Wednesday, 29 August 2018 08:55

Committed to a low emissions economy

Written by  Greg Campbell, chief executive of Ravensdown
Greg Campbell says everyone wants to say they tried to leave the planet in better shape. Greg Campbell says everyone wants to say they tried to leave the planet in better shape.

When 60 heads of large New Zealand companies recently committed to a transition to a low emissions economy, some environmentalists were wary.

While many were prepared to take these leaders at their word, they rightly said they were keen to see evidence of the commitment. 

That position is understandable: these companies are responsible for at least 50% of the nation’s greenhouse gas emissions. Despite the companies’ voluntary initiative, some may think the commercial world is slow to turn around. 

It’s not for lack of desire; everyone wants to be able to say they tried to leave the planet in better shape. That is why I was one of the signatory chief executives, representing Ravensdown. 

Our company has varied effects on the environment so we’re considering every facet of our operation and the impact of farming practice, as well as emissions. We’re getting bolder and more innovative in the practices and technologies.

Good intentions and the capability to make a difference are not enough. Scrutiny and ongoing transparency are expected and welcome. 

In order to ‘control the things we can control’ and get our house in order, we need to calculate our footprint first. The first step is transparency and accuracy about the many moving parts in our business which make up our footprint. We operate three manufacturing plants, seven lime quarries, 85 stores, a joint shipping venture and spreading aircraft and trucks. 

The first attempt at this assessment clearly identifies the shipping of minerals, rocks and fertiliser products as contributing to at least 75% of our carbon emissions. 

As part of our integrated reporting we have just publicly stated that everything linked to our operation, including international shipping, had a carbon emission footprint of 154,407 tonnes CO2. 

Because New Zealand suffers from the ‘tyranny of distance’, the footprints of manufacturers are greatly affected by the fossil fuels used by ships. So we’re pleased that the UN’s International Maritime Organisation has agreed to cut annual greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50% by 2050. This is important because shipping in total worldwide is reckoned to be the world’s sixth-largest emitter of carbon dioxide – roughly the same as Germany. 

Autonomous ships and fuel cell technologies are beyond Ravensdown’s control but we can control our manufacturing and distribution. We estimate that these emit 31,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide, including fuel for transport NZ-wide and for drying ag lime to make it suitable for soil. 

We have started identifying what could and should be done to cut carbon emissions, an important non-financial metric.  We are discovering many things we can and will try to reduce our environmental impact. 

For example, making superphosphate results in heat generation, and our plants generate electricity for their processes and for the national grid.  So we are looking at how to reduce emissions and boost efficiency of that generation.  

We intend to be upfront, reporting on progress or shortcomings, aiming ultimately to ensure that people who now expect more from business leaders are not disappointed.   

• Greg Campbell is chief executive of Ravensdown

More like this

25 years on - where are they now?

To celebrate 25 years of the Hugh Williams Memorial Scholarship, Ravensdown caught up with past recipients to see where their careers have taken them, and what the future holds for the industry.

Agnition announces new online sales channel

Ravensdown’s venture arm, Agnition, has announced a new online sales platform in an effort to give Kiwis more choices for how they purchase fertiliser and other agricultural products.

Featured

Horticulture exports hit $8.4B, surge toward $10B by 2029

A brilliant result and great news for growers and regional economies. That's how horticulture sector leaders are describing the news that sector exports for the year ended June 30 will reach $8.4 billion - an increase of 19% on last year and is forecast to hit close to $10 billion in 2029.

National

Machinery & Products

Farming smarter with technology

The National Fieldays is an annual fixture in the farming calendar: it draws in thousands of farmers, contractors, and industry…

» Latest Print Issues Online

Milking It

110,000 visitors!

OPINION: It's official, Fieldays 2025 clocked 110,000 visitors over the four days.

Sticky situation

OPINION: The Federated Farmers rural advocacy hub at Fieldays has been touted as a great success.

» Connect with Dairy News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter