Napier Port Launches Ambitious Sustainability Strategy and Action Plan
August 30th, 2021
Developed over a two-year period, in consultation with Napier Port’s many diverse stakeholders, an ambitious and comprehensive sustainability strategy and action plan launches today.
Napier Port Sustainability Strategy and Action Plan (click to download)
Chief Executive Todd Dawson says implementing the sustainability strategy is a priority for the business.
“Advancing sustainability at Napier Port is embedded in our business strategy as a foundation, reflecting the importance of leaving a positive legacy for future generations, while delivering for our customers, community and wider regional economy.
“With more than 100 identified actions it will definitely challenge us, but we didn’t want to take the easy path. We wanted a strategy that will actually enable us to make a difference and one that is authentic to Napier Port and our community,” he said.
The strategy extends out to a 10-year time frame, setting out areas of focus and actions and identifying where further investigations, data collection and measurements are required.
Alignment to Government and United Nations goals
In 2015, the United Nations signed up to 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), setting out an urgent call for action by all countries in its 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The New Zealand government has incorporated these principles into the country’s legal and regulatory framework and Napier Port has incorporated 14 of the 17 SDGs in its Sustainability Strategy, with an initial emphasis on achievable, local actions.
Napier Port chairman Alasdair MacLeod says, “Focusing on what we can achieve locally and helping others to do the same, means we can make a difference in addressing urgent global challenges like climate change, environmental degradation, prosperity, and wellbeing for people and communities.”
The strategy concentrates firstly on local issues which the business can directly influence and improve, including:
promoting healthy reefs and clean oceans locally
aiming for zero net emissions by 2050
running community projects and good neighbour programmes
protecting marine and bird life
continuing to build a workplace that embraces diversity and cultural values
adopting clean energy solutions, and
minimising waste or duplication of resources
Sustainability initiatives already underway
Development of the strategy highlighted that a number of existing programmes and policies across Napier Port were already underway and contributing towards greater sustainability. As the strategy evolved, further initiatives were also implemented and as such, good progress has already been made in key areas, including:
creating artificial reefs to increase biodiversity
undertaking water quality surveys and monitoring, and
the protection of at-risk bird species that make their home at Napier Port
As at August 2021, 48 sustainability actions are underway, with a further 42 in planning. The actions encompass social, economic and environmental initiatives, enabling Napier Port to create a truly sustainable business.
MacLeod says, “As a company that plays an important part in regional growth and prosperity, Napier Port embraces the opportunity to take a leading role in achieving a better and more sustainable future for all.”
The company is eager to partner with other businesses and organisations, sharing what it has learned with others to implement sustainable initiatives region-wide.
At the United Nations summit meeting in September 2015, world leaders adopted 17 global goals (and 169 targets) as a set of universal goals that aim to address the urgent environmental, political and economic challenges facing our world. These are known as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
