Sustainability defines who we are

Meridian’s commitment to sustainability leadership is concentrated on areas where we know we can make a meaningful difference. Our sustainability framework focuses on two of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals – SDG7 Affordable and Clean Energy, and SDG13 Climate Action.

Meridian is proud to announce that we have joined the United Nations Global Compact initiative – a voluntary leadership platform for the development, implementation and disclosure of responsible business practices. Meridian joins thousands of other companies globally, committed to taking responsible business action to create a better world.

As a participant of the UN Global Compact, Meridian will align strategies and operations with ten universally accepted principles in the areas of human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption, and take action in support of UN goals and issues embodied in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

SDG7: Affordable and Clean Energy

Ditching prompt payment discounts

Meridian Energy was the first New Zealand electricity retailer to remove prompt payment discounts (PPDs). Why? Because we believe that prompt payment discounts are unfair, but mostly to those who struggle to pay their power bills or are late for a payment date. We replaced PPDs with new lower tariffs that are simpler and easier to understand.

The recent Electricity Price Review commended our actions. We’re proud to be industry leaders in this area by making a decision that’s fairer for all.
Supporting vulnerable customers

We’re committed to supporting our most vulnerable customers. Whatever their circumstances, we want to keep the power on. So, we’re flexible with options for payment arrangements, we offer LevelPay to make budgeting easier, and we’re always looking to make sure they’re the power plan that’s best for them.

SDG13: Climate Action

We’re proud to only generate electricity from 100% renewable sources. As New Zealand’s largest renewable generator, Meridian is the most significant contributor to the Government’s aspiration of 100% renewable electricity. 

But there’s always more we can do. Here’s what we're doing to do our bit for the environment.

Meridian Climate Action Plan Climate Disclosures - TCFD reports Greenhouse gas emissions

Low Carbon Energy Roadmap

Meridian, Mercury, Contact, Genesis, Manawa, Todd Corporation, Vector, Orion, Unison, Powerco, Wellington Electricity and Lodestone Energy have commissioned an independent study to provide a constructive whole of electricity sector view on how best to decarbonise Aotearoa’s economy.

The challenge of decarbonising New Zealand’s energy system is complex and requires public and private sectors to work together to ensure the best outcome for this country.

There’s already a lot of activity and investment underway to increase renewable electricity and electrify other sectors, but there’s no whole of sector view that clearly articulates the best route to a low carbon energy system.

The independent study will be led by the Boston Consultancy Group and will be released on completion later this year. The draft proposal from BCG / terms of reference document along with a letter from the Chairs of participating companies to Ministers are below.

Draft proposal from BCG | Letter from Chairs

Targeting zero carbon

Since 2006, we’ve been reporting our greenhouse gas emissions inventory annually. This shows the amount of greenhouse gas emissions that can be directly related to the Meridian Group.

From 30 June 2019, we’re net Zero Carbon across the operations of the Meridian Group, through purchasing and retiring Gold Standard Verified Emissions Reductions. We’re also planting forests to grow our own offsets.

And we’ve set an ambitious target of halving our Group operational emissions by 2030.

We’ve also taken the time to develop a deep understanding of how climate change may impact our business now and into the future, using the recommendations of the Taskforce for Climate-related Financial Disclosures.
Signing the CEO Climate Change Statement

Along with more than 100 other businesses, Meridian has signed the CEO Climate Change Statement which encourages all companies to see climate change as a critical business issue. 

Our signature is a commitment to measuring, reporting on and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in line with the Paris Agreement aspiration to keep global warming within 1.5 degrees.
Accelerating the uptake of electric vehicles

At Meridian we’re big believers in electric vehicles. Our fleet will be 90% electric by 2020, and we’re a Drive Electric board member. We’re keen to help our customers, and the rest of New Zealand, with driving electric. It’s one of the biggest opportunities the country has to reduce emissions.

Our competitive Electric Car Plan offers our customers low night rates for charging vehicles. And, with support from EECA’s Low Emissions Vehicles Contestable Fund, we’re enabling more people to experience the benefits of electric vehicles. We’re installing charging stations at some of New Zealand’s most popular tourist destinations, and we’re always considering opportunities to expand this further.

Solar power

We’re proud to be leaders in large-scale commercial solar. In June 2019 we turned on the sun at Christchurch’s Northlands Mall, in partnership with Kiwi Properties and Reid Technology. It’s part of New Zealand’s largest commercial programme, which will see solar arrays on shopping centre rooves in Palmerston North, Hamilton and Auckland. The programme will make Kiwi Property New Zealand’s biggest solar power user.

Northlands’ array of 672 panels will generate 200,000 kWh of electricity per year. That’s enough to power the equivalent of around 30 households or 100 electric vehicles for a year.

We also support customers who generate their own solar power or want to get set up for solar. When they generate more than they use, we purchase the electricity back from them at a competitive rate.

Keen to harness the power of the sun and generate your own renewable energy?

Solar for business Solar for home

Process heat electrification

Part of being a leader in sustainability means providing advice and expertise to others in a bid to reduce impacts and help combat climate change. The energy sector has an important part to play in converting other industrial users of fossil fuel technologies to renewables.

Find out more