Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre has drafted an agreement with New Zealand environmental health organisation Toitū Envirocare to becoming a certified net carbonzero organisation.
The initiative marks the Centre’s next step in its dedicated sustainability efforts as it strives to reduce its environmental footprint.
Speaking at Asia-Pacific Incentives & Meetings Event (AIME) 2023, Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre general manager Ross Steele said the commitment to carbonzero was a clear indication of the Centre’s desire to lead by example and create meaningful change.
“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 instil values that will ensure we are not only environmentally sensitive but leading the way in this area for years to come,” Steele said.
A long-standing Te Pae Christchurch partner, Toitū Envirocare and its carbon programmes are the only ones in New Zealand that are internationally recognised.
“Toitū has been an invaluable part of our journey to date and the fact their programmes take a science-based approach also gives us the confidence to aim high and set big goals in this area. The guidance and support they have provided us since 2020 in their capacity as New Zealand’s strongest environmental programme has set us up well to take this next step.”
With the Centre yet to complete its first year of operations, Steele said it was essential for the Centre to first get an accurate benchmark of operations to not just know where it’s at, but where it needs to head in the future.
“From here, we will turn our attention to achieving net carbonzero 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.”
As the region’s economic development agency, ChristchurchNZ plays a big part in helping to foster and promote sustainability initiatives which ChristchurchNZ head of business events, Megan Crum said reflects the city’s guiding principle ‘Small Footprint – Big Impression’.
“Among the many actions underway for the business events space, this year we 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,” Crum said.
In line with Christchurch’s mission, Christchurch Airport is part of a new consortium dedicated to bringing zero-emission aviation to New Zealand and is developing a 400-hectare renewable energy precinct called Kōwhai Park. The consortium was officially launched last week at Christchurch Airport and comprises of six international aviation businesses including Airbus and Air New Zealand.
