EarthCheck Chief Sustainability Officer Steve Newman: 3 Things to Know

EarthCheck has hired Steve Newman (pictured above) as chief sustainability officer (CSO), the ESG (environmental, social and governance) benchmarking, certification, and consulting company has announced.

Here are three things to know about Newman's expertise, and EarthCheck's sustainability strategy and services.

1. Organization Scope and Scale: EarthCheck, founded in 1987, is based in South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. The organization is a scientific benchmarking certification and advisory group for sustainable travel and tourism. Specifically, EarthCheck helps businesses, communities and governments to "deliver sustainable, clean, safe and prosperous destinations for travelers to visit, live, work and play." The organization's sustainability performance report for 2022 is posted here.

2. Steve Newman's Experience and Focus: Newman now leads the EarthCheck's ESG consulting services, while also embedding sustainability needs in all aspects of the organization's existing business units, EarthCheck said.

Newman previously was chief sustainability officer at Banyan Treen Hotels and Resorts. He joined that organization in early 2015 and held group director and managing director positions. Newman has also focused on research and adjunct responsibilities for multiple universities.

3. Executive Perspectives: In a prepared statement about Newman joining EarthCheck, CEO Stewart Moore said: “There’s a growing body of stakeholders – including investors and regulators – who recognise ESG issues as material, financial, commercial, legal and reputational risks and assets that need to be reported on and managed. Directors and boards now need to be building ESG considerations into their strategy and risk framework, and with Steve’s experience and expertise, he’s perfectly placed to help them do just that.”

Added Newman: “There’s pressure from regulators, customers and employees for businesses to do better, but these issues can be incredibly complex. EarthCheck, as specialists in sustainability, can guide these companies in the right direction. By enhancing our ESG service offerings, we can support clients to translate complex issues such as climate change, biodiversity and human rights into tangible, actionable strategies that they can implement throughout their organisation, so they can do what’s good for business and good for the planet.” 

And in a note posted on LinkedIn, Newman also said: "Excited about this new chapter, to be marrying sustainability and science with a fantastic and dedicated team helping so many organisations around the world. If you need help measuring your footprint, developing decarbonisation or sustainability strategies, upskilling your teams or your board, or evaluating and reporting progress to investors or stakeholders, EarthCheck does more than just benchmark and certify! Over 30 years of industry expertise means dedicated and specialised support that is hard to find."

EarthCheck Chief Sustainability Officer: Why Technology Partners Should Care

By 2027, 25% of Global 2000 companies will have assigned a chief sustainability officer (CSO) responsible for meeting their organization’s ESG goals and making ESG-related IT purchasing decisions, according to IDC.

The bottom line: Technology partners need to extend their sales, marketing, engagement and support strategies to successfully fulfill those CSO customer needs, Sustainable Tech Partner believes.