Carbon reduction projects and initiatives

A running list of in-progress, ongoing, and completed projects and initiatives designed to reduce emissions and provide other co-benefits. Last updated in November 2025.

Air travel

Air travel policy (completed)
  • Environmental and carbon principles were integrated into the travel policy, to raise awareness of Net Zero commitments, encourage fewer flights and lower-carbon travel options.
Air travel dossier (completed)
  • An Air Travel Dossier was created in the internal Enterprise Management System, to assist managers with decision-making about air travel.
Travel working group (in progress)
  • A Travel Working Group has been tasked with strengthening the University's strategic approach to air travel, balancing institutional goals, budget constraints and sustainability commitments.

Energy and fuel

Electricity procurement (completed)
  • Increased the procurement of certified carbonzero electricity to 100%.
Electrical infrastructure upgrade (in progress)
  • This project aims to increase the 22 kV connection capacity from Vector, to enable the University to carry out key new builds and decarbonisation projects. 
  • Stage one aims to upgrade the capacity for the University’s City Campus from 12.75 MVA to 19.8 MVA. A capacity of 16.4 MVA will be made available by 2030.
Energy management system (completed)
  • Upgraded energy management system to improve monitoring of energy consumption and on-site generation.
Student Service Hub B109 (completed)
  • Light fittings upgraded to LEDs.
  • Feasibility studies on decentralising and decarbonising building services, including chilled water and heating hot water systems, electrical distribution, and field equipment.
Building 114 (in progress)
  • Decommissioned gas boiler and upgraded heating to electric panel and new HVAC system.
  • New LED lighting system and room temperature controls have been explored to attain more energy-efficient light fittings and heating with modern control systems, further increasing efficiency and lowering running costs.
Old Choral Hall redevelopment (in progress)
  • Plans for consented gas and heating systems were changed to reflect Net-Zero carbon aspirations. The building will not have gas as a heating source.
Sector 200 power infrastructure upgrade (completed)
  • Enabling works to provide electrical capacity for the decarbonisation of B251-252 (Marae), B253 (Māori Studies) and B273-75 (Fale Pasifika).
Building 201 redevelopment (completed)
  • Natural gas consumption was eliminated on-site. Cooling, heating, and domestic hot water demands are met with electric heat pumps.
  • All large chillers and heat pumps use refrigerants with low and zero global warming potential.
  • Photovoltaic arrays provide 10% of the building's energy. In the first three months of monitoring, the PV arrays have generated 38,560 kWh of electricity, making up 10.83% of the building’s total electricity usage.
  • Low-emissions double-glazed insulating glass unit, with a spectrally selective coating minimises solar gain, whilst providing high levels of daylight. Provides both a 70% reduction in solar gains and halves the building's annual heating demand. 
  • New building envelope reduces the building's energy consumption by over 25%, and targets an air permeability rate of 5.0m3/hr/m2 at 50Pa.
Music Building B250 (completed)
  • Decarbonised as part of the B201 east power infrastructure upgrade. Cooling, heating, and domestic hot water demands are met through a heat pump system.
  • Annual verified energy savings of 254,937 kWh or $11,409 or 51.96 tCO2-eq.
Waipapa Marae B251-252 (completed) 
  • All gas heating and kitchen equipment was replaced with electric.
  • Efficient underfloor heating and new LED light fittings were installed.
Owen G Glenn Building B260 (completed)
  • Two of the three main building chillers were modified to be more energy efficient. 
  • Annual savings of 320,866 kWh or $60,000 were achieved.
Owen G Glenn Building B260 (in progress)
  • A building tuning exercise aims to optimise the HVAC system and central plant. 
  • Targeting savings of 5% reduction in electricity and gas usage for the building. 
  • Targeting a natural gas reduction of 65,000 kWh.
Owen G Glenn Building carpark B260 (completed)
  • The 18-year-old carpark lighting and emergency lighting on all levels was upgraded to energy-efficient LED fittings. The light fittings were also upgraded with lighting controls. 
  • Annual verified savings amount to 291,708 kWh or $58,341.
Fale Pasifika Buildings 273-275 (in progress)
  • Substituting gas hot water system with electric hot water system. Replacing boiler with R290 heat pumps (boiler). 
  • Targeting a natural gas reduction of 159,852 kWh.
Recreation Centre B310 (completed)
  • Plans for consented gas and heating systems were changed to reflect Net-Zero carbon aspirations. The building does not have gas as a heating source.
  • Energy consumption performance is 13% below design estimates.
Engineering Building B402 (in progress)
  • Replacing three units of gas burner, three units of gas boiler and a gas cylinder with alternative electric solutions. 
  • Targeting a natural gas reduction of 249,000 kWh.
Engineering Building B405 (in progress)
  • Building tuning project is underway and involves a range of initiatives to optimise building performance and deliver significant gas and electricