Here at Clarus, we are committed to emissions reduction. While we have some projects underway that will help reduce New Zealand’s energy emissions in the future, such as the Tauhei solar farm project, flowing biomethane, a form of renewable gas, to the Firstgas pipeline and piloting hydrogen blending. We’re also taking a range of smaller actions to help us cut our emissions in the workplace. These seven achievements from our 2024 financial year have laid a strong foundation — and the momentum is only building.
1. Upgrading to more efficient equipment
We’re replacing outdated equipment with newer machinery, improving efficiency across our network. More efficient equipment means lower emissions, by reducing how much gas we use. For example, in 2024 we upgraded our Kaitoke compressors – they now have catalytic converters on the exhausts which makes them more efficient and cuts emissions.
2. Installing solar panels on our office building
In June 2024, we installed a 60kW solar panel system on the roof of our New Plymouth office building. These panels generate more than 50% of the power we use at peak times, and they’ll pay for themselves within five to seven years.
3. Repurposing laptops to reduce e-waste
We’re cutting e-waste by recycling our laptops. We recycled 99 laptops, and 75% of those went to high school students who couldn’t otherwise afford a device of their own. The remainder went to IT resellers so they could have a second life. Having more second-hand laptops available reduces demand for new products and the emissions generated from their manufacture.
Our e-waste recycling is one step toward our goal of reducing our total landfill waste by 25% from 2023 to 2025.
4. Recycling 600kg of paper
By digitising our archives, we’ve cut our paper use, but the initial digitisation left us with 600kg of paper we no longer needed. Working with SaveBoard, we turned that paper into 470 ceiling tiles and four sheets of wallboard. Some of these were installed in our Bell Block offices in New Plymouth, reducing the emissions profile of our building materials.
5. Helping staff commute in a greener way
Source: iStock image used for illustrative purposes only.
We have a partnership with Workride to offer staff the opportunity to save 32% to 63% of the cost of a new bike, e-bike or scooter for their daily commute to work. Forty-eight Clarus employees have taken part in the WorkRide scheme so far – 57% were not previously riding a bike or scooter to work, so the scheme helped them embrace a more active and low-emissions commuting option.
6. Turning PPE into recycled products
Through our new sustainable garment recycling programme, we donated 360 litres of used PPE clothing and equipment items. Some items were donated by Upparel to be worn again. Once too well-used to be worn, the textiles are washed, shredded or transformed into non-woven felt material. The material is then turned into homewares, furniture and construction items. These 100% recycled items reduce demand for new products, cutting manufacturing emissions.
Learn more about our sustainability efforts
We’re working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 30% by 2030 across Category 1-4 (scopes 1, 2 and part of 3). Find out about all our sustainability efforts and targets in our 2024 Sustainability Report, or visit the Future of Energy page to learn more about our role in New Zealand’s energy transition.