ASB has validated its plan to reduce its carbon emissions after receiving the CarboNZero certification from Toitu Envirocare.
The remaining emissions made by a company are offset with high-quality carbon credits sourced from sustainable projects in New Zealand and internationally, making its operations carbon neutral.
In 2019, ASB’s annual carbon footprint was 6,319 tonnes of greenhouse gases, with the majority of emissions coming from road travel, flights and energy used in buildings. Head of corporate responsibility at ASB, Miranda James, says the team is proud to receive the certification following a year of hard work to improve the company’s emissions management.
“It’s great to achieve CarboNZero, which is down to solid teamwork across the organisation. Our drive to reduce our climate impact won’t be slowing down. Our goal is to minimise emissions as much as we practically can, in line with the Paris Agreement,” says James.
ASB chief executive Vittoria Shortt adds the commitment towards climate change stemmed from ASB’s board of directors, the executive team and all levels of the organisation.
“Climate change is a pressing global priority, and ASB is committed to playing a positive role to address it,” says Shortt.
“Our customers also tell us that climate change and the environment are issues they care deeply about. We’re thrilled to get recognition of our hard work via carboNZero, and we will be doing more to support the transition to a climate-resilient, low carbon economy.”
To achieve the major step towards its climate goals, ASB was provided with Toitu Envirocare’s technical guidance and assurance that the plans were robust, backed with a scientific basis. Toitu chief executive Becky Lloyd says the certification is a significant move.
“We congratulate ASB on achieving Toitū carboNZero certification. In doing so, ASB has committed to ongoing climate change action,” says Lloyd.
“Such meaningful leadership on climate change is essential if we are going to achieve our net-zero 2050 goals. Toitū carboNZero certification means ASB’s customers and stakeholders can rest assured that the organisation’s emissions are third-party verified and offset with high quality carbon credits.”
ASB’s annual carbon footprint has been offset with gold standard certified carbon credits, sourced from projects that store, avoid or reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Credits are sourced from projects like restoring New Zealand native forest at Puhi Peaks Station NZ and reputable projects in developing countries. Aligned with the UN sustainable development goals, these include providing low-carbon cookstoves in Ghana and supporting renewable energy projects such as wind and hydro in China and India.
