Carbon Cut for More
The success of carbon emission cuts at Auckland’s biggest Museum is being scrutinised by other organisations around the country.
Auckland War Memorial Museum has cut its carbon emission by 31 per cent since 2010, and expects to save $340,000 this year.
Phil Johnstone, spokesperson at the museum, said the museum had more than a dozen organisations and other museums visiting to learn in the last two years, such as MOTAT (Museum of Transport and Technology) and the Kauri Museum in Northland.
Since 2011, the museum also hosted events and workshops to share its experience with other organisations, including many Council organisations.
Mr Johnstone said mayor Len Brown wanted other organisations to come and learn what they had been doing, and to apply to their own businesses so it would contribute to an Auckland-wide improvement.
The museum works with a company called carboNZero Holdings, which runs a programme called CEMARS (Certified Emissions Measurement and Reduction Scheme). It is the first museum in the world to receive CEMARS accreditation.
CarboNZero was established by Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd in 2001, and owned by the New Zealand government.
“CarboNZero gives us evidence, and independent verification of how we are doing.” Said Mr Johnstone.
Mr Johnstone said the museum achieved (the emission cut) by using smarter monitoring equipment and more efficient air-conditioning. Little thing like increase recycling was also very important.
“We have many galleries that have different requirements for humidity and temperature.”
Mr Johnstone said the savings would go to other museum programmes such as Urban Life, and allow them to take on a more ambitious plan to expand the online programmes to reach more Aucklanders
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