SBC Guest Blog: When is net-zero really net-zero?
While the spotlight last week was on the climate change risk reporting announcement from the Government, there was another significant announcement that went overlooked in New Zealand, but will change how you set credible and meaningful net-zero targets. Barbara Nebel has the details.
Even in the midst of an ongoing global pandemic, the list of companies, investors, universities, and cities leading the Race to Zero continues to grow. For some, this translates to setting ambitious carbon reduction targets, while others opt for a net-zero target. But how can a net-zero claim based on offsets move the needle on climate change? What criteria does it have to meet?
EECA energy end use database
The updated Energy End Use Database estimates national energy consumption broken down by fuel type, sector, end use and technology. National data is available for the 2017, 2018, and 2019 calendar years.
The database allows researchers, policy makers and the business sector to explore how energy is used by fuel type, sector, end use and technology. EECA has revised and improved data for a number of sectors in the database, including residential, and a range of industrial sectors.
Suncorp New Zealand a finalist for Sustainable Business Awards
Suncorp New Zealand has been named as a finalist for the Sustainable Business Network’s Climate Action Leader Award for 2020, for its commitment to renewable energy generation and reducing emissions.
100% renewable energy goals within reach for New Zealand businesses
New Zealand companies aiming for 100% renewable energy can now use energy certificates to achieve their ambitions.
The global RE100 initiative now recognises the New Zealand Energy Certificate System (NZECS), meaning that New Zealand businesses can purchase energy certificates to meet their RE100 commitment of sourcing 100% renewable electricity.
Suncorp New Zealand is one New Zealand business that has adopted a Certified Renewable Energy product through Meridian Energy.
Innovation-led LIC Launches ‘Ag-celerator’ Investment Fund
Leading agritech and herd improvement cooperative LIC has launched a new fund to support innovations with the potential to positively impact New Zealands valuable dairy sector. LIC has launched an early-stage investment fund, named the LIC AgCelerator
$3.2m EECA funding for 24 e-mobility projects
Electric truck, bus and bike projects are sharing in a $3.2 million government funding allocation.
The eighth round of the low emission vehicles contestable fund has been announced by energy and resources minister Dr Megan Woods with 24 successful applicants.
Recipients contribute a total $5m themselves under the fund administered by the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA).
Climate change needs Covid-level urgency from politicians
Z Energy chief executive, and CLC convenor, Mike Bennetts – the first guest on Stuff’s One Hot Minute video and podcast series – sets a challenge for the next Government.
It was part of the company’s move to renewable energy and to reduce emissions as it worked towards net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Clemenger Group NZ take environmental action
Clemenger Group New Zealand, which includes Colenso BBDO and Porter Novelli, has been award a Toitū carbonreduce certification, awarded to those making a viable effort to reduce their carbon footprint.
The group went under an evaluation which showed where it sat in terms of its footprint, and provided active measures the group could take to reduce it.
Jim Gall, CEO, says this is the next best step to ensure they have not only their clients needs in mind, but the country’s as well.
Industrial buildings worth billions could become stranded assets, warns new report
Billions of dollars of industrial buildings face becoming ‘stranded assets’ warns a new report by the Australian and New Zealand Green Building Councils today.
Green Star in focus: The case for sustainable industrial buildings warns of the increasing risk of significant industrial assets becoming stranded if they can’t show that they are low or zero carbon.
The report finds that new Green Star certified industrial buildings produce 66% fewer greenhouse gas emissions than standard buildings and shows that a minimal 2% upfront cost to support green design can result, on average, in lifecycle savings of 20% of total construction costs.
The report underscores that the technology, design, materials and expertise are available now to build more sustainable buildings which will meet investors’ growing demand for future-proofed investments that uphold environmental and social governance principles.
Fonterra’s first wood pellet-fuelled plant will fire up in September
Fonterra is one step away from pushing the go button on its first factory to convert from coal to wood pellet energy.
The dairy company’s Te Awamutu plant in the Waikato is putting the finishing touches on the $11 million power source conversion which could be used as a blueprint for its other factories around the country.
It was part of the company’s move to renewable energy and to reduce emissions as it worked towards net zero carbon emissions by 2050.