Home > Publications > Newsletters > Issue 9, April 2010

Business developments – 2010 so far

Is it April already! 2010 does seem to be rushing by at a great pace, which I suspect is indicative of a fast-growing business. We started the year with two new staff members joining the carboNZero team, namely Josephine Rudkin-Binks as our Auckland-based New Zealand Sales Manager and Daniela Ramirez, who takes up a newly created position as our Business Development Manager – Chile.

Formerly from the UK, Josephine brings a wealth of experience with her extensive background in sales and business management across a broad spectrum of services. Working closely with existing and new clients, Josephine coordinates our full support services to ensure all of our customers are able to get the very most out of their carbon footprinting and certification with the programme.

Likewise, Daniela comes to us with an extensive background in Environmental Management Systems as an environmental engineer with experience in ISO 9001, ISO 14001 as well as an MSc in technology and environmental management from the University of Malaya, Malaysia.

Daniela’s appointment signals our entry into the Latin American market as part of our growth strategy. Similar to our New Zealand and Australian clients, many companies in Chile and neighbouring countries are being challenged to report their carbon footprint to the likes of supermarket giants such as Walmart in the US and Tesco in the UK. Being an internationally accredited greenhouse gas (GHG) certification scheme under ISO14065 we are able to provide a solution for these companies and their products with a certification that is automatically recognised in 50 major economies.

Using our standards also means that irrespective of where a company is located their scope and boundary is reported using the same measurement criteria – making it truly fair when it comes to comparisons. I am pleased to say that that our work on the various international panels continues to push forward the need to have a standard methodology for organisational and product footprinting to ensure a level playing field for our exporters when it comes to carbon matters.

I am also pleased to report that such is the profile and reputation of the carboNZero programme we are now drawing the attention of global brands, who, like our clients back here in New Zealand, are wanting to make robust and creditable carbon claims. Most recently Emirates announced with great pride carboNZero certification of their Wolgan Valley Resort and Spa, situated in the Blue Mountains near Sydney. This is the first of a number of initiatives we are working on in partnership with the Emirates Group. We are also on track to make some pretty big announcements later this year in respect to other global brands as we continue to raise the profile of both our CEMARS and carboNZero certification brands, thus further strengthening the value proposition for all our clients large and small.

Mike Tournier
Business Manager
carboNZero programme

 

The carboNZero programme and the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme

The New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme (NZ-ETS) is now operating for forestry; companies from other sectors will start participating this year. We congratulate all those involved in government and participating companies for a successful start to New Zealand’s trading regime.

The number of companies involved, outside of forestry, is very small – 5 companies representing liquid fuels and around 45 companies involved in stationary energy are required to participate from 1 July 20101. However, all New Zealanders will be affected by the economic impact of carbon in downstream supply chains, i.e. by 3 cents per litre for petrol/diesel and 1 cent per kWh for electricity2.

There is a lot of confusion about what the NZ-ETS means and myths abound. In this article, we dispel the myths and encourage you to focus attention on the underlying purpose of the NZ-ETS, which is to reduce national greenhouse gas emissions. We refer to UK3 and Australia4 government regulations that define the actions that companies should take before making a carbon neutral claim. We also look at what international opinion leaders are saying about carbon neutrality.

Participating in the NZ-ETS makes the participating companies carbon neutral? No

• FACT: The NZ-ETS covers only certain emitting activities of the participating companies5.

It is essential that regulatory schemes address only Scope 1 (direct) and Scope 2 (indirect) emissions and avoid double counting. This only tells part of the story and is not satisfactory for a carbon neutral claim6. A corporate carbon neutral claim must cover a significant portion of the company’s overall climate impacts, including Scope 3 (indirect) emissions7.

Both the UK3 and Australian4 regulations make it clear that a corporate carbon neutral claim should base the measurement of emissions on ISO 14064-1:20068.

The NZ Commerce Commission9 and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC)10 state that an unqualified claim of carbon neutrality risks misleading consumers if a company has only considered Scope 1 emissions.

• FACT: The NZ-ETS does not impose a cap on emissions of the participants11.

Both the UK3 and Australian4 regulations emphasise that corporate carbon neutral claims must demonstrate what has been done to reduce emissions.

