Just one year after committing to the milestone – and almost two years in operation – Te Pae Christchurch has met Toitū Envirocare’s internationally-recognised standards of measuring, managing and reducing lifecycle emissions from its operations.
From the design of the building and the use of renewable energy, through to the recovery and reuse of food waste and the installation of a chemical-free e-water system, Te Pae Christchurch has applied a broad range of sustainable solutions across its operations.
The achievement in the Toitū net carbonzero programme comes on the heels of Te Pae Christchurch’s win in 2023 Skål International Sustainable Tourism Awards (Community and Government Projects category) late last year. The awards recognise contributions, remarkable achievements, innovation, and best practices in sustainability and responsible tourism.
Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre’s general manager, Ross Steele, said that the venue is proud of what it has achieved in a short time.
“The Toitū net carbonzero certification, in addition to the international recognition we have received, reflects the commitment and hard work of our entire team. Many of our sustainability initiatives are being led by Te Pae Christchurch team’s younger generation, which underscores our commitment to creating a positive long-term impact and a lasting sustainability legacy.”
“We’ve been serious about sustainability since we first began planning at Te Pae Christchurch,” Steele stated.
One key factor in minimising emissions is the venue’s local purchasing policy, which prioritises purchasing from local organisations (currently 85 per cent). Analysis of freight on purchased goods as part of our emissions calculations showed this to be less than one per cent of our total emissions, which is a significant result.
The next stage for Te Pae Christchurch in building a culture of environmental excellence is finding ways to help both partners and clients achieve their own sustainability goals.
“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,” Steele said.
