Diverse Winners Of Green Ribbon Awards
June 10th, 2009
Ports of Auckland and Ashburton District Council were among the winners of 2009 Green Ribbon Awards announced by Environment Minister Nick Smith. Ports of Auckland won the Business category awarded each year to a company which demonstrates an ongoing commitment to reducing environmental impacts. Ashburton DC’s award cites its outstanding effort to create affordable household running costs while minimising the impacts households have on the environment.
Ports of Auckland managing director Jens Madsen, accepting the award at a presentation ceremony in Parliament, said the company had a special responsibility as a working port in a major international city, and in 2008 it became one of the first in the port and shipping sector in Australasia to measure and audit its greenhouse gas emissions. It also introduced a real-time monitoring system to identify ongoing opportunities for improvement and waste reduction in electricity and fuel consumption.
A major lighting efficiency programme replaced 1350 floodlights with 650 environmentally-friendly, fully shielded lights. This cut electricity use for lighting at the port by an estimated 15%. The company also introduced 35 hybrid diesel-electric straddle carriers, which generate 90% fewer emissions, use 20% less fuel and make less noise than diesel-only models. A rail connection between the inland port at Wiri, South Auckland, and the Auckland sea port to reduce inner city truck trips (and therefore carbon emissions) has also been part of the programme.
In its winning category – making a difference to household sustainability – Ashburton DC created an eco-subdivision where the houses are built to promote energy efficiency, using concrete floors, double glazing on all exterior fenestration, increased insulation, solar powered or geothermal hot water and on-site storm water catchment facility for garden irrigation.
The Horizons Regional Council won an award for its improved system of water management. Its WaterMatters website captures, analyses and releases to the public information on how much water is being managed in catchments in near-real time. The system is built to measure the amount of water being abstracted. This makes it easier for consent holders to comply with their consents.
The Travis Wetland Trust, the last large freshwater wetland in Christchurch, secured the urban sustainability award for its project to preserve and develop a wetland as a nature park in an urban area. Planting has been carried out under a restoration plan, with willows and weeds eradicated. The wetland now has scientific benefit for the city’s university and research institutions. Funding from the Community Trust has provided an on-site education centre with lab and classroom facilities and a visitor information centre.
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