Unless a business measures, reduces and then offsets its carbon emissions, with the second and third of these steps undertaken within an additionality framework, any claims to carbon neutrality should be approached with caution12.

• FACT: The liquid fuels and stationary energy participants joining the NZ-ETS in July 2010 will surrender one emissions unit (NZU) for each two tonnes of emissions reported13.

Surrendered emissions go to the Crown Account in the New Zealand Emissions Unit Register (NZEUR) where they can be used by the Government to meet the national Kyoto obligations or they could be reallocated to another sector in the future.

Both the UK3 and Australian4 regulations make it clear that offsets equivalent to all the remaining emissions must be cancelled, i.e. not able to be further traded or used again as an offset for another organisation.

Both the Commerce Commission9 and the ACCC10 emphasise that the offsets used to make a carbon neutral claim must be additional to business as usual as defined by the Kyoto Protocol. The ACCC points out that complying with regulatory requirements is not additional.

Table 1: Comparison of international best practice for making a corporate carbon neutral claim with requirements of the NZ-ETS.

 

The petrol and diesel that I purchase will be carbon neutral? No

• FACT: The five companies that will report to the NZ-ETS on liquid fuels are required to report the volume of refined oil products removed from a refinery or imported. The volume of product is multiplied by standard emissions factors specified by the Regulations, based on the 2007 average energy content of the fuels14.

The reported emissions do not take into account the life cycle emissions associated with the fuel. Both the Commerce Commission9 and the ACCC10 make it clear that carbon neutral claims for products must take account of the life cycle of the product in the measurement of the product’s emissions, i.e. extraction of raw materials, transport of materials, processing, packaging, distribution, retail, use by consumers, and disposal of waste at end of life of the product.

The UK3 and Australian4 regulations state that product carbon neutral claims should base their measurement of product emissions on a suitable life cycle standard, e.g. ISO 14044:200615 or PAS 2050:200816. Note that PAS 2050:2008 calls up product category rules that can be sourced via the International EPD Consortium17.

A corporate operational emissions inventory takes into account the emissions due to combustion of any fuel used by vehicles owned and operated by the company, where the calculation is similar to that being used by the NZ-ETS. This is not the same as the measurements required before claiming that a product is carbon neutral. The increase in price of petrol/diesel to reflect the cost of carbon does not confer any offset to your purchase of the fuel.

Table 2: Comparison of international best practice for making a product carbon neutral claim with requirements of the NZ-ETS.

 

My company does not need to take voluntary action because our liabilities are covered by the NZ-ETS? No

• FACT: Regulated companies may wish to take additional voluntary action6.

Given the level of concern about the impacts of climate change, it is understandable that many companies and individuals want to do more to reduce their impact on climate change than that required by regulation. We cannot afford to dismiss demand for voluntary action, which has a legitimate and potentially powerful role in driving tangible emissions reductions throughout the economy. A vibrant voluntary market complements an emissions trading scheme; it does not distort or interfere with it.

When the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS) was announced, the Australian Department of Climate Change declared that Greenhouse Friendly, the voluntary government scheme, would cease to operate18. Companies that had been participating in Greenhouse Friendly made it clear that they wanted to continue taking voluntary action even though many of them would have to participate in the CPRS. As a result, the National Carbon Offset Standard (NCOS) was developed and will start operating from 1 July 2010.

• FACT: The majority of New Zealand companies will not directly participate in the NZ-ETS1.

Many companies report their greenhouse gas emissions even though they are not required to do so by regulation. They do this as part of their annual reporting, because their shareholders are concerned and because their boards require carbon liabilities to be quantified.

Other companies are required to report emissions due to supply chain pressure from overseas retailers such as Tesco, Marks & Spencer, Walmart etc.

• FACT: The NZ-ETS does not require the data reported to be verified. It is effectively a self-declaration. However, there are severe penalties if the regulator decides to check the data and finds that it is incorrect19.

When reporting emissions on a voluntary basis, there are serious reputational penalties for getting the numbers wrong or for making misleading claims. In one case, of a company that applied to become carboNZero certified, we found that their consultants had missed 26% of the emitting activities that the company owned and operated. In another case, we found an error of over 100,000 tonnes CO2e in the unverified number the company had reported publicly.

