carboNZero participant organisations
Participant organisations are small businesses and organisations with a greenhouse gas inventory or carbon footprint less than 50 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2e) that are taking action to reduce their emissions. These organisations are not certified. The participant option is no longer available and has been replaced by the Small Enterprise Certification Programme.
- Helipark New Zealand
- Lowndes Associates - small enterprise certification pending
- Quakebake
- Sean Weaver
Expired participants are listed on the Suspended and withdrawn clients page.
Participant organisations have measured and reduced their emissions and neutralised remaining unavoidable emissions. To meet the requirements of the carboNZero programme, carbon credits used as offsets must be independently verified, additional, permanent and cancelled. The offset projects contribute to the reduction of New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions through native forest sinks, the generation of renewable energy and the recovery of landfill gas.
HeliPark New Zealand
At HeliPark New Zealand (formally known as Mt Potts Backcountry) we realize that the concept of environmentally friendly heliskiing may sound like an oxymoron but we love the snow and want to do our bit to preserve it. We became a participant in the carboNZero program as we believe many of our clients share our concerns for the environment. Our current environmental program includes offsetting unavoidable helicopter emissions, using a really quiet helicopter and Mt.Potts Lodge, HeliPark's base, runs on renewable hydro power. We're also composting, recycling and using locally sourced produce where practical.
Lowndes Associates
Lowndes Associates is an Auckland-based corporate and commercial law firm advising New Zealand and international clients. Becoming New Zealand’s first carboNZero-certified law firm was important to the firm because it recognises the significance of climate change issues. Lowndes Associates wants to highlight that climate change has become a live business issue. The firm is concerned that New Zealand companies face a real risk of being left behind, and may lose business to overseas competitors, unless they take decisive action. 'Climate change issues are not just "feel good" issues; they relate to brand, customer relationships, competiveness, staff relationships, revenue and expenses.' Lowndes Associates wanted to demonstrate that being carbon neutral is relevant to a service industry and that becoming carbon neutral is an affordable process. More so, as the firm is already making cost savings from the steps being taken to reduce its carbon footprint. Lowndes Associates has established a specialist climate change practice group advising clients on climate change and carbon trading issues including developing commercial contracts that adequately reflect climate change risks, opportunities, benefits and liabilities.
Quakebake
Quakebake is a small artisan certified-organic baker which creates biscotti, gingerbreads, cakes, slices and savoury crackers, with some products being glutenfree or containing indigenous ingredients. 'Quakebake products are affordable indulgences, suitable as gifts or simply to enjoy. Taking part in the carboNZero programme is a natural extension of being a certified organic producer. The benefits of operating an environmentally responsible business will go further than just helping a little to stabilise climate change. Taking action now will lessen human impacts in other areas such as deforestation, which causes loss of biodiversity in plant and animal life, and pollution from exhaust fumes, and slow down depletion of natural resources. Obviously there is some time and labour commitment necessary; for example, keeping records like weight and destination of courier deliveries of Quakebake products, in order to calculate fuel consumption and carbon emissions. However, it provides a real incentive to plan a business with climate change in mind. I have fitted my place out with modern equipment which has low energy ratings and where possible from a New Zealand manufacturer (e. g. baking ovens, refrigeration). Other features include, solar-heated water, double glazing and proper insulation of the building. Having done this I have enjoyed pleasing cost savings, which can only grow in years to come. Furthermore, sizeable advantages from product marketing have yet to come through, but there are a growing number of customers who appreciate the efforts of a carbon neutral business; some of my customers explicitly say it swayed their purchase decision my way.'
Sean Weaver
Dr Sean Weaver is Principal of Carbon Partnership and a Senior Lecturer in environmental studies at Victoria University of Wellington. His work currently focuses on climate change mitigation projects both in New Zealand and Vanuatu, and international climate change policy at the UNFCCC. He established and leads the Vanuatu Carbon Credits Project, which is an international collaboration to help the Vanuatu Government build capacity to access carbon finance for sustainable development in the forest and energy sectors. He also leads a project exploring carbon and ecosystem services finance for Māori forest-owners in Southland.
Even though his work is directly involved in reducing emissions and protecting carbon stocks, he is committed to ensuring that the work has a low carbon footprint. The emissions that he and his team cannot avoid for these projects (e.g. air travel) he offsets by purchasing carbon credits from the carboNZero programme.
