Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, the region’s economic and cultural agency, has released its Climate Change & Sustainability Summary Report for the 2020/21 financial year.
The report highlights some of the actions and activities that Auckland Unlimited has undertaken in line with its priorities around climate change and sustainability.
Nick Hill,Tātaki Auckland Unlimited’s Chief Executive, says this report “demonstrates our ongoing commitment to sustainability and climate resilience as we go forward as a new entity, regardless of the changing dynamics brought by… the evolving challenges from COVID-19”.
Nick Hill says Auckland Unlimited’s approach to climate change and sustainability is about “doing the right thing internally and externally”.
“For example, as part of our corporate sustainability work, we measure and plan to reduce our emissions, and manage our environmental impacts. We also would like to ensure that our venues and public spaces continue to be climate resilient, inclusive, and accessible for all Aucklanders.
Significant steps during 2020/21 included the overall organisation obtaining internationally recognised certification Toitū carbonreduce for its efforts to measure carbon emissions, and Auckland Zoo achieving Toitū carbonzero certification for the fifth consecutive year.
“As the regional economic and cultural agency of Auckland Council, we contribute to and align with Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri: Auckland’s Climate Plan by collaborating with council, other CCOs and stakeholders to support programmes that help Auckland’s transition to a resilient and regenerative economy,” says Nick Hill.
Across the organisation’s various operational units, there is a lot of work already underway on community engagement and education, waste minimisation initiatives, influencing supply chains and reducing consumption of water and energy.
Nick Hill says that as Auckland Unlimited settles into its new organisational structure, “we will take steps to develop an overarching climate change and sustainability strategy”.
“As with other parts of our programme, we will work closely with Auckland’s priority industries as they transition towards a more sustainable future.”
“This will include detailed targets and initiatives that will set our pathway towards not only being a low carbon, resilient organisation, but to continue to play a key role in supporting Auckland economy’s transition.”
You can read Tātaki Auckland Unlimited’s Climate Change & Sustainability Report here.
Notes to editors
- Tātaki Auckland Unlimited plays a key role in the implementation of the economy section of Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri: Auckland's Climate Plan.
- Tātaki Auckland Unlimited's corporate sustainability includes its contribution to Auckland Council group's emissions reduction target of 50% by 2030, and ensuring Auckland Unlimited is prepared for the impacts of climate change.
- Examples of Tātaki Auckland Unlimited's work in this area include:
- Measuring and verifying operational carbon emissions in accordance with ISO 14064-1:2006. Auckland Unlimited was awarded Toitū carbonreduce certification and Auckland Zoo met the requirements of Toitū carbonzero certification for the fifth year in a row.
- Tātaki Auckland Unlimited also invests in events as the host city. In 2021, Splore Festival (regarded as a world leader in terms of its sustainability practices) was held in Tapapakanga Regional Park and had its Event Operations certified as carbonzero by Toitū.
- Developing an evidence base on climate change risk and Auckland's economy through desk based analysis and a series of stakeholder engagement workshops.
- Enabling a space (Auckland Zoo) for environmental education and awareness, and wildlife conservation activities that will bring people together to build a future for wildlife.