We cannot emphasise enough the importance of measuring and reporting emissions in compliance with an internationally recognised standard and having that information verified by a suitably qualified independent third party. This provides assurance over your data and gives your Board and shareholders confidence that your public claims can be relied upon.

Both the Commerce Commission8 and the ACCC9 recommend that you get your carbon claims certified and that your certifier is accredited.

ISO 14065:200720 is the international standard for accrediting verifiers of greenhouse gas claims. There are 17 companies accredited to this standard by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI)21 and three companies accredited by the Joint Accreditation System of Australia and New Zealand (JAS-ANZ)22. The carboNZero programme (including CEMARS, carboNZero certification and Small Enterprise Certification) is accredited to ISO 14065:2007 by JAS-ANZ.

When your company becomes CEMARS or carboNZero certified, your greenhouse gas emissions inventory is certified to ISO 14064-1:2006 and your additional emissions reduction and offset achievements are certified as meeting the requirements of our standards. When your product is carboNZero certified, the product measurement is aligned with PAS 2050:2008.

My company will have to prepare two separate inventories for the NZ-ETS and the carboNZero programme? No

• FACT: It is a fundamental principle of CEMARS and the carboNZero programme that companies should be able to prepare one inventory and report into a number of different schemes.

In version 2.0 of our scheme documents, we have integrated regulatory requirements into the measure guidance as well as government guidance on voluntary greenhouse gas reporting. This version is already operating in the UK where our clients can report into the new Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) regulation from their CEMARS inventory and we have taken into account the guidance on voluntary corporate greenhouse gas reporting published by the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).

The CEMARS inventory is more comprehensive and more robust than regulatory requirements. A number of our UK clients have confirmed this in public presentations. Where the UK regulatory scheme has different emissions factors, we have included these in E-Manage, our online emissions inventory management tool.

For our Australian clients, we have integrated the requirements of the National Carbon Offset Standard (NCOS) into our certification requirements.

We are currently working with New Zealand clients to integrate their NZ-ETS reporting requirements into their CEMARS inventory. We will be adding the NZ-ETS emissions factors to E-Manage.

Voluntary schemes like the carboNZero programme will be closed by the government? No

• FACT: The carboNZero Strategic Business Unit is a division of Landcare Research New Zealand Limited, which is a Crown Research Institute owned by the New Zealand Government.

Our assessment by JAS-ANZ included accreditation to ISO 14065:2007 and ISO/IEC Guide 65, which makes the carboNZero programme an accredited greenhouse gas certification programme and the carboNZero Strategic Business Unit a conformity assessment body for product certification. JAS-ANZ was established under international treaty by the Australian and New Zealand governments and is a member of the International Accreditation Forum (IAF). Therefore, our accreditation is recognised by both the New Zealand and Australian governments. Certificates issued by the carboNZero Strategic Business Unit are recognised in all the member states of the IAF.

In New Zealand, a number of government entities and state owned enterprises are CEMARS or carboNZero certified. Over 50 UK companies are participating in CEMARS through our partner Achilles Information Limited and we have clients in Australia, South America and the United Arab Emirates. You can see all our certified clients on the carboNZero website23.

Overseas, we receive positive and welcome support from the New Zealand High Commission and New Zealand Trade & Enterprise (NZTE), just like any other export company.

Separate Item

Beware of a new form of greenwash

Some companies are reporting that their emissions inventory is verified to ISO 14064-1:2006 as evidence of their “green” credentials.

Measuring your greenhouse gas emissions to an international standard is an important step in the journey to taking action to reduce your emissions. However, it is only the first step and it cannot be used to claim that you have been certified as improving your environmental performance, i.e. that you are a low carbon or carbon neutral company.

Certification by an accredited verifier that your company’s green house gas inventory meets the requirements of ISO 14064-1:2006 does provide assurance over the numbers that you report, but it is not a “green” credential. It simply means that the emissions that you have reported for one 12-month measurement period have been verified in compliance with ISO 14064-1:2006. The confidence that your stakeholders can have in your numbers depends on the level of assurance and the materiality to which the inventory was verified.

