Chief Executive Clive Manley said Council was committed to playing its part in addressing the climate crisis and building long-term resilience for the district.

“Climate change is already having a real impact on our communities - particularly in key sectors like agriculture and tourism,” said Mr Manley.

“By undertaking the Toitū Carbon Reduce certification process, we are creating a robust, science-aligned plan to better understand and reduce Council’s own environmental footprint.

It’s about taking responsibility, leading by example, and making sure we’re doing our part to support a more sustainable future for Ruapehu.”

The Toitū Carbon Reduce certification follows international best practice under the ISO 14064-1 standard.

It requires Council to measure our significant operational greenhouse gas emissions - including electricity and fuel use, waste, business travel, and other emissions - and develop a plan to reduce these emissions over time. The results are independently verified to ensure accuracy and accountability.

The work is being led by Council’s Policy, Strategy and Sustainability team funded by a new targeted Environmental Resilience Rate consulted on as part of the current 2024/34 Long Term Plan for introduction in the 2025/26 financial year.

Mr Manley said the new targeted rate will cost ratepayers just $21.22 per year (per rating unit) – a very modest investment for the long-term environmental, economic, and strategic benefits it will deliver well beyond regulatory compliance.

“This work will support better decision-making across our organisation - from procurement to infrastructure planning - and provide verified data that helps guide future policy.

It also enables Council to access lower borrowing costs for environmental projects help through the Local Government Funding Agency, helping reduce financial pressure on ratepayers.”

He added that the programme would deliver shared value for the wider community.

“Having a certified carbon reduction plan in place shows our commitment to sustainability in a way that’s transparent, measurable, and credible. It helps us build trust with our communities, iwi, suppliers, and central government, and positions Ruapehu to be part of wider regional and national climate solutions.”

The baseline emissions year for the certification is the 2024 financial year (1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024), with certification targeted for October 2025. Council plans to share progress as part of its 2024/25 Annual Report.

The Toitū Carbon Reduce certification programme will enable Council to measure, verify, and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and help in building long-term resilience for the district.