carboNZeroCert program becomes stand-alone corporate

The carboNZero program, previously a business unit of the government’s Landcare Research, is transforming into a stand-alone corporate business with a strong eye on international markets under the leadership of new Chief Executive Graham Carter and a fresh board of directors.

Growth in the global adoption of the internationally accredited greenhouse gas certification programs carboNZero certification and CEMARS (Certified Emissions Measurement And Reduction Scheme) has spurred the creation of the new corporate entity.

Well-known companies such as Westpac, Toyota New Zealand, Flight Centre, Ricoh New Zealand and Villa Maria Estate have achieved certification. They have been joined by international clients including the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body, the UK’s largest listed water company United Utilities, the Emirates Wolgan Valley Resort and Spa in Australia, and Sleepmaker Australia.

Carter, who joins the carboNZero program from Canada-based Axia Software Corporation, a provider of tools to help organisations maximise the efficiency of their capital investment, will apply his knowledge of sectors including government, forestry and utilities to the burgeoning area of assisting businesses measure, manage and reduce their impact on the environment.

“I am very excited to come into the carboNZero program at a time of unprecedented change and growth,” said Carter. “Carbon markets are increasingly a key feature in national policies and the global business community is increasing its efforts and search for credible solutions.

“With reports showing that businesses that give greater attention to energy efficiency report billions of dollars in savings, and millions of tonnes of avoided greenhouse gas emissions, we can only expect this market to continue booming.”

While the carboNZero program liaises directly with its New Zealand clients, its strategy in the high-growth markets of Australia and the UK is to form partnerships under licence. The organisation has, in Australia, licensed its CEMARS program to Bureau Veritas, a leading independent certification body with 80,000 clients in more than 100 countries, and Lloyd’s Register Quality Assurance (LRQA), which has a growing network of climate change units and offices servicing more than 120 countries.

World-class greenhouse gas (GHG) certification provides assurance to customers, investors and business partners that the company has been assessed to the most rigorous standards. For certified companies, it provides an important tool in building their national and international reputation, and the opportunity to reduce carbon liabilities, reduce operating costs and demonstrate proactive leadership.

To assist in the commercialisation and growth, a board of directors with excellent credentials and global contacts has been established, with independent director Alastair Lawrence as its chair. Other members are Rob Fenwick, Jo Brosnahan (Chair, Landcare Research Parent Board) and Richard Gordon (Acting CEO, Landcare Research). Prior to Lawrence, Fenwick and Brosnahan were members of the carboNZeroCert program’s Business Advisory Group.