CEMARS and carboNZero certification provide assurance that your inventory is in compliance with ISO 14064-1:2006 and it additionally certifies that you have met the emissions reduction and offset requirements of our standards. The carboNZero programme (including CEMARS and Small Enterprise Certification) are accredited under ISO 14065:2007 as a greenhouse gas certification programme that requires Measure, Manage (and Reduce) and Mitigate (or Offset) requirements to be achieved in order for a company to be certified – see our page on the JAS-ANZ register24. Because both CEMARS and carboNZero certification are confirmation that an organisation has taken action to improve an aspect of its environmental performance, i.e. reduce emissions, these are “green” credentials.

Professor Ann Smith
Technical and Certification Manager
carboNZero programme

References

1. www.climatechange.govt.nz/emissions-trading-scheme/participating/index.html
2. www.mfe.govt.nz/cabinet-papers/str-09-11-1.pdf
3. UK Government Quality Assurance Scheme for Carbon Offsetting http://offsetting.defra.gov.uk/cms/
4. National Carbon Offset Standard www.climatechange.gov.au/government/initiatives/carbon-offset.aspx
5. www.mfe.govt.nz/publications/climate/development-industrial-allocation-regulation-ets/annex1.html
6. The Climate Group (2009) The role of voluntary action in light of the CPRS and Australia’s ratification of the Kyoto Protocol. www.theclimategroup.org/_assets/files/The-role-of-voluntary-action-in-light-of-CPRS---May-2009.pdf
7. Clean Air-Cool Planet and Forum for the Future (2008) Getting to Zero: Defining Corporate Carbon Neutrality www.cleanair-coolplanet.org/documents/zero.pdf
8. International Standards Organisation (2006) Greenhouse gases Part 1: Specification with guidance at the organization level for quantification and reporting of greenhouse gas emissions and removals.
9. New Zealand Commerce Commission (2009) Guidelines for Carbon Claims. www.comcom.govt.nz//FairTrading/DraftGuidelinesonCarbonClaims/ContentFiles/Documents/guidelinesforcarbonclaims.pdf
10. Australian Competition and Commerce Commission (2008) Carbon Claims and the Trade Practices Act. www.carbonneutral.com.au/accc_carbon_claims_trade_practices_act.pdf
11. www.climatechange.govt.nz/emissions-trading-scheme/basics.html
12. Simpson Grierson (2008) It’s not easy being green. www.simpsongrierson.co.nz/publications/fyis/fyi-climate-change-emissions-trading/its-not-easy-being-green.html
13. www.mfe.govt.nz/publications/climate/emissions-trading-bulletin-11/index.html#summary
14. www.mfe.govt.nz/publications/climate/emissions-trading-bulletin-9/emissions-trading-bulletin-9.pdf
15. International Standards Organisation (2006) Environmental management – Life cycle assessment – Requirements and guidelines.
16. British Standards (2008) Publicly Available Standard: Specification for the assessment of the life cycle greenhouse gas emissions of goods and services.
17. www.environdec.com
18. www.ansica.org/wwwversion2/outside/ALLdirectoryListing.asp?menuID=200&prgID=200&status=4
19. www.jas-anz.com.au/register
20. www.carbonzero.co.nz/members/organisations_certified.asp
21. www.climatechange.gov.au/greenhousefriendly
22. www.climatechange.govt.nz/emissions-trading-scheme/input-and-engagement/stationary-energy-and-industrial-processes/workshops-ets-reporting-101.pdf
23. International Standards Organisation (2007) Greenhouse gases - Requirements for greenhouse gas validation and verification bodies for use in accreditation or other forms of recognition.
24.  www.carbonzero.co.nz/members/seccertified.asp,
25.  www.carbonzero.co.nz/members/events_certified.asp
26.  www.carbonzero.co.nz/CEMARScertified/cemarscertified.asp
27. www.jas-anz.com.au/register

 

Why buy carboNZero certified products?

The carboNZeroCertTM programme predominantly focuses its marketing at the business-to-business level. The CEMARSTM and carboNZero certification brands would usually be found in high profile business/industry publications – National Business Review, The Independent, Exec Digital magazine, NZ Marketing Magazine, Wine Technology Magazine, etc. – profiling the benefits of achieving robust greenhouse gas certification for your business, the value in obtaining a credible carbon footprint claim that will stand up to the upmost scrutiny, and also boasting the significant accolades that have contributed to their world-leading position.

