Wednesday, February 21, 2024
Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre has achieved the prestigious Toitū net carbonzero certification, showcasing its dedication to setting a benchmark in sustainable practices within the industry. This recognition comes just a year after setting this goal and nearly two years into its operations, having successfully adhered to the rigorous standards set by Toitū Envirocare for measuring, managing, and minimizing operational lifecycle emissions. Te Pae Christchurch has implemented a wide array of sustainability measures, ranging from its architectural design and utilization of renewable energy sources to initiatives for food waste recovery and the adoption of a chemical-free e-water system.
This accomplishment follows closely on the heels of Te Pae Christchurch’s victory at the 2023 Skål International Sustainable Tourism Awards in the Community and Government Projects category, further cementing its reputation for excellence in sustainable and responsible tourism practices. These awards celebrate outstanding contributions and innovations in sustainability within the tourism sector.
Ross Steele, the General Manager of Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre, expressed immense pride in achieving net carbonzero status, underscoring it as evidence of the organization’s leadership in sustainability. “This certification, coupled with our international acclaim, is a testament to the dedication and collective effort of our team,” Steele remarked. He highlighted the significant role of the younger members of their team in driving sustainability initiatives, demonstrating a strong commitment to creating a positive, enduring impact and a legacy of sustainability.
A critical aspect of their strategy to reduce emissions includes a commitment to local sourcing, with 85% of purchases made from local suppliers. This approach has shown that freight-related emissions constitute less than 1% of their total emissions, marking a noteworthy achievement.
Steele notes that sustainability has been a central pillar of Te Pae’s strategy, even amidst record levels of activity and interest, emphasizing the organization’s unwavering focus on environmental stewardship.
“We’ve been serious about sustainability since we first began planning at Te Pae Christchurch,” Mr Steele says. “Being able to achieve these milestones through such a busy period demonstrates the level of focus we are placing on every stage of our sustainability journey. The science-led approach, guidance and support provided by Toitū Envirocare, Aotearoa New Zealand’s strongest environmental programme, has been an important part of that.”
The next step for Te Pae Christchurch in fostering a culture of environmental excellence involves identifying methods to assist both partners and clients in reaching their sustainability objectives.
“We want to bring our clients and suppliers along with us on this journey, working with them to minimise the environmental impact of every event we hold, and through every stage of each activity.”
“As the last couple of years have demonstrated, people still want to meet face-to-face, share knowledge and experience first-hand what this amazing region has to offer,” says Mr Steele. “It is up to us, as leaders in the event industry, to constantly monitor and measure, to innovate and to demonstrate best practice, so they can have that experience in the most sustainable way possible.”
“In that way we’ll enable our city and our region to enjoy the significant benefits of a vibrant conference and events industry, while ensuring we leave our environment and our community in a better place for the future.”
Tuesday, April 30, 2024
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Tuesday, April 30, 2024
