Meridian Energy's electricity – generated from renewable resources – has been certified as carbon neutral, Chief Executive Keith Turner announced today.
Speaking at the National Power Conference, Dr Turner says that after a rigorous process Meridian Energy, the producer of around 30% of New Zealand's electricity, has received CarboNZero certification from Landcare Research that the generation and retailing of its electricity is carbon neutral.
"We're leading the way in being the first energy company in New Zealand to have the electricity we sell certified carbon neutral," says Dr Turner.
"This builds upon our renewable electricity strategy, announced in 2004."
Dr Turner said the CarboNZero certification process, which is administered by Landcare Research, was independent confirmation that Meridian Energy had accurately measured its carbon emissions for its electricity product, taken active steps to reduce emissions and offset any remaining emissions by purchasing carbon credits. The certification period is until 30 June 2008.
"We have followed international best practice to certify our electricity including adhering to the Greenhouse Gas Protocol developed by the World Council for Sustainable Development and ISO 14064-1, an international standard for the quantification and reporting of greenhouse gas emissions and removals.
"But first and foremost we're reducing our emissions and offsetting those we can't avoid. And that's making a difference.
"Climate change is one of the biggest challenges facing us today. Energy is traditionally a large source of carbon emissions for many organisations, and electricity a big sub-set of the energy being used.
"We are aware that many of our customers are seeking to reduce their carbon footprint, and supplying them with certified carbon neutral electricity means they can count the emissions from their electricity consumption as zero.
"Meridian Energy has made a commitment to becoming a carbon neutral company, and having our electricity certified as carbon neutral is a positive step along the journey we are taking to being a global reference company in renewable energy," says Dr Turner.
To read a copy of Dr Turner's National Power Conference speech click here (396 KB pdf).
To read more information on Meridian Energy's carbon neutrality click here.
For further information contact:
Alan Seay
Ph (021) 494 475 or
Helen Morgan-Banda
Ph (021) 589 824