There is no denying that this approach has achieved significant value for the programme, but due to client feedback we now acknowledge that there is a very important segment of the market that needs to be addressed – the consumer!

As such, we asked marketers of some of our certified products how we can target their customers and consequently we have a variety of initiatives planned for the next 12 months.

We will continue our relationship with HB Media, who produce ‘Good’ magazine, ‘The Good Shopping Handbook’ and ‘Idealog’. As well as these we are also looking at publications that speak directly to the consumer, e.g. Consumer magazine, Mindfood, Cuisine and Healthy Food Guide magazine. We are also preparing information cards that explain the value of the carboNZero certification mark to consumers, which will be useful for in-store promotion and buyer information packs, particularly for international markets.

As part of our aim to increase awareness of carboNZero-certified products, during 29 March – 4 April we placed a tile on Trade Me which simply said “Buy carbon neutral products and services”. This linked through to the list of certified products and services on our website. In total there were 1,516,583 hits in seven days.

In order for carboNZero-certified products to gain value from their certification, the significance of what they have achieved must be conveyed to their customers. The people that purchase Pitango soups, Yealands Estate wines, NZ Fresh Cuts salads, Antipodes water and Snowberry skincare products must be aware of the stringent process that the company went through to obtain the certification mark on their products and they need to understand exactly what it means.

When you buy a carboNZero-certified product it means that the product in your hand has zero GHG emissions. What does that actually entail? It means the organisation that made the product has measured how much the product impacts on the environment in terms of its production, use and disposal and has taken measures to reduce and mitigate the impact to zero.

Or to explain even further, the organisation has measured all the embodied emissions in the ingredients and packaging that make up the product, the emissions involved in transporting the product, producing the product, and distributing the product to retailers. Consumers should note that in most cases emissions related to retailers, consumption and disposal of the product are excluded as they are considered to be outside the operational control and influence of the organisation (that produces the products).

On one side we need to reach the right people and on the other side we need to ensure that we deliver accurate and strong messages that mean something. We need to portray the value of certification to the consumer and hopefully start to influence their purchasing decisions.

One thing is for sure: the research is in our favour. Consumers are shifting their attitudes and buying habits as they become more discerning about sustainability and the environment. According to a Boston Consulting Group survey, more shoppers bought green products in 2008 than in 2007. Also, the March 2010 edition of Consumer magazine stated that “sixty-two percent of consumers say they take the environment into account at least some of the time when they’re buying goods and services”.

These consumers have been termed LOHAS (lifestyles of health and sustainability). According to the New York Times, July 2003, “It may be the biggest market you have never heard of”. LOHAS has emerged as a significant market globally, worth in excess of US$550 billion annually. These consumers share common values and make choices about the companies they deal with based on their desire for a more meaningful, healthier and sustainable existence. They are socially and environmentally aware, and conscious that their purchasing decisions have implications. Some 30% of New Zealanders are defined as LOHAS and the market here is estimated to be worth $2 billion per annum.

People want to feel good about what they buy so the carboNZero programme will endeavour to translate the carboNZero certification logo into a language that consumers understand. However, the organisations that produce the certified products should also recognise the benefits of communicating their GHG certification results and achievements in a meaningful way to their target market.

It is clear that a market exists for carboNZero-certified products; we just need to enlighten consumers.

Kathryn Hailes,
Marketing and Communications Manager,
carboNZero programme

 

International Business Update

Companies that operate on a trans-Tasman basis will need to keep abreast of the current and planned legislation in both New Zealand and Australia in terms of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reporting. The Australian Government is strongly committed to reducing Australia's carbon pollution. The Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS) is the main driver to achieve this important environmental goal.

Following successful passage of legislation, it is expected that the CPRS will commence on 1 July 2011, where it will ensure that Australia meets its National Emissions Target of reducing emissions by as much as 25% below 2000 levels by 2020.

The Australian Government has also made a commitment to develop a National Carbon Offset Standard (NCOS) to provide national consistency and give consumers confidence in the voluntary carbon offset market. The NCOS will provide the function of the existing Greenhouse Friendly™ scheme, which is due to be phased out in July 2010.

