthron CEO Gillian Wratt says Jim’s skills will further strengthen Cawthron’s Sustainable Business Group. “Jim’s resource economics and policy knowledge is a valuable asset that will complement Cawthron’s existing economics, environmental research and modelling capabilities. His specialist expertise adds extra depth and enhances our ability to provide integrated business development advice that helps client businesses operate efficiently, profitably and sustainably”.

Gillian Wratt says that Jim’s recent research on Institutions for Sustainable Development will also be useful to clients. “The FRST project has looked at integrating the true cost of natural resources into the market economy and resolving tensions between democracy and sustainability. This is all new research that helps businesses understand the true nature of sustainability and having someone who has been leading that research as part of the Cawthron Sustainability team is very exciting”, she says.

Jim Sinner has also worked closely with central and local government, advising on policy options to encourage and reward sustainable business practice in fisheries, greenhouse gas emissions, water and air pollution, and water use.

Cawthron has been growing its Sustainable Business Group over the past few years and Jim’s appointment expands the team to seven.

Jim Sinner says he’s excited about the challenges of his new role. “I’m looking forward to adding my policy and economics skills to Cawthron’s great science capability, to work more closely with businesses and government agencies to address the challenges surrounding sustainability. I’ve worked in partnership with Cawthron in the past and have the highest respect for both their professional and personal manner, so it’s great to be joining the team”.

Cawthron works closely with a number of New Zealand’s largest businesses to help them develop and stay on sustainable pathways. Cawthron has been contributing to the sustainable management of New Zealand resources for over 80 years and can offer truly independent, reputable and unbiased advice on sustainability issues.

Cawthron’s Sustainable Business Group capability covers a wide range of areas including sustainability strategies to escape the compliance cycle, optimal and equitable resource allocation, green products, sustainable technology, sustainable primary industries, sustainable and organic food production, eco-tourism, and water conservation.

Jim Sinner commenced work in this role on September 3rd, 2007.