Chief Executive's Upfront
First Sustainability Report Published

Concrete NZ has had a busy start to the year, with the release of the inaugural Sustainability Report for the Aotearoa New Zealand Cement and Concrete Sectors 2021/22.

Rob Gaimster, Chief Executive

Along with our 2050 Net-Zero Carbon Roadmap 2050, the Sustainability Report is another example of industry's commitment to fostering a sustainable future.

Based on a conviction that to effectively address our environmental and social footprints, we must begin by measuring them accurately, the report covers the months spanning 2021-22, and establishes a foundation from which we will monitor our progress every two years.

Cement, concrete, and concrete product manufacturers in New Zealand have for several decades undertaken measures to reduce the industry's carbon footprint, improve water efficiency, incorporate recycled materials into concrete manufacturing, and safeguard our workforce. While we can take pride in our accomplishments, it's imperative that we pursue further enhancements.

The report outlines the industry's recent efforts across energy consumption and emissions, water use, waste management, as well as health and safety. We have also explored mechanisms for improvement and evaluated how concrete lines-up with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals.

Our upcoming Low Carbon Concrete Specification & Design seminar series has been developed to help inform and communicate our industry's decarbonisation, and broader sustainability journeys.

These seminars will give Structural Engineers, Graduate Engineers, Designers, Specifiers, Building Certifiers, Building Officials, Contractors, Architects and Architectural Designers the tools and confidence to use new, innovative low carbon concrete products that are in high demand from customers.

Construction professionals will learn how to enhance buildings and infrastructure via a better understanding of the current building for climate change context, the constituent impacts of concrete, the intricacies of specifying low carbon concrete and the efficiencies that can be achieved in structural design.

Seminars will run across the main centres as below. Registrations are open, so I encourage you to grab your seat as soon as possible.

• Auckland (Waipuna Hotel & Conference Centre) - Tuesday 30 April
• Hamilton (Claudelands Event Centre) - Thursday 2 May
• Wellington (Naumi Hotel) - Tuesday 7 May
• Christchurch (Novotel Christchurch Airport) - Thursday 9 May

We wish you a well-earned rest over the Easter break, and hope to see you at the seminars – as well as our end of year fib Symposium and 1-day Concrete NZ Conference, set for 11-14 November at Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre.