Great South’s sustainability plan 

New Zealand has committed to a goal of net zero carbon emissions by 2050. As an organisation, we understand that adopting a sustainable approach is fundamental for the future success of our region and achieving our vision ‘even better lives through sustainable regional development'. 

Demonstrating regional leadership, Great South plans to become a carbon neutral organisation by 2025. 

   

Our goals 

Great South’s sustainability goals are to: 

• Integrate environmental sustainability consideration in all we do 

• Be a carbon neutral organisation by 2025 

• Reduce waste and water consumption 
  
  

Purpose of the plan 

Te Ara Toitū has been designed so that sustainability is taken into account with organisation-wide decision making and to: 

• provide an agreed framework for prioritising resource 

• create a positive impact

• show leadership by example 

• communicate results and 

• ensure Great South is accountable, credible, and being real. 

 

Our definition of sustainability

Great south's commitment to sustainability is 'to meet the needs of the present, without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs' (Our Common Future – the Brundtland Report, 1987).

Measuring our emissions 

Our emission measurements include Great South and our subsidiary company SpaceOps NZ. To calculate our emissions, we use the Ministry for the Environment calculator and emission factors. We seek independent third-party verification and then publicly report our overall Great South greenhouse gas emissions. 

What we measure 

We measure direct greenhouse gas emissions from sources that are owned or controlled by Great South, such as emissions caused by fuel consumption in vehicles owned by the organisation.  

We also measure indirect greenhouse gas emissions, such as those caused by the generation of electricity, business travel, staff commuting and waste, among others. 

Great South Emissions Profile Report 2021-22

Supporting the region to meet net zero emissions

Great South is supporting the region in various ways: 

• We monitor the region's emissions and share our progress with regional leaders and the public
• We provide data and insights that enable major decisions to be made of the region
• We support the business sector to reduce carbon emissions by offering the Decarbonisation Workshop Series for business
• We offer the Murihiku Southland Sustainable Tourism Programme and Sustainable Tourism Webinar Series
• We are supporting the region to provide clean renewable energy with programmes such as the Government Waihōpai Invercargill Decarbonisation Contestable Fund