CARBON MANAGEMENT

Toward Net Zero Carbon by 2050

The carbon footprint project was piloted in 2020 when we decided to estimate carbon emission reductions from our Waste Minimisation Project. Through many discussions, we came up with a fun and interactive session that allowed us to present the results to the teachers and students. Using one-cubic-meter models and the comparison of the volumes between the emission reductions generated by schools and the concrete used to build the SkyCity Auckland – Sky Tower, we were able to show the schools their impacts on the world around them.

In late November 2020, we made a keynote speech at our Waste Expert Expo on waste and climate change. Our carbon expert, Nigel, encouraged everyone to “treat your carbon footprint like your bank account – exactly how you would treat your money, very carefully” (reported by Farida Master at Times online – Local schools reduce waste by 40 per cent or more).

Thanks to funding from Howick Local Board, we have been able to fund 10 local schools participating in this amazing pilot project.

IMAGE: (from left to right) the one-cubic-metre model; Bo Burns and John Spiller at our Award ceremony in 2020; John and local school teachers at our Carbon Workshop in 2021

PROJECT PHILOSOPHY

Your Own Project

You design your own project, which can be tailored to suit your school's circumstances and choices. You start at whichever level suits you best.

Non-competitive

Doing the project is a challenge and not a competition against others. Your project is tailor-made to reflect your own starting point, abilities and interests.

Achievable

The project is achievable by your school with the right guidance and inspiration from our Carbon Expert, regardless of the ability or experience of the school.

Capability Development

Participating in our project fosters your carbon capability. You gain valuable experiences and skills and grow in confidence in your carbon compliance.

Explore New Areas

You are encouraged to explore new areas of teaching and learning through interdisciplinary thinking while measuring your school's carbon footprint.

Persistence

The project requires persistence and cannot be completed with a short burst of enthusiasm. You are encouraged to maintain your interest beyond the project.

Our project expert, Nigel Zhang aka Mr Tuatara, designed the MAGIC Pathway toward net zero carbon for organisations in 2012 with his experience in carbon auditing under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Nine years later, he adjusted it to suit the New Zealand education sector and introduced this concept to Howick local schools at the Enviroschools Cluster in March 2021.