As a generator and retailer of electricity, we focus on climate, environment and people initiatives to help create clean energy for a fairer and healthier world by:
Sustainability
It’s in our DNA
Our commitment to sustainability means doing the right thing today so our planet and all it sustains can survive and thrive in the future.
There are two ways to explore this section using the menus below. You can learn about what we are doing as a company and for our customers, communities and the planet; or below that you can navigate Meridian’s approach to sustainability using the pillars of environment, social and governance.
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Acting responsibly for our planet
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Creating even cleaner customer solutions
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Supporting local communities to thrive
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Striving to be a more sustainable company
Through an ESG Lens
Being a sustainable business means that we walk the talk when it comes to protecting our people and planet. Our business is focused on providing sustainability leadership through key initiatives in the following areas:
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Environment
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Social
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Governance
Sustainability news
Certified product helping businesses and communities
Over the past two years, Meridian Energy and its Certified business customers have joined forces to contribute $1.5 million in funding to support community and business projects in reducing carbon emissions.
Helping our customers out of energy hardship
by Neal Barclay, Chief Executive at Meridian Energy
New Zealand’s best commute? Meridian selects zero-emission hydrofoil ferry for Lake Manapōuri
One of New Zealand’s most iconic lakes is getting a high-tech upgrade.
More than meets the eye: Turning transformer trouble into sustainable success
What started as an unexpected failure on a key piece of machinery has ended as one of the most ambitious and successful recycling projects Meridian has ever undertaken.
Tina Frew: Navigating Climate-Related Disclosures
Climate-related reporting is nothing new, but changes here in Aotearoa New Zealand mean something that was once voluntary is now a legal requirement for many companies.
The role of businesses and consumers in tackling modern slavery
Few people realise many of the goods and services they buy may be linked to cases of modern slavery within their supply chain.
Helping the community help itself in Te Anau
Lyn Tee says the funding provided by Meridian's Power Up Community Fund is a powerful way of supporting Te Anau and its many community groups.
Electrifying progress in Southland
A new electric boiler at Mataura Valley Milk is now fully operational, completing the plant’s conversion from a coal-fired manufacturing process to an electric one.
Trial takes Meridian closer to virtual power plant
Meridian Energy is trialling new vehicle-to-grid and smart charging technology as it works towards the launch of a virtual power plant that will provide greater flexibility to New Zealand’s electricity system.
Want to know more about what we’re doing?
Tackling Zero is Meridian’s quarterly newsletter for people whose roles or studies are focused on sustainability, or for whom is an area of interest. Each issue will offer Meridian’s insights into a topical sustainability issue, as well as stories on how we, our customers and supply chain partners are tackling sustainability. It also includes links to recent Meridian disclosures such as new policies and reports.
Climate Action Plan
Our Climate Action Plan contains our initiatives to support decarbonisation for our customers, plant a permanent forest transitioning to 100% natives over time, and to reduce our emissions in the near-term and to reach net-zero by 2050.
Targeting a 1.5 deg C future
We’ve set an ambitious near-term science-based target to halve operational emissions by 2030 - our 'Half by 30' target - and a long-term emissions reduction target in line with reaching net-zero by 2050. These targets have been verified with the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi)*. We also set emissions targets for all our one-off construction projects as we know how we build matters.
Our offset commitment covers total scope 1, 2 and 3 business emissions. We have used Gold Standard Verified Emission Reductions to achieve this to date, and are focused on investing in permanent forests in Aotearoa to remove the same amount of emissions that we produce when we’ve achieved Half by 30.
We continue to mature our understanding of climate change impacts on our business, reporting on this most recently in accordance with the recommendations of the Taskforce on Climate-related Financial Disclosures, and in compliance with the Aotearoa New Zealand Climate Standards (NZ CS) published by the External Reporting Board (XRB).
You can learn more at:
Signing the CEO Climate Change Statement
Along with more than 100 other businesses, Meridian has signed the CEO Climate Change Statement which encourages all companies to see climate change as a critical business issue. Our signature is a commitment to measuring, reporting on and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in line with the Paris Agreement aspiration to keep global warming within 1.5 degrees.
[*] Overall Net-Zero Target: Meridian Energy commits to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across the value chain by FY2050.
Near-Term Targets: Meridian Energy commits to reduce absolute scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions 50% by FY2030 from a FY2021 base year. Meridian Energy also commits to reduce absolute scope 3 GHG emissions 50% within the same timeframe (excluding all one-time construction emissions from major projects and all activities that are capitalised as part of renewable energy projects).
Long-Term Targets: Meridian Energy commits to reduce absolute scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions 90% by FY2040 from FY2021 base year. Meridian Energy also commits to reduce absolute scope 3 GHG emissions 90% by FY2050 from FY2021 base year.