Net Carbon Zero Event

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Striving for a Net Carbon Zero EEA2024 with Meridian Energy

This year, and with thanks to our sponsor Meridian Energy, we have set ourselves an ambitious goal of being assessed by Toitū as a Net Carbon Zero Event.

But we will need your help to get there.

For the past two years we have progressively reduced the carbon footprint of this conference so it made sense that in 2024, we achieve the ultimate outcome!

A big step along the way is our choice of venue. Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre holds a 5 Star NZGBC Green Star Design rating and Toitū enviromark gold certification. Food waste is processed on-site to reduce waste by 85 per cent and the rest is turned into organic fertiliser. You can read all about their sustainability initiatives on their website.

Once conference is over, our performance will be assessed by the Toitū Envirocare carbon certification programme. This will include assessing information gathered from all our delegates, exhibitors and visitors about their travel distances and modes of travel, how much printed material was gathered, venue energy usage, waste to landfill volumes and volumes and type of catering consumed.

Meridian Energy’s Chris Ewers explains their reason for taking this approach. “Reducing New Zealand’s reliance on carbon lies at the heart of Meridian’s business, but opportunities to do so also occur at many levels of all our daily lives.

“Making this a focus of this year’s event is a way to raise the visibility of this issue, show what’s possible and for us as a sponsor to help the event and its delegates also walk the walk,” he says.

Consider your own carbon emissions when planning your travel

We urge all our delegates to consider how they can reduce their emissions at EEA2024 particularly when planning their travel to, from and at the event.

  • If you are flying, consider the option to purchase carbon-offsets. Look at your options to carpool with colleagues and fellow delegates, to and from the airport.
  • For those of you driving to Christchurch, seek options to ride share with others.
  • If you take a wider view of attendance, you may find a mini-bus is an even better option!
  • Renting a car? Go electric!
  • Once in Christchurch, walk, scooter or catch a bus to the event! Pack your raincoat or an umbrella so there can be no excuses – we have a coat check!