Auckland Unlimited has gained Toitū carbonreduce certification. The certification, which is a first for the recently formed Auckland Council controlled organisation, shows continued commitment to the goals of Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri: Auckland's Climate Plan.
While Toit≈´ carbonreduce certification is a first for Auckland Unlimited, it builds upon the climate change commitments and previous carbon certifications achieved by its legacy organisations Regional Facilities Auckland, and Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development.
“Both of our legacy organisations took pride in their commitment to carbon reduction, and it is exciting to be able to re-assert this in our first year together as Auckland Unlimited," says Auckland Unlimited chief executive Nick Hill .
Nick says Auckland Unlimited is determined to play its part in helping our region tackle the challenges posed by climate change that are captured in Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri: Auckland's Climate Plan Рwhich sets clear goals for carbon reduction for our region.
“These are goals we must all take seriously. Our Toit≈´ carbonreduce certification enables us to get a clear picture of where we are and carve out a plan for where we can be.”
He encourages other organisations to measure their carbon impacts and think to the future.
“When we released the Climate Change and Economic Recovery: Challenges Facing Auckland Businesses, and Using Recovery to Build Resilience reports earlier in the year, we talked about how COVID-19 had given us a taste of the factors – including supply chain and workforce disruptions – that will be present in an economy impacted by climate change.
"It is important we all play our part to measure, track and improve."
The certification measured emissions consumed by activities across Auckland Unlimited operations at Auckland Live, Auckland Conventions, Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki, Auckland Stadiums, Auckland Zoo, New Zealand Maritime Museum, non-production film studios, GridAKL and its corporate unit.
In addition, Auckland Zoo proudly achieved Toit≈´ carbonzero certification for the fifth consecutive year. Having set an initial target of 20 per cent reduction in total emissions by 2022, and then implementing an active management programme, Auckland Zoo has so far reduced its total annual emissions by 36 per cent since the first measurement year.
Recognising the severe threat that human-induced climate change poses to life on Earth, and for the urgent need for the World’s nations to prevent global warming of 1.5oC above pre-industrial levels, Auckland Zoo is committed to ensuring it is not directly contributing to climate change.
“As a conservation science organisation, our work for wildlife and wild places is inherently tied to the issue of climate change, and being a carbonzero certified organisation is integral to who we are,” says Auckland Zoo director Kevin Buley.
“It is great to use the Toit≈´ carbonzero framework as the leading indicator of our sustainability.
"Right now, wildlife species throughout the world are under serious threat because of the way we are all using natural resources unsustainably, polluting the environment, and destroying natural habitat. Reducing our environmental footprint is the most important conservation action we can all take for the planet.
"If we all work to reduce our impact on the environment, we’re also working to help species and their habitats to survive, both locally and globally."
