The four pillars or pou of our Sustainability Strategy demonstrate the pathway Clarus is on to decarbonisation while doing right by our environment, people and communities with effective governance.
Sustainability
We take a sustainable approach to our operations, our people, our stakeholders and the environment.
Our sustainability approach
Doing Right by Our Environment
Manaaki whenua
We aim to continuously improve our tiaki taiao (care for the environment) through environmental programmes, investing in new technologies and research, and focusing on how Clarus could contribute to a more sustainable future.
Doing Right by Our People
Manaaki tāngata
At Clarus, we are building a safety-first team of awesome individuals with a huge variety of strengths, skills and amazing attitudes. We aim for our good energy (at work) to keep our people safe, encourage their growth and development.
Doing Right by Our Communities
Manaaki hapori whānui
Energy is what we do but it’s people we do it for. We are building and growing connections with the communities we work in across Aotearoa New Zealand.
Good Governance
Mana whakahaere
Effective governance and risk management are central to the growth and success of Clarus. We are working to ensure good governance underpins all our work, while operating in an ethical and transparent manner.
Paul Goodeve, Clarus Chief Executive
Transition to a lower-emissions energy system in future
“We believe gas has an important role in supporting the country’s energy future. Our energy system needs it as a firm flexible backup for when sun and wind are weaker or when hydro inflows are low.
Our commitment to research and development for the future of energy in Aotearoa New Zealand has seen us actively invest in alternative energy and renewable gas technologies that could support a reliable energy system in future, including solar, biomethane and hydrogen.”
Emissions reduction
Our total gross emissions across ISO 14064 categories 1-6 decreased 13% from FY24 to FY25. Within Categories 1 to 4, where operational influence is strongest, emissions reduced by 5.28%. This demonstrates a positive trajectory toward improved emissions performance. There is more detail within our latest Sustainability Report.
New BISEP tool reduces gas loss
The job of Firstgas is to keep the gas flowing safely and reliably to over 300,000 homes and businesses across the North Island. To up to 300,000 homes and businesses across the North Island. We have invested in a new tool called a STATS BISEP (Branch Installed Self Energised Plug) - the first of its kind to be used in New Zealand - that will reduce emissions during routine pipeline maintenance by cutting down on gas loss.
Climate change risk
Climate risks are integrated into our primary risk registers that are regularly updated, shaping our present and future strategies on asset management and business operations. For Clarus, increased weather events are likely to impact our operations and most likely cause an increase in operational and maintenance costs.
First ever Hydrogen Blending Pilot completed in NZ
New Zealand’s first ever hydrogen blending pilot was carried out in Te Horo on the Kāpiti Coast from June to early October 2025. Led by Firstgas (part of Clarus), the pilot involved blending green hydrogen with natural gas into the existing natural gas pipeline.
New Zealand's largest solar farm is coming
Clarus has entered a partnership with global renewable energy infrastructure developer, Harmony Energy to develop and own Tauhei Solar Farm. Once developed, it will capture Te Aroha sunshine using ~330,000 solar panels over ~260 hectares of land - equivalent to the size of around 371 rugby fields.
Biogas to pipeline upgrade facility
Clarus business, First Renewables Biogas upgrade facility transforms kerbside food waste into biomethane, a renewable substitute for natural gas. Located at Ecogas’ Organics Processing Facility in Reporoa, it’s the first facility of its kind in New Zealand and marks a significant milestone in New Zealand’s journey towards a sustainable, low-carbon energy future.
Taranaki sun powering our solar panels
Harnessing Taranaki’s abundant sunshine, our 60 kW solar system at Bell Block supplies 18 percent of the annual electricity demand of the Bell Block office. This helps reduce reliance on grid electricity and lower emissions.
Most of the solar energy generated is used on-site, with any surplus exported back to the grid, contributing to the wider supply of renewable electricity in the community.
Looking ahead, a second-stage 60 kW solar installation is planned for FY27, which will further increase our use of renewable energy and help reduce emissions.
Climate Leaders Coalition member
Clarus is a member of the Climate Leaders Coalition (CLC) of New Zealand and we are one of many organisations around the country who have committed to taking voluntary action on climate change.
At Clarus we access our emissions in accordance with ISO 14064-1:2018 Green House Gases to meet our commitments under the CLC Statement of Ambition.
Each year since 2019 we have measured our Category 1-6 (Scope 1-3) greenhouse gas emissions. That measurement allows us to better understand our business’ Category 1-6 emissions and to consider which of those areas have the biggest opportunities for reduction.
We’re continuously striving to improve our systems to better understand our emissions profile and to ensure our emissions reduction planning and strategic investments make a long-term difference.