Reducing Manufacturing Emissions: Report and Climate Action Toolbox Launch

The Sustainable Business Network recently helped launch a timely report to support Manufacturers on their sustainability journey as share details of an update to the 'Climate Action toolbox', a free online tool designed to help businesses measure and reduce their carbon footprint.

Understanding the Current State of Manufacturing Emissions

The manufacturing industry stands as a critical component of our economy, yet it is also a significant contributor to carbon emissions and environmental degradation. Understanding the current state of manufacturing emissions and identifying opportunities is key to helping the sector achieve national emission reduction targets. The goal is to ensure New Zealand manufacturers are able to meet the expectations of the international market (i.e. NZ-EU FTA) and remain competitive.   

The Report: Key Findings

The report, commissioned by the Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment, identifies and maps emissions and waste patterns in the advanced manufacturing sector. It also highlights ways manufacturers can reduce emissions and keep materials in use for as long as possible. 

Key findings point to a need for application of the circular economy model across the industry and it's sub-sectors. The report itself is broken down into 7 sub-sectors to providing insights and opportunities for each to help form a roadmap for each sector.

Report Snapshot

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Key Emissions Metrics

• Consumption and production based emissions made up 54% of New Zealand gross greenhouse emissions in 2019 (37,800 ktCO2e)
• 7,288 kt of waste generated, 92% ended up in landfill, with only 4% recycled
  
  

Download report

Exploring the Climate Action Toolbox: Features and Applications

The Climate Action Toolbox serves as a pivotal resource for manufacturers seeking to reduce their carbon footprint. It comprises a suite of tools and resources designed to guide businesses through the process of identifying, implementing, and measuring the effectiveness of emission-reduction strategies.

Including carbon footprint calculators, case studies, and best practices, The updated Toolbox content provides practical tailored guidance to help small and medium manufacturing businesses reduce their emissions. 

View the toolbox or learn more here:

https://www.tools.business.govt.nz/climate/

Case Studies:

The Toolbox incudes real-world examples of companies that have successfully integrated the Climate Action Toolbox into their operations provide inspiration and evidence of the toolbox's potential impact. These case studies highlight various sectors within manufacturing, showcasing the diverse approaches to emission reduction and the benefits that follow.

Future Direction

Looking ahead, the future of manufacturing is inextricably linked to environmental sustainability. New and emerging trends and technologies could help propel the industry towards a lower-carbon future and lead us to an environment where sustainable manufacturing is not only feasible but the norm. Continuous innovation and commitment to environmental stewardship within the sector alongside policy change and collaboration will help the us work to meet the increasing consumer demand.