Sustainability - Go Zero Carbon

Let's create a sustainable environment together

Go Zero Carbon is the work we do as an organisation to implement the environmental sustainability/pūmoutanga framework to achieve our ‘zero-carbon by 2050 and zero waste by 2040’ goals. It encompasses two climate change responses:

how we affect climate change by reducing our carbon footprint (mitigation); and
how climate change affects us and how we respond (adaptation)

These goals (and the work required to achieve them) are mandated by national and international law, as well as the Ministry of Health (MoH). They are supported by Te Whatu Ora Taranaki executive leadership team.

There’s plenty of work to be done to achieve our 2040 and 2050 goals, however we have plans and strategies in place and we look forward to working with staff and the community to achieve this.

How will we get to zero carbon by 2050?

Everything we do creates carbon emissions which impact on our environment and the health of the Taranaki community. These carbon emissions are broken down in to six key focus areas:

	FOOD AND WATER We'll reduce carbon emissions produced through food and water by: Promoting low carbon-emission food, e.g. fruit and vegetables Buying local produce Healthy eating Find out more about food, water, energy and procurement at Te Whatu Ora Taranaki here (PDF 220 KB)
	PROCUREMENT We'll reduce carbon emissions produced through procurement processes by: Purchasing goods with low environmental impact throughout their life cycle Supporting suppliers with zero carbon, zero landfill waste, and sustainability policies and strategies that show innovation in sustainability and are equity focused Supporting local suppliers. Find out more about food, water, energy and procurement at Te Whatu Ora Taranaki here (PDF 220 KB)
	WASTE We'll reduce carbon emissions produced through waste by: Reducing landfill waste by including the 6 Rs with our decisions (reduce, reuse, recycle, rethink, refuse, and repair). Identifying our waste, providing appropriate recycling bins, and mapping waste stations. Implementing a waste stream process and have a designated waste collector. Increasing staff awareness by providing training programmes. Composting our organic waste (food scraps, biodegradable hand towels, paper cups). Find out more about waste at Te Whatu Ora Taranaki here (PDF 511 KB)
	EXISTING AND NEW BUILDS We'll reduce carbon emissions produced in existing and new builds by: Implementing sustainable procurement of construction materials. Incorporating sustainability (Green Star performance rating, NABERSNZ, etc.) with building design and redevelopment projects (e.g. Project Maunga). Adding sustainability measures to existing buildings, e.g. energy efficiency, use of sustainable building materials, promoting indoor environmental quality, preserving existing ecosystem. See how we're incorporating sustainability as part of Project Maunga Stage Two Find out more about green buildings at Te Whatu Ora Taranaki here (PDF 201 KB) Find out more about green spaces at Te Whatu Ora Taranaki here (PDF 892 KB)
	TRANSPORT We'll reduce carbon emissions produced through transport by: Increasing the use of efficient and low-carbon emission transportation (hybrid and electric vehicles or hydrogen-fuelled cars). Promoting the use of active (walking and cycling), public and shared (carpooling, shuttle bus) transport. Implementing sustainable and equitable travel initiatives for staff, patients and visitors Promoting flexible working arrangements. Find out more about transportation at Te Whatu Ora Taranaki here (PDF 224 KB)
	ENERGY We'll reduce carbon emissions produced through energy use by: Transitioning to renewable sources of electricity, e.g. solar panels. Increase energy efficiency, reduce overall energy use and enable use of onsite renewable energy sources. Increasing the use of smart-metering and other innovative and efficient uses of electricity. Promoting behavioural changes, e.g. switching off lights, unplugging electronics, etc. Find out more about food, water, energy and procurement at Te Whatu Ora Taranaki here (PDF 220 KB)

Emissions Inventory Report

Te Whatu Ora Taranaki has gathered the amount of greenhouse gas (GHG) emission sources from the operations of the Base and Hāwera hospitals for Financial Year 2019-2020 and subsequently developed an Emissions Inventory Report.

The inventory has been prepared in accordance with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol: A Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard (2004) and ISO 14064-1:2006 Specification with Guidance at the Organization Level for Quantification and Reporting of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Removals. The inventory also forms part of Taranaki DHB's Sustainability Action Plan and Work Programme.

This is to ensure that identified emission sources are prioritised, managed and reduced in a timely manner, and meets the Government’s net zero carbon emissions by 2025 target.

The inventory can be accessed here (PDF 570 KB)

For more information or if you have any questions, send us an email on GoZeroCarbon@tdhb.org.nz

Last updated: Thursday, December 15, 2022