Sixteen New Zealand companies, including Meridian Energy and Christchurch International Airport, have joined the United Nations’ Climate Neutral Network – more than half the network’s overall business membership, Environment Minister Trevor Mallard said today.

“A strong kiwi business profile on climate change is certainly coming through and that is something to be proud of,” he said.

New Zealand is also one of four countries to join the network, along with Costa Rica, Iceland and Norway.

New Zealand joined as a foundation member at the network’s launch at the Bali climate change conference last year.

The network is a forum for members who aspire to carbon neutral status.

However, Mr Mallard emphasised in his speech, at a World Environment Day function today, that New Zealand’s carbon neutral goal was “aspirational.”

The government never spelled out what that goal meant and has gone relatively quiet on carbon neutral rhetoric since the policy was announced last year.

Rising fuel prices have seen the government soften its stance on emissions trading for fuel in this election year.

Green Party co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons recently questioned in Parliament whether the government was still committed to the carbon neutral goal. Deputy Prime Minister Michael Cullen replied that it was.

Full list of New Zealand Members:

Sempre Avanti Consulting (SAC). 

Wright Communications. 

Urgent Couriers.

Warren and Mahoney, architecture company.

Landcare Research NZ, the Crown Research Institute behind the CarboNZero certification scheme.

Footprint Adventures, tourism company.

Quakebake bakery. 

Christchurch International Airport.

Kaimira Venture, winery.

Meridian Energy, renewable energy company.

The New Zealand Wine Company, producer of Grove Mill wine.

Trade Me, online auction site.

Revolution ID a company that provides web based carbon footprint management software.

Signify, a web development company.

Antipodes Water.

Adventure South.

Another 10 companies are in the process of submitting for registration.

See also:

climateneutral.unep.org