News

Synlait Milk Limited (Synlait) today published its Sustainability Report which demonstrates a significant improvement in the milk nutrition company’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Synlait’s on-farm emissions intensity, per kg of milk solids, reduced 5% over the past year, or 10% compared to our FY18 base year when targets were first established. Total off-farm (scope 1 and 2) emissions have remained stable since last year, however, emissions intensity per kg of product, has reduced by 24% compared to FY18.

In a major new initiative aimed at fighting climate change, we’re proud to announce that by 2030 we will halve the carbon footprint of infrastructure designs and advice provided to our clients. This complements an internal science-based decarbonisation target, which will see us cut our own greenhouse gas emissions by 50 percent by 2030.
THURSDAY, 25 NOVEMBER 2021 – NEW ZEALAND

Bank of New Zealand (BNZ) has today reported operational emissions reductions of 50% since 2019, increased sustainable finance lending and initiatives and tools to support business customers to reduce emissions.

We know we must do better by the planet, but when will we start? As Aotearoa’s awareness of climate change and its impact increases, Stuff’s latest NowNext survey asked Kiwis how that knowledge is influencing decisions in their everyday lives. The findings shine a light on how important sustainability really is to Kiwis.

Fonterra has been working with others and partnering on innovative projects to achieve its environmental goals.

Reducing methane emissions is one of the biggest challenges facing the dairy sector and the co-op has teamed up with AgResearch to find a solution.

The result of this collaboration is Kowbucha, which has moved from Fonterra’s Research and Development Centre in Palmerston North to the farm.

Fonterra researchers have moved out of the lab and onto the farm for the next stage of trials on the company’s in-house Kowbucha project, aimed at offering a solution to livestock methane emissions.

The project has centred on developing a culture-based solution to emissions, sourced from the co-operative’s extensive library of culture strains that encompass almost 80 years of assorted cultured product strains used in cheeses and yoghurts.

Fonterra head of strategy and innovation Mark Piper says after sorting through thousands of culture strains some had been identified as having potential for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from cows.

Tairāwhiti’s first solar power plant is one step closer, with an application for resource consent lodged with Gisborne District Council this week after 12 months of development work.

Gisborne Airport is the proposed location for the 5MW plant, which is being developed by Eastland Group in partnership with Infratec NZ Limited.

Craigmore Sustainables, one of the largest diversified farm management companies in Aotearoa, has secured nearly $80 million in funding from ASB in an innovative sustainability-focused deal.

The sustainable transition loan provides a pathway to develop and embed Craigmore’s sustainability strategy and targets. The company’s portfolio includes a mix of dairy, grazing, forestry and horticultural properties covering almost 20,000 hectares throughout New Zealand.Under the loan terms, Craigmore has committed to providing a robust sustainability strategy with targets and an action plan, within 12 months of drawdown.

The Westpac NZ Government Innovation Fund has announced a $1 million funding pool to drive innovation around financing and incentivising the decarbonisation of Aotearoa.

The Innovation Fund is powered by Westpac NZ and jointly administered with the government. It runs two themed intakes per year, and applicants are invited to apply for funding to help them work towards solving key issues and challenges.

Transpower’s specialist metering and market services business Energy Market Services (EMS) today launched a new service and dashboard to track the real time carbon emissions intensity of the electricity system.

The United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) wrapped up in Glasgow on Friday.

Countries gathered to negotiate the final details of a global bid to keep the planet warming between 1.5 and 2 degrees Celsius.

Meanwhile, companies in New Zealand have taken the step to reduce their own emissions, as the country works towards cutting emissions by 41 per cent by 2030.

With a set Science Based Target, which are a goals developed by a business to provide it with a clear route to reduce greenhouse gas emissions of under 1.5C, and a signatory of the Climate Leaders Coalition, to actively reduce its carbon usage by 2030, here are four of New Zealand’s most carbon-concious businesses: