Our Climate Action Plan runs from 2021 to 2030 and is one way we're building sustainability into university life.
Our Climate Action Plan is based on the values of:
- kotahitanga (solidarity, collective action)
- kaitiakitanga (environmental stewardship).
Massey recognises that we need to draw on many different kinds of knowledge, including:
- natural sciences
- social sciences
- humanities
- creative arts
- mātauranga Māori.
We know we cannot do this crucial work alone. We need to work with students, mana whenua, iwi and industry, and with cities and regions in Aotearoa New Zealand and beyond.
Net Zero Carbon goal by 2030
As part of the Massey University Climate Action Plan, we have committed to Net Zero Carbon (NZC) by 2030 according to the Greenhouse Gas Protocols. This means we will have net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2030. Our inventory verification process through Toitū follows ISO 14064-1:2018, which aligns with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol corporate standards requirements.
The Massey University Senior Leadership Team approved this commitment in 2019.
Measuring our GHG emissions footprint
This is an important part of our Climate Action Plan and net zero carbon goal. Massey produces greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from:
- energy we use
- travel we take
- waste we produce
- the farms and aviation facilities that we use for teaching and research.
Like most Australasian universities, our international long-haul air travel creates many of our emissions.
We are tracking our GHG emissions and producing verified updates each year. You can see our annual certified emissions reports at Toitū Envirocare
Our GHG emissions for the university (excluding farms) in 2021, our latest audited results, were: 5,849 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent for Scope 1, 3,748 for Scope 2 and 1,549 for Scope 3. This comes to a total of 11,146 tonnes.
These compare to our baseline emissions in 2018 of: 6,790 tonnes for Scope 1, 3,152 for Scope 2 and 12,549 for Scope 3. This comes to a total of 22,491 tonnes.
We're using data from our GHG emissions footprint to:
- understand what are our biggest emission sources
- change how we do things on campus, in the office and on the farm.
Balancing our GHG emissions
Massey can help reach our goal to be net zero carbon by offsetting the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions we cannot cut by 2030. We're looking at how best to compensate for GHG emissions by exploring options like:
- sequestering emissions – capturing and storing emissions over the long term, for example through planting and managing trees
- buying third-party carbon credits – buying carbon credits from organisations that are awarded credits for defined projects that store, avoid or reduce GHG emissions in the atmosphere.
External engagement
At Massey, we often work hand in hand with organisations and communities outside the university. This real-world activity gives our research, teaching and learning a practical basis that helps our students contribute to society while studying and working.
As part of our Climate Action Plan (CAP), we're committed to working closely with external partners. We aim to share our knowledge and research practical solutions to the challenges of climate change with our partners. We've shared our CAP with the local council, NGOs and government organisations. Many initiatives are underway with the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA). These include:
- Employing EECA-supported Energy and Carbon Management graduates to review our energy use, implement energy-saving initiatives and reduce fossil fuel use.
- Co-funding initiatives to reduce carbon emissions. For example, the replacement of gas boilers with heat pump technology.
We're also focusing on two areas that play off our strengths.
Low Carbon Cities
Building on our research track record in transport, urban planning, sustainable building, waste and geo-informatics, we will help develop the 'just transition' Massey will share our expertise with iwi and local authorities, and learn from them.
We already have a strong relationship with Palmerston North City Council (PNCC), where our Manawatū campus is. We have:
- a funding agreement for our Living Lab partnership, which began in 2011
- an agreement to work on PNCC's planned Low Carbon Roadmap.
Climate Smart Farming
With our international reputation in agriculture, we plan to show how agriculture can transition to a low-carbon future. Massey academics will work with industry and the public.
Related content
Strategies, plans & annual reports
Read the Massey University Strategy, including our teaching, learning and research plans, and access our annual reports and investment plans.
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