RMM Landscape Architects Achieves Toitū Carbonreduce Certification
Sep 23, 2024
RMM Landscape Architects is proud to announce that we have achieved the Toitū carbonreduce certification, marking a significant milestone in our company’s commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship. This certification, granted by Toitū Envirocare, recognises our efforts to accurately measure, manage, and reduce our greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in alignment with internationally recognised standards.
The Path to Certification
The journey to achieving this certification was rigorous and involved a comprehensive audit of our operations at a national scale. Over the course of the inventory period from 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024, Mimi Walle and Sinead Purchase meticulously measured RMM's carbon emissions, adhering to the ISO 14064-1:2018 standards for GHG quantification and reporting.
Our emissions inventory covered both direct and indirect sources of carbon emissions, including transportation, energy use, and products utilised in our daily operations. During this period, we recorded total gross emissions of 48.77 tonnes of CO2 equivalent (tCO2e), with the vast majority stemming from transportation emissions, followed distantly by energy consumption and product usage. This audit, conducted by an independent verifier on behalf of Toitū, ensured that our emissions data was accurate and provided a clear framework for ongoing and future reductions.
Looking Ahead: RMM’s Dedication to Further Reductions
Achieving Toitū carbonreduce certification is just the beginning. As part of our long-term sustainability strategy outlined in our Policy 2030 document, RMM has set ambitious goals to further reduce our carbon emissions over the coming years. These goals are aligned with our operational philosophy, which is centred on the Māori concept of Kaitiakitanga – the guardianship and protection of the natural environment – and we will focus on continuous improvement across the following key areas:
1. Reducing Transport Emissions: We are transitioning towards the use of electric vehicles and promoting remote working and virtual meetings to minimise travel-related emissions. Additionally, local employees will be prioritised for site visits to reduce aviation emissions.
2. Energy Efficiency: RMM is committed to improving energy efficiency across all offices by conducting regular energy audits, reducing electricity consumption during off-peak hours, and exploring investments in renewable energy.
3. Sustainable Material Use: Our designs will focus on using locally sourced, low-emission materials. We are also integrating regenerative design principles into our projects, ensuring that landscapes contribute positively to the environment through carbon sequestration and biodiversity enhancement.
4. Staff Engagement and Education: Engaging our team in sustainability initiatives is key. Through workshops and training, we will continue to promote best practices in carbon reduction, ensuring that our collective actions support our broader goals.
A Commitment to a Greener Future
RMM Landscape Architects remains dedicated to creating innovative, environmentally responsible landscapes that contribute positively to the communities we serve. Achieving Toitū carbonreduce certification is a reflection of our values and our determination to make meaningful progress towards a low-carbon, sustainable future.
By 2030, we aim to significantly reduce our carbon footprint, aligning with New Zealand's national climate goals and international sustainability frameworks. As we continue on this journey, we invite our clients, partners, and community to join us in shaping a greener future for generations to come.
⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯
To learn more about Toitū Envirocare, visit their website here.
The Path to Certification
The journey to achieving this certification was rigorous and involved a comprehensive audit of our operations at a national scale. Over the course of the inventory period from 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024, Mimi Walle and Sinead Purchase meticulously measured RMM's carbon emissions, adhering to the ISO 14064-1:2018 standards for GHG quantification and reporting.
Our emissions inventory covered both direct and indirect sources of carbon emissions, including transportation, energy use, and products utilised in our daily operations. During this period, we recorded total gross emissions of 48.77 tonnes of CO2 equivalent (tCO2e), with the vast majority stemming from transportation emissions, followed distantly by energy consumption and product usage. This audit, conducted by an independent verifier on behalf of Toitū, ensured that our emissions data was accurate and provided a clear framework for ongoing and future reductions.
Looking Ahead: RMM’s Dedication to Further Reductions
Achieving Toitū carbonreduce certification is just the beginning. As part of our long-term sustainability strategy outlined in our Policy 2030 document, RMM has set ambitious goals to further reduce our carbon emissions over the coming years. These goals are aligned with our operational philosophy, which is centred on the Māori concept of Kaitiakitanga – the guardianship and protection of the natural environment – and we will focus on continuous improvement across the following key areas:
1. Reducing Transport Emissions: We are transitioning towards the use of electric vehicles and promoting remote working and virtual meetings to minimise travel-related emissions. Additionally, local employees will be prioritised for site visits to reduce aviation emissions.
2. Energy Efficiency: RMM is committed to improving energy efficiency across all offices by conducting regular energy audits, reducing electricity consumption during off-peak hours, and exploring investments in renewable energy.
3. Sustainable Material Use: Our designs will focus on using locally sourced, low-emission materials. We are also integrating regenerative design principles into our projects, ensuring that landscapes contribute positively to the environment through carbon sequestration and biodiversity enhancement.
4. Staff Engagement and Education: Engaging our team in sustainability initiatives is key. Through workshops and training, we will continue to promote best practices in carbon reduction, ensuring that our collective actions support our broader goals.
A Commitment to a Greener Future
RMM Landscape Architects remains dedicated to creating innovative, environmentally responsible landscapes that contribute positively to the communities we serve. Achieving Toitū carbonreduce certification is a reflection of our values and our determination to make meaningful progress towards a low-carbon, sustainable future.
By 2030, we aim to significantly reduce our carbon footprint, aligning with New Zealand's national climate goals and international sustainability frameworks. As we continue on this journey, we invite our clients, partners, and community to join us in shaping a greener future for generations to come.
⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯
To learn more about Toitū Envirocare, visit their website here.
