Free online Climate Action Workshop to help local businesses reduce carbon footprint

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Tairawhiti businesses looking to reduce their carbon footprint are invited to attend a free online Climate Action Workshop tomorrow.

Trust Tairāwhiti is partnering with the Sustainable Business Network (SBN) — a membership based social enterprise — to host the workshop.

“It will provide a practical understanding of the actions businesses can take to reduce emissions, including a tailored action plan with simple steps using the online Climate Action Toolbox,” said Trust Tairāwhiti general manager of economic development Richard Searle.

The toolbox is a free self-assessment tool focusing on key areas to help reduce carbon footprint, such as in office and site operation, use of equipment, moving people and goods, and designing products.

The participating businesses using the toolbox would get advice based on their business, explore actions with a step-by-step guide and learn where they could make the most impact.

Trust Tairāwhiti programme manager regional partnerships Harley Dibble said besides the use of the toolbox, businesses would get a practical understanding of the actions they could take to reduce emissions, help from climate experts and guidance from the SBN team on how to build confidence and create change in their business.

The workshop will be run by Phil Jones, who led the development of the Climate Action Toolbox, and network connector Ayla Irving-Lamb.

“We're also delighted to welcome the British High Commission Wellington for an update on COP26 and the Race to Zero initiative,” Mr Dibble said.

The workshop is free for participants, with funding from the British High Commission and subsidised for local businesses by Trust Tairāwhiti.

It is supported locally by the Gisborne Chamber of Commerce and business-led climate action group, Tairawhiti ER.

• The workshop tomorrow will run from 9am to 11.30am. For more information and to register, visit the .