In order for us to have a carbonzero™ certification we must first demonstrate emission reduction year on year, commit to reducing emissions further, and offset our remaining emissions through carbon credits that support native forest regeneration and renewable energy.
To get our carbonzero™ certification, we worked closely with AgResearch and independent certifier, Toitū Envriocare. Toitū is one of the world’s leading environmental certification businesses and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Manaaki Whenua - Landcare Research, a government-owned Crown Research Institute.
AgResearch measured the carbon footprint for our specialty milks, which includes all greenhouse gas emissions across the products’ full lifecycle from farm to distribution to consumer. Toitū verified the measurement and issued the certification, which among other things, enabled us to develop, and commit to, an emissions reduction plan for the range. This ongoing commitment to emissions reduction includes supporting farmers to understand and reduce their footprint, improving efficiency and increasing renewable energy to achieve net zero emissions in manufacturing by 2050. Find out more here.
As part of the Toitū carbonzero™ certification programme, Anchor has procured carbon offsets from three high quality projects approved by Toitū including native forest regeneration in New Zealand, and Gold Standard renewable energy projects. The Gold Standard was established in 2003 by WWF and other international NGOs to ensure emission reduction projects meet the highest levels of environmental integrity and contribute to sustainable development.
Around 750ha of 1670ha of land has been converted to native forest on this sheep and beef farm in Kaikōura District. Situated next to an existing DOC reserve, many of the regenerated areas are on steep, erodible hill country.
The native regeneration helps to prevent soil erosion and provides an important corridor and support for native biodiversity including Orange Crested Kakariki, Kererū, East Coast Falcons, and Rough Geckos only found in the Kaikoura Ranges. The forest composition is native, including species of Beech, Kānuka, Mānuka and Kōwhai. Pest control also helps to protect biodiversity in the area. These forested and reforested areas are intended to remain in protection, in perpetuity.
The Project also contributes to sustainable development by the means of:
The South Pacific faces a number of social and environmental challenges as a result of climate change.
This Gold Standard Certified wind energy project is located in New Caledonia, with six wind farms and 116 wind turbines located in different sites across New Caledonia.
The electricity generated from this project is exported to the New Caledonian grid, helping to replace grid electricity that is produced by fossil fuel power plants, and therefore emissions.
The project also contributes to sustainable development by the means of:
Increase in renewable energy capacity and availability
Providing long term employment and training for the local Kanak people, as well as regular open days for school visits where students learn about climate and environmental issues.
This Gold Standard Certified solar energy project, generates power using renewable solar energy that feeds into the Indian electricity grid.
Located in Bhadla, Rajasthan, the project replaces approximately 770,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions annually, displacing 830,000 MWh per year of electricity otherwise generated from fossil fuel based power plants.
The project also contributes to sustainable development by the means of :
Supporting employment opportunities for economic development
Providing electricity for lighting and electricity in homes and businesses throughout Rajasthan
If you'd like to find out more about our carbonzero™certified specialty milks please check out our Frequently Asked Questions. If you have any questions that we haven't answered please get in touch with us here.
