Companies come together to fight climate change

Sixty companies that contribute nearly half of New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions are committed to helping the country to achieve its zero emission goal by 2050.

The CEOs of the companies formed the Climate Leaders Coalition after discussions with the Sustainable Business Council. The group includes leaders from Z, Westpac, Ngai Tahu Holdings, Vector, Air New Zealand, Spark and NZ Post.

By signing the CEO Climate Change Statement, each of the company heads commits to measuring and reporting its greenhouse gas emissions. and work with suppliers to reduce emissions in order to help maintain global warming at two degrees, as specified in the Paris Agreement.

Companies will set individual emission reduction targets and report on annual progress. Most of the companies involved in the coalition are already reporting on their emissions reduction targets.

Mike Bennetts, General Manager of Z Energy, said it would be up to consumers, the media and the general public to hold each company involved in the coalition accountable, for each emission reduction report that it issues

READ MORE: * Total greenhouse gas emissions in NZ * Decomposition of greenhouse gas emissions by sector * Agricultural Leaders on a Zero Carbon Policy * The NZ's Bold Plan of Zero Greenhouse Gas Emissions Mean Even More Trees [19659004] know what the companies that they buy, it will depend on individual customers and their relationship with these individual companies, "said Bennetts

. Z Energy is committed to reducing its emissions by 30 percent by 2020 for its internal operations.

Bennetts said Z Energy sold 9.3 million tonnes of carbon to its customers but also sought to reduce New Zealanders' reliance on fossil fuels

"That sounds strange because we're encouraging people to Buy Less of our products, but that's what these public commitments allow us to do. "

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Sixty Kiwi companies are responsible for about half of the country's emissions. .

Fonterra's director of operations, Robert Spurway, said the company had also promised a 30% reduction, but by 2030 compared to 2015.

"For the moment, companies are not required to report their emissions – the government is considering this over time, as part of New Zealand's commitment to climate change, but it is accelerating that, "Spurway said. 19659010]. This is a step in the right direction. "

Professor James Renwick, of the School of Geography, Environment and Earth Sciences of the University of Victoria, said that it was good news for climate change in New "This coalition, which includes almost half of the country's greenhouse gas emissions and includes some very large companies like Fonterra and Air New Zealand, has the potential to make a significant difference. e. We will have to wait and see what actions the CLC members actually take, but the stated goal of reducing emissions to meet the limits of the Paris Agreement is excellent, "he said. The CLC group is responsible for a significant fraction of the country's emissions. carbon dioxide, transportation, energy production and the industrial use of fossil fuels. These are the sectors where emissions growth has been fastest over the past two decades. It is therefore exciting to see companies tackle programs in this area.

Renwick said that to counter climate change, a new industrial revolution was needed. the company to sources of energy that would not affect the climate. If we do not act, we will jeopardize our competitiveness and, in the end, seriously undermine the livelihoods of millions of people around the world. This is an opportunity for New Zealand to show the world how to make the transition to a zero carbon future. "

Professor Tim Naish, a researcher in climatology at the Antarctic Research Center stated that it was important that aviation, dairy and oil

" But as for the governments that are are engaged in Paris, good intentions must be translated into actions, and time is running out. "Accepting to measure and report their emissions is a strong gesture.Science shows us that collectively, if we leave it much longer, this will require negative emissions and a technological solution. "

PHIL JOHNSON / STUFF CIRCUIT

The Managing Director of Z Energy Mike Bennetts says it's up to the general public to keep track of dozens of business progress.

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