Te Pae Christchurch makes net carbon zero commitment

Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre has taken the next step in its sustainability journey, releasing a draft agreement with Toitū Envirocare that sets out goals of becoming a net carbon zero operation by the end of the next financial year.

Underscoring the seriousness with which the Centre is approaching its environmental obligations, the agreement is to join and work towards to being a certified Toitū net carbon zero organisation.

Explaining that the move is a clear indication of the Centre’s desire to lead by example, Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre General Manager, Ross Steele advised “for us, sustainability and sustainable operations go beyond just measuring waste and offsetting carbon emissions.

“It’s about legacy - what we leave behind for future generations, and how we instill values that will ensure we are not only environmentally sensitive but leading the way in this area for years to come.”

Steele says with the Centre yet to complete its first year of operations, the focus is currently on the benchmarking phase. “It’s essential to get an accurate benchmark of operations to not just know where we are at, but where we need to head in the future, adding “from here, we will turn our attention to achieving net carbon zero operations by the end of the next financial year.

“The goal will then be to bring clients and suppliers along on the journey and look at ways to work with them to minimise the impact of the events we host  something we are well supported in with Ōtautahi Christchurch’s own commitment to reaching net zero emissions.”

ChristchurchNZ’s Head of Business Events, Megan Crum, says the agreement reflects the city’s commitment to reduce its emissions.

Crum commented “among the many actions underway for the business events space this year will be delivering a comprehensive Business Events Sustainability Framework for Christchurch, doing our bit to help achieve the target to halve the city’s emissions by 2030 and reach net zero emissions by 2045.”

Not only a long-standing Te Pae Christchurch partner, the Toitū carbon programmes are also the only ones in New Zealand certified under the ISO 14064 standard (organisation) and ISO 14067 standard (product) by the JAS-ANZ (Joint Accreditation System for Australia and New Zealand), meaning they are internationally recognised.

Images: The auditorium at Te Pae Christchurch (top) and General Manager Ross Steele (below).