Certified Renewable Energy
New Zealand has committed to reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. That’s a hefty goal and all of a sudden, 2050 doesn’t feel like it’s that far into the future. The good thing is though, that our emissions are expected to reduce between now and 2050, so hitting our target isn’t out of the realm of possibility. It’s just going to take some work – from all of us.
Currently, New Zealand is producing around 50,000 tonnes of green-house gas (GHG) emissions, of which 42% comes from energy use. Cutting this down is a huge responsibility and it’s one that the government can’t take on alone. It’s time for individuals and businesses to stand up and do their bit.
At Meridian, we’re taking our responsibility seriously, and we’re not shy about it. We believe that the best thing that we can do is help Aotearoa work towards a better future through decarbonisation – that means working towards a 100% renewable electricity grid by only developing renewable generation assets, and using that good energy to shift New Zealand away from our reliance on fossil fuels with electrification.
That’s why we’re taking our Certified Renewable Energy (Certified) product and using it to put our money where our mouth is. We want to help New Zealand achieve its net-zero goals at ground level, one project at a time. So, we’re taking all the net proceeds from Certified and reinvesting them back into genuine decarbonisation projects. We’ll work with Kiwi businesses who purchase Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) on projects like the installation of solar panels, process heat electrification and EV charger installation.
Taking it to communities
We aren’t stopping there either. We think that Certified offers Meridian, and the businesses we work with, an awesome opportunity to give back to our local communities. So, we’re excited to say that we’re diverting most of the funds to support communities in their decarbonisation projects through the Decarbonisation Fund. To get the ball rolling, we’ve started with a couple of projects that sit near and dear to our hearts.
KidsCan is going electric
As you know, Meridian is the proud Principal Partner of KidsCan – an amazing organisation that works hard helping the kids of Aotearoa who are affected by poverty. They support close to 1000 schools and early childhood centres with food, shoes, raincoats and other essential items that help kids learn and play comfortably. Staff spend a lot of time shuttling between their Auckland warehouse and schools they support around the regions, ensuring their needs are met.
Supporting Kiwi kids is a priority and KidsCan want to do this as sustainably as they can. And with the support of Meridian’s Decarbonisation Fund, they’re installing an EV charging station and converting two of their fleet vehicles to electric vehicles. That’s a fair few tonnes of carbon emissions that they’ll be removing each year!
"We're delighted that Meridian is giving us the incredible opportunity to go electric," KidsCan's CEO and founder Julie Chapman says. "Our programmes team spend a lot of time on the road supporting schools, and it's great to be able to do this more sustainably.”
Solar power for South Island Rowing
South Island Rowing is a voluntary organisation that operates and maintains the Rowing Centre on the shores of beautiful Lake Ruataniwha. It was developed as part of the Waitaki Hydro project in the 1970s and 80s and is now an internationally recognised rowing course. South Island Rowing are passionate about promoting and fostering the sport of rowing – holding training camps, regattas and functions at their venues throughout the year.
They’re on a journey to reduce their carbon emissions and are working hard to be more sustainable in the way they run their facilities. Thanks to the Meridian Decarbonisation Fund, they’re installing solar panels to cover part of their power usage – creating new renewable energy generation and lowering their carbon emissions, so that the next generation of Kiwi rowers will continue to enjoy the excellent rowing conditions that the Waitaki area offers.
Let’s do some good together
It’s thanks to those Kiwi businesses who were looking to improve their carbon reporting and got on board with Certified early, that means that Meridian is in a position to help co-fund these community decarbonisation initiatives.
Find out if certified is right for you.