the carboNZero programme – what the…?
The carboNZero programme is run by Landcare Research, a Crown Research Institute, so rest assured they’re not some crazies out to make a buck off your guilty conscience! We’ve decided to participate as an event, which means that all the greenhouse gas emissions created by February O-Week gigs will be offset through verified schemes (more info below). A big focus of the carboNZero programme is actually reducing emissions, rather then just ‘business as usual’ and paying to offset. See below for some of our reduction measures, which will last beyond O-week.

Why should we participate?
As students with an eye to the future, we’re beginning to realise that our world could be quite seriously screwed unless we do something about it. Climate change is some scary stuff, and scientific consensus is that we humans emitting greenhouse gases are a major contributing cause. Emissions reduction and mitigation (offsetting) are tangible things we can do to reduce our climate changing impacts. And it doesn’t really cost that much, compared to what we get out of it – more native trees, renewable energy and some peace of mind.    

*If you don’t know about climate change, look at any newspaper or watch Al Gore’s ‘An Inconvenient Truth’.

How are emissions from UCSA February O-Week gigs calculated?
At Landcare Research, they’re pretty thorough scientific types, so we’re collating a whole lot of data for them to play with. Most obviously, there are the airfares for performers coming from all over the country and beyond. Then there’s the car mileage from the airport to accommodation and the venue… the carboNZero programme even has handy formulas for working out the average emissions created by a night in a  hotel! We will also be measuring energy use, from the office while organising gigs and by the mega soundsytems themselves. Luckily, our provider Meridian Energy is caboNZero certified, so they’re already offsetting for us. 

Once the carboNZero programme has this info, they can work out how many tonnes of greenhouse gases we have emitted and we pay to offset these, at the rate determined by the international market.

You can check out your own flat’s emissions on their www.carbonzero.co.nz website, by entering simple data into their household calculator.

How will UCSA minimize greenhouse gas emissions?
We aim to reduce transport emissions by giving a 'green tips for driving' guide to shuttle drivers. Writing an energy management plan for the ballroom / theatre, with guidelines such as turning off lights at the end of gigs will enable us to reduce energy use at the venues. We are having an office 'switch off' campaign to reduce office energy use, for those who are stuck at their desks organising O’Week!
 
How will UCSA offset emissions?
To offset those unavoidable emissions involved in getting our amazing line-up here to play, there are renewable energy or native forest regeneration schemes that we can contribute our carbon credits to. The carbon credits used by the carboNZero programme are verified Kyoto-consistent and from projects that come under the New Zealand Government’s “Projects to Reduce Emissions.”

What do the carbon credits go towards?

Renewable energy: Landfill gas and windpower projects reduce emissions by generating electricity that may otherwise be generated by using dirty fossil fuels such as coal or gas.Landfill gas projects capture methane produced in landfills and convert it to useful energy, such as electricity or heat, thus also preventing greenhouse gases (in the form of methane) from dissipating into the atmosphere. Wind uses, well - wind, with the amount of carbon credits calculated by assessing the emission reductions that have resulted compared with if the energy was fossil fuel generated.

Native forest regeneration: So, you think it’s just planting a bunch of trees? Think again. The intelligistas at EBEX21 have found something even better! They pay landowners to take stock off marginal farmland that will naturally regenerate into native bush. More bang for your buck, as they don’t have the labour-intensive step of planting trees. And seeing as almost 50% of NZ’s greenhouse gas emissions are from agriculture, it’s a move in the right direction. All sites are monitored and some of your money goes into an insurance fund in case trees are damaged in storms or by fire. See www.ebex21.co.nz for more details and piccies of sites.

How can I help reduce greenhouse gas emissions?
Thankfully there are many ways in which you can reduce your personal carbon footprint. You could walk, bike or catch a bus to uni and O’Week events to avoid emissions from you car (and save on petrol!). Recycle your empties to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill and decrease the use of new materials. Save energy in your flat by making your home heating more efficient (www.energywise.co.nz). For many more tips, expert advice and the chance to win prizes, enter the eco-my-flat competition! 

Acknowledgements:
This carbon neutral Feb O’Week Gigs idea was an initiative from students working on campus sustainability @ uni over the summer. They would like to thank all the staff at UCSA, especially Callam at Events, Steve the theatre manager and Andrew Patterson the General Manager for running with it! Thanks also to Sam Bridgman from the carboNZero programme for answering our many questions. To all the volunteers who give their time to run the stall, collect emissions data and support this initiative by buying Greening O’Week passes – cheers - if we raise enough $, we can continue to be carbon neutral for future events!