In Australia, the key aspects of the CPRS will be as follows:

• Large emitters (those with obligations under the scheme for GHG emissions of 125,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent or more) will be required to have their emissions reports audited by an independent third party before submitting them to the scheme regulator.
• Auditing of emissions will be under the NGER Act (National Greenhouse Energy Reporting System).
• In addition to the NGER’s guidelines, ISO 14064-3:2006 (specifications with guidance for the validation and verification of GHG assertions) could be used.
• Assurance and verification must be consistent with the ability of the market to provide that service in a timely and cost-effective manner.

The CPRS will focus on driving high polluting businesses towards low pollution alternatives. Transforming the energy sector is a measure that the Australian Government is supporting via renewable energy and carbon capture and storage.

The carboNZero programme has a strategic vision to be one of the top three international GHG certification schemes worldwide. Key to that vision is to ensure the carboNZero programme and CEMARS remain compliant with core individual countries’ GHG reporting requirements.

Mark Klouwens
carboNZero programme
International Business Development Manager

 

Upgrades and changes in the IT department

The carboNZero programme must sadly farewell an esteemed member of the team. Guy Harris has been the carboNZero programme’s very capable and reliable IT Systems and Project Manager for the last three years and prior to that spent five and half years working for the wider Landcare Research.

Guy managed the carboNZero programme calculators and web applications, plus supporting software and servers. He was also responsible for project management of IT-related projects such as E-Manage.

Guy departs for England with his family where he intends to continue working in the carbon management industry, applying his project management skills and considerable IT experience.

Guy has been replaced with James McLafferty. James’ previous role was at Kathmandu where he was the Applications Support Manager. He has an increasing interest in caring for the environment and the impact individuals have on global problems.

James has a Bachelor of Commerce and Physical Education from the University of Otago. He has been working with technology and businesses in NZ and the UK for over 10 years. When he is not working he can be found out in the hills or down a river enjoying the outdoors.

James will continue to provide certified clients with the most up to date and robust IT tools. As such, we would like to remind you that E-Manage has recently undergone a software upgrade.

You can look forward to a variety of new features, these include:

• Ability to rename and delete business units
• New window for report viewing
• Ability to create business units through the bulk upload
• Robustness built into the bulk upload to allow for more datasets
• More messages and guidance for bulk importing
• Progress tables showing what stage the bulk importing is up to
• History of new business units created
• Cleaner and less cluttered look and feel

If you have any queries please call 0800 269 376

www.emanage.co.nz

 

Small enterprises take big actions to combat climate change

At last, the long-awaited upgrade of small enterprise documents is here and these are available for our new and recertified clients to use! As noted in our last newsletter, the new batch of documents includes:

• Certification application form and disclosure page template (The information entered in the certification application form is also used as the basis for your disclosure page, so no more doubling up on entering data or the need to copy and paste your information across from application to disclosure page template!)
  
  
• Certification application – guidance material (all guidance texts, instructions and reference material are now provided in a separate manual that clients can optionally download. In this manual you will find detailed explanations and useful examples that can help you complete your application form.)
  
  
• Data recording spreadsheet (the template is available for download as an option if you are not sure where to start, or just want a more logical way to record your data. This spreadsheet should speed up your measuring and application process by showing you exactly what information you need to record and how. You will also find that your verification audit will be a breeze with this spreadsheet clearly showing the verifier where and how you extracted the figures from the raw data.)
  
  
• Verification checklist (This is a new document that’s not previously been mentioned; this checklist has been prepared to help your organisation get ready for your small enterprise verification/audit. It is important that you are well prepared for the verification audit in order to meet the objectives of the verification and to avoid unnecessary delays.

Since our last newsletter (December) we have issued ten small enterprise certifications:

Business Systems Marlborough Limited

The Copier Company (Marlborough) Ltd, trading as Business Systems Marlborough, is the largest provider of total office equipment and document solutions in the Marlborough/Kaikoura area. As such the company is proud to also be one of the first photocopier/computer companies to achieve carboNZero certification, in conjunction with Ricoh NZ. Business Systems Marlborough is committed to reducing emissions as well as developing plans for future implementation of programmes to sustain ongoing reductions.

