Landcare Research - Manaaki Whenua

Landcare-Research -Manaaki Whenua

Sustainability policy

Scope

Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research and our subsidiary company, Enviro-Mark Solutions Limited, develop knowledge and provide expertise to improve New Zealand's biodiversity, land environments, business and society. Sustainability is at the core of all we do. Whilst our work has positive outcomes, it consumes resources and impacts the environment; therefore this policy covers all activities undertaken by our organisation in the field and at our research sites, and acknowledges priority to maintaining our financial viability and legislative compliance.

Policy Statement

Manaaki Whenua adopts the Sustainable Business Council’s sustainable development principles.

This policy outlines the intentions and aspirations of Manaaki Whenua and our subsidiary company, Enviro-Mark Solutions Limited, to be a leading organisation in establishing best-practice for environmental, financial, social, and cultural sustainability in New Zealand and accordingly, we will.

  1. Deliver on our core purpose to drive innovation in New Zealand’s management of terrestrial biodiversity and land resources.
  2. Commit to fulfilling all our operational and research compliance obligations.
  3. Commit to the protection of the environment, including pollution prevention of New Zealand’s:
    3.1 Land resources, land-use and sustainable land resource management.
    3.2 Terrestrial ecosystems, biodiversity and their ecosystem services.
    3.3 Atmosphere - from greenhouse gas emissions affecting climate change.
  4. Consider the impact of our business decisions on the four elements of sustainability, find a reasonable balance between conflicting demands, and report on how we manage this.
  5. Set and regularly review challenging objectives/targets and report our progress against these.
  6. Minimise and mitigate the adverse effects of our activities on the environment, including offsetting our operational greenhouse gas emissions.
  7. Manage our environmental risks by maintaining and continually improving an environmental management system to ISO14001 standard.
  8. Consider sustainable supply chain practices in our procurement decisions.
  9. Foster a safe, healthy and happy work environment that supports individual development, team-work and a positive work life balance.
  10. Honour the Treaty of Waitangi and encourage Māori participation through active engagement with Māori.
  11. Respect diversity, including different cultures, ethnicities and beliefs.
  12. “Walk the talk”. Continue building relationships with stakeholders, end-users and local communities to foster improved sustainability practice in New Zealand.

Richard Gordon (CEO)

Date: 31 October 2016