Taking action to reduce New Zealand's climate impacts
BusinessNZ is awarded carboNZero certification.
New reports from the Royal Society of New Zealand highlight key climate change risks for New Zealand as well as possible mitigation options, including emissions solutions from Enviro-Mark Solutions.
Key risks for New Zealand include changing coastal margins, flooding, availability of freshwater, changes to oceans, ecosystem threats, and flow-on effects from impacts and responses overseas.
The magnitude of the risks depends on the rate and degree of temperature change, so reducing emissions early will help reduce the climate change implications. Landcare Research subsidiary Enviro-Mark Solutions offers a range of tools to help individuals and organisations measure and manage climate change impacts, and these solutions were featured as mitigation options in the report.
Local government, business, and individuals will all be affected by climate change but also have immediate opportunities if they engage with their impacts. The report is very timely, given Minister Paula Bennett recently travelled to New York to participate in the ceremonial signing of the Paris Agreement for world-wide emissions reductions.
The carboNZero and CEMARS programmes use science-based solutions and templates to help organisations measure emissions accurately so that they can be strategically managed and reduced. carboNZero programme members also purchase quality carbon credits to offset the emissions annually, ensuring a net zero impact.
In the last decade, more than 180 million tonnes of carbon dioxide have been measured and managed as part of these programmes, with over 577,000 tonnes offset so far. These all contribute to New Zealand’s larger emissions reduction goals, as well as preserving New Zealand’s reputation as clean and green.
Local government bodies holding CEMARS certification, including Kapiti Coast District Council, Wellington City Council, and Dunedin City Council, are all ensuring resiliency for rate payers, as well as encouraging wider action for households and businesses in those areas.
Business advocacy network Business NZ became carboNZero certified last year and is able to demonstrate the advantages of low carbon operation directly to business members.
Some businesses have been active in the carboNZero programme for over 9 years, meaning they have had a net zero impact on the climate for nearly a decade, including Snowberry New Zealand, Urgent Couriers, and Antipodes Water. Others, like Yealands Wine and Ecotricity, have held certification since inception – so they have never had a negative climate impact.
Organisations like these model the path to a low carbon economy, and many of them choose to work together, creating a network of like-minded future-proofed organisations. But it isn’t just government and business that can make a difference.
Enviro-Mark Solutions has adapted its world leading software to provide free calculators for households and travellers to measure and offset emissions as well. On average, more than 30 tonnes are offset each month, with many users creating accounts so they can reduce and offset their household impacts on an ongoing basis.
A further advantage to New Zealand generated through Enviro-Mark Solutions’ work on climate mitigation is the fact that the most popular type of credits are Permanent Forest Sink Initiative (PFSI) credits generated by native forestry projects, such as Hinewai Reserve near Christchurch and Pigeon Bush near Wellington. The funds from credits purchased by Enviro-Mark Solutions on behalf of members and individuals have directly resulted in more land and resources for those projects, ensuring ongoing restoration of native biodiversity as well as carbon sequestration.
Enviro-Mark Solutions will continue to apply Landcare Research’s solid science to its commercial solutions, inspiring action for New Zealand’s low carbon economy.
By Ann Smith, Chief Executive of Enviro-Mark Solutions
Enviro-Mark Solutions is a Landcare Research subsidiary focused on inspiring action for a better environment through its science-based and business-tested environmental certification programmes.
Gallery
Wellington Mayor Celia Wade-Brown, centre left, receives the CEMARS certificate from the Chair of Enviro-Mark Solutions Vicky Taylor.
BusinessNZ is awarded carboNZero certification.
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