Oceania Printing Technologies Limited (Auckland)

Oceania Printing Technologies Ltd (OPTL) is an exclusive authorised Ricoh dealership that specialises in document printing and management solutions throughout New Zealand and the South Pacific. The carboNZero programme has assisted OPTL in identifying and prioritising cost-effective opportunities for ongoing reductions in GHG emissions in the business. Through engaging with the carboNZero programme, OPTL has developed initiatives aimed at directly reducing emissions, and intends to develop plans for future implementation, directed at raising awareness and embedding a culture of environmental sustainability amongst its staff and clients.

Southland Copier Company (Invercargill) Limited

Southland Copier Company Ltd is an exclusive authorised Ricoh dealership that specialises in document printing and management solutions for Southland. Based on the requirements of Landcare Research’s carboNZero programme, Southland Copier Company Ltd has identified and prioritised cost-effective opportunities for the ongoing reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the business.

The Copier Company (Nelson) Limited

The Copier Company Ltd is one of the largest providers of multifunctional devices and printers in the Nelson, Tasman and West Coast area. The company is proud to also be the first photocopier company to achieve carboNZero certification, in conjunction with Ricoh NZ. The Copier Company Ltd is committed to reducing emissions as well as to developing a plan for future implementation of programmes to sustain ongoing reductions. This plan includes initiatives aimed at directly reducing emissions as well as raising awareness and assisting in cultural changes.

Central Otago Copiers Limited

The Central Otago Copier Company is an exclusive authorised Ricoh dealership that specialises in document printing and management solutions for Central Otago. Based on the requirements of Landcare Research’s carboNZero programme, the company has identified and prioritised cost-effective opportunities for the ongoing reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in its business.

Hawke’s Bay Document Technologies Limited

Hawke’s Bay Document Technology Ltd (HBDT) is an exclusive authorised Ricoh dealership that specialises in document printing and management solutions for the Hawke’s Bay and is committed to achieving and maintaining carboNZero certification. Some of the reasons why HBDT is undertaking the carboNZero small enterprise certification include: to achieve bottom-line cost savings, reduce GHG emissions, set targets and systems for ongoing monitoring, and to reflect Ricoh Group’s global commitment to environmental sustainability.

Northland Document Solutions Limited

Northland Document Solutions Ltd is an exclusive authorised Ricoh dealership that specialises in document printing and management solutions in the Northland area. For Northland Document Solutions Limited, taking responsibility for the impacts its business has on the environment is central to the way it conducts its business. Its GHG reduction plan, as with the carboNZero programme, is fully supported by directors and managers of Northland Document Solutions Limited.

Business Applications Limited

Business Applications Ltd's directors and staff all wished to be involved in a full company review of its operations. In light of its environmental footprint, the company has implemented improvement programmes with significant first-year results. The company set a realistic initial energy reduction of 5% per year over four years. Within its first year it achieved a 22% reduction. While being extremely satisfied with this result the company intends to continue striving for further reductions and to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills, the electricity used by its office, and to introduce a recycling project.

Lowndes Associates

Lowndes Associates are corporate and commercial law specialists. The firm has an extensive international practice and exclusively represents in New Zealand one of the largest international networks of law firms. “Our firm’s decision to be carbon neutral is not just for the ‘feel good’ factor; in fact, it’s fundamentally a business decision. Consumers are demanding that companies demonstrate responsibility, and in a global marketplace, New Zealand firms across all industries face a real risk of being left behind unless they show decisiveness in modifying their practices.”

Peru Café – recertified

Peru Café Ltd, trading mainly as Inca-Fe and Icoco, is committed to processing and selling only certified organic coffee. Peru Cafe operates as a family-owned, large-capacity boutique coffee roaster using coffee sourced primarily from Peru, where the company has a large network of affiliates. Its motto is “where we have a choice to make things better at a little effort, let’s do it”. Inca-Fe coffee can be purchased online, at locations such as New World and other New Zealand supermarkets, and leading cafes, restaurants, specialty organic and deli stores.

May Chang
Account Manager
carboNZero programme

 

Are you thinking “green” at Convene?

Events that bring many people together can often be a valuable opportunity for awareness-raising and learning. But these same events can cause adverse environmental impacts (i.e. impacting energy, water, greenhouse gas emissions and waste).

No matter what size the event, there are clear business and environmental benefits to be gained by the organisers, performers and attendees when the event measures and reduces its impact on the environment.

