The business world has become increasingly crowded with net-zero pledges and sustainability buzzwords. But for companies who actually want to walk the talk, there’s a real solution that goes beyond the greenwash and creates lasting impact.
Designed for office-based businesses that are on the hunt for practical ways to reduce their carbon footprint, CitySwitch is much more than just a framework. It’s a practical way forward.
CitySwitch is Australia’s flagship decarbonisation program for office-based businesses, run by local councils like City of Sydney and partners like NABERS. It’s free to join and connects members with like-minded organisations, while helping each participant map out an achievable net-zero action plan.
That means whether you’re a small firm or a multinational, CitySwitch makes the path to sustainability highly actionable.
The service holds businesses’ hands through a range of impactful actions, including calculating baseline emissions, switching to renewable energy, carbon accounting options, and greening up your supply chain and circular economy.
With consumers and investors alike keeping a close eye on ESG (environmental, social and governance) factors, it’s a powerful program that Australian startups should consider.
Two businesses at different ends of the spectrum – large medical equipment manufacturer Boston Scientific and small architecture firm Baenziger Coles – have found value in CitySwitch in very different but equally meaningful ways.
“It’s meaningful to us”
“Boston Scientific is committed to net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions globally by 2050,” says Joseph Montgomery, Associate Supply Chain Director ANZ at Boston Scientific. “Our Australia operations are actively contributing to this company-wide mission.”
The Australian arm of the company, headquartered in Sydney, first partnered with CitySwitch back in 2022 as they were looking for guidance around how to make a real impact. “We are passionate about the environment, but what do you do?” says Harry Chiam, Senior Commercial & Pricing Analyst at Boston Scientific.
“Simply moving to paper straws isn’t going to do the job. CitySwitch helped us understand what additional actions we can take for additional impact.”
One of their biggest wins? Overhauling their freight practices. Since January 2025, Boston Scientific ANZ has successfully transitioned 6.83 metric tons of endoscopic products from air to sea freight – a shift that has resulted in an estimated reduction of 100 metric tons in greenhouse gas emissions, representing a 99 per cent overall decrease.
Boston Scientific’s switch to sea freight has been a game changer. Pictured: Peter Guirreri. Image: Supplied.
CitySwitch was instrumental in helping them calculate baseline emissions and spot the most high-impact areas. That gave the team clarity on Scopes 1, 2 and 3 and helped set the focus. Boston Scientific then redirected their efforts towards domestic freight, switching to a carbon-neutral logistics partner and absorbing a 30 per cent increase in cost because, as Montgomery puts it, “it’s meaningful to us, to our customers, our teams and our staff.”
And it isn’t just about emissions. Chiam says they have a recycling program at work using CitySwitch materials and templates, which has generated thousands of dollars that’s been donated to charity, as well as the growth of their Environment Committee across Australia and New Zealand.
They have also made moves in their supply chain, by asking big customers to order once a day rather than 10+ times a day. Consolidating orders has led to a 25 per cent reduction of emissions year on year, while also being more cost effective for the business.
“Grassroots change, not just a badge”
Over in South Melbourne, architecture firm Baenziger Coles has been a CitySwitch member for more than 14 years. Director Sue Coles says the real value comes from how integrated CitySwitch has become in their day-to-day operations and long-term mindset.
“CitySwitch is a valuable resource and business tool,” she says. “They have always been there for anything we want to pursue within our business. They are there as a partner providing free services that are valued by the business community. They support, guide and provide information, in a very collaborative environment.”
Over the years, Baenziger Coles has retrofitted their building with solar panels, energy-efficient Enerlogic window films and hydronic heating panels. They host sustainability events, use a worm farm to compost food waste and supply that compost to Heartscapes for the Melbourne Pollinator Corridor.
Sue Coles from Baenziger Coles. Image: Supplied.
But CitySwitch also helped them make bigger strides, like tracking emissions, improving their NABERS rating (now at 6 stars) and becoming carbon neutral with local offsets through the Aboriginal Carbon Foundation.
Sue is quick to point out the difference between surface-level actions and systemic change: “CitySwitch, in our view, has provided and maintained a grassroots approach and strategy where individuals and groups at the local level come together to create change.”
In other words, it’s not just buying a badge like some certifications. Instead, it’s helping organisations better understand the practical side of sustainability. And the base of information they were able to accumulate with CitySwitch over the years played a direct role in helping Baenziger Coles become a B Corp.
Their advice to other small businesses? “Join CitySwitch. And if you’re feeling lost about where to start on your energy and waste reduction journey and beyond, CitySwitch can help you out with templates and plenty of support.”
CitySwitch versus greenwash
One theme comes through clearly: CitySwitch cuts through the greenwash and makes sustainability achievable, not overwhelming.
Indeed, while it might be natural to believe that being sustainable will end up costing you money, many businesses are finding that they are actually saving money while also saving the planet. It’s a win-win.
Not only that, but CitySwitch can bring you into a wider network where you get to start talking to other businesses, councils and community groups. It gets you thinking about what else you can do.
And there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. CitySwitch meets businesses where they are – whether that means carbon accounting tools for multinational logistics or a worm farm for a small architecture studio.
To start your sustainability adventure or level up what you’re already doing, visit cityswitch.net.au.
This article is brought to you by Startup Daily in partnership with City of Sydney.
