In November 2019, the New Zealand Government passed the Climate Change Response (Zero Carbon) Amendment Act. The headline goal is to reduce New Zealand’s net emissions of all greenhouse gases (except biogenic methane) to zero by 2050.
Climate Leaders Coalition
As a part of Clarus, Firstlight Network is a member of the Climate Leaders Coalition.
The Climate Leaders Coalition aims to help New Zealand transition to a low emissions economy and create a positive future for New Zealanders, businesses and the economy.
By joining the CLC, signatories commit to measuring their greenhouse gas emissions, publicly reporting on these and setting emissions reduction targets.
Together we’re working alongside other leading New Zealand companies to play our part in tackling climate change. We also hope to encourage other local businesses to step up and join us.
Clarus is committed to reducing the company’s emissions by at least 30 percent by 2030.
Preparing for the future
The world is changing, and here at Firstlight Network we’re getting ready to change with it. We have to be ready for future increases in the demand for electricity, and how and when people and businesses across Tairāwhiti and Wairoa will be using power. In other words, “the electrification of everything”.
It will involve growth in the installation of distributed generation like solar PV and batteries, and an increasing uptake of electric vehicles across the network. We’re also planning for large scale industrial load growth to ensure it can support regional economic development.
These challenges are being faced by networks across the country. We are a member of Electricity Networks Aotearoa and, as an industry, we’re working on solutions. This is all the more important due to the effects of climate change on homes, businesses, land, waterways and infrastructure.
Solar study
We’ve installed solar panels on the roof of our Carnarvon Street HQ, and are monitoring output and testing efficiencies and performance.