The environmental footprint of events large and small is gaining increasing attention worldwide, from the Olympic Games to a concert in a local town-hall – Convene Auckland (held at the SKYCITY Auckland Convention Centre, Tuesday 20 April 2010) is no exception.

As such, Convene Auckland 2010, in partnership with the carboNZero programme, would like to announce its inaugural “green” award.

Competition application forms will be available on the Convene website a week prior to the event. The form will ask exhibitors to outline the steps they have taken to prevent, reduce, reuse, recycle or offset the environmental effects of their stand.

Roll out the green carpet and get creative – how will your staff travel to/from the expo? Are you going to provide handouts/giveaways? How will you minimise waste and energy consumption?

Judging will be based on several factors but please note that they only relate to your stand and attendance at Convene (as opposed to your organisation in general). The winner will receive two hours of environmental consultancy from the carboNZero programme and a selection of carboNZero-certified wine. Please ensure your applications are returned to the registration desk no later than 11 am on 20 April.

Convene would like to encourage all exhibitors to be involved as their commitment will contribute towards minimising Convene’s negative environmental impact and also bring a number of benefits, for example, conserving energy, reducing waste, lowering greenhouse gas emissions and, of course, saving money.

The winner will be announced at the exhibitors’ drinks at the end of the exhibition.

 

Success story - Invitation Programme for Future Business Counterparts from New Zealand

May Chang from the carboNZero programme has been selected from a long list of candidates to represent Landcare Research in the Invitation Programme for Future Business Counterparts from New Zealand (FBC.NZ). FBC.NZ is a 12-day programme that provides young professionals with the opportunity to visit Japan and experience its society, culture, and people. The programme includes lectures on Japanese society, visits to major Japanese industries, and interaction with Japanese people. Global environmental protection measures taken by Japanese corporations will also be covered in a cross-sectoral manner.

The programme targets up-and-coming young professionals who will assume greater responsibilities in the coming years and who have a strong interest in strengthening economic relations with Japan. The aim is to give them a greater understanding of doing business between the two countries and, in doing so, to foster relationships between Japan and New Zealand, including playing a leading role in exploring the new frontiers in economic ties.

FBC.NZ is an integral part of the JENESYS Programme (Japan-East Asia Network of Exchange for Students and Youths), launched by the Japanese Government in 2007. JENESYS is a large-scale youth exchange programme inviting about 6,000 young people to Japan mainly from the East Asia Summit (EAS) member states (ASEAN, Australia, China, India, New Zealand and Korea) every year for five years. The scheme includes invitations to up to 50 New Zealand professionals, including those from the business sector.

 

Watch this space... Hatched: The capacity for sustainable development

We are pleased to announce publication of Landcare Research’s e-book of research findings, stories and tools about the capacity required for New Zealand’s long-term success.

It covers five main areas:

• Thinking and acting for long-term success – can NZ be a future maker not a future taker?
• Businesses as sustainability innovators – improving and marketing businesses’ sustainability performance.
• Individuals as citizen consumers – what it takes to live sustainably.
• Facing up to wicked problems – creating solutions to complex, value-laden and multi-party problems.
• The future as a set of choices – the next steps needed for NZ’s long-term success.

It is a summary of over six years’ work on a wide range of different projects with a wide range of organisations in New Zealand and internationally. It covers research undertaken with businesses, across policy sectors, and with communities and individuals. Much of this was identified as highly innovative and of a very high quality by its main funding agency, the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology.

The carboNZero programme features in Section 2 “Business – as sustainability innovators”, Chapter 12.

As society grapples with the immensity of global change issues, there is an increasing demand for sound technological solutions and New Zealand is well placed to provide these through its mix of innovation, insight and strong relationships between business, government and researchers.

Hatched has been written for practitioners working within the public, business and community sectors and is free to download at www.hatched.net.nz.  The screen-friendly version has hyperlinks to key research papers and websites.

We hope you will enjoy reading the parts of the book that are most relevant to you.

 

For more information or to submit information for the next newsletter please contact Kathryn Hailes, carboNZero programme Marketing and Communications Manager, free phone 0800 CNZERO (0800 269376), or view our website: www.carbonzero.co.nz

 

 

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