Environmental consciousness
E tata tapahi; e toa te whakatū. It takes a long time to repair the harm caused by a rash act.
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| One of our EBEX21® sites. Image - Sarah Richardson. |
Manaaki Whenua is an organisation driven by the belief that our science should benefit New Zealand's long-term sustainable develosspment. This belief applies not only to our research outcomes, but also to our own activities and, where we are able to in?uence others, to our impact on their actions as well.
In several research projects we are working with business and industry, government departments and local government agencies, and other science providers on initiatives to reduce the impact of their activities on the environment. First priorities are generally the areas where organisations have some direct control, e.g., reduce, reuse and recycle. Good sustainable practice also means using influence to encourage others to improve their environmental performance, e.g., through purchasing power and through products and services.
Given the nature of our business, it is obvious that we should practice what we preach-manage our own operational activities so they also make a difference for a truly clean, green and sustainable New Zealand. The most significant issues for us reflect global and national priorities for energy- and resource-effciency and waste minimisation. Through our own actions, we aim to lead by example to others. This is enshrined in both our Guiding Philosophy and our Sustainability Policy (cover flaps of this report). To help us put the Philosophy and Policy into action, we have an environmental management system and a comprehensive set of manuals, reporting registers and operating procedures.
| Source of our CO2 emissions 2004/05 |
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Emissions neutrality
This was a celebration year for Manaaki Whenua as it was the first time we have offset virtually all (97%) of the greenhouse gas emissions associated with our travel and energy use (see page 16). We have now purchased the EBEX21?CO2 units from a total of 362 hectares at four different locations. These sites are offsetting an estimated 1625 tonnes of our CO2 emissions as the regenerating scrub (mostly mānuka and other shrubs) reverts to indigenous forest.
This year Manaaki Whenua offset 97% of its emissions.
For Manaaki Whenua, the most material environmental issues directly associated with our activities are:
- electricity consumption, fossil fuel use and associated greenhouse gas emissions
- waste to landfill
- water use
- stormwater and toxic chemical disposal
- use of animals in research
- use of genetic modification techniques.
Another material issue for us is the positive influence of our research results and services on the environmental performance of others.
EBEX21?and E-Manage
Through our Emissions-Biodiversity Exchange (EBEX21? programme, we
helped businesses such as Toyota NZ and the Youth Hostel Association (YHA)
offset some of their emissions through native forest regeneration.
Landowners, who signed formal agreements to allow forest to regenerate on their land, received a financial return from carbon-farming.
In collaboration with Air New Zealand, we have developed a new tool,
E-Manage, for businesses to measure the energy used and emissions produced
from various sections within their organisations. This tool enables identification
of areas where the greatest energy and emissions savings can be made,
and quantities the EBEX21?CO2 units needed
to offset remaining emissions.
www.ebex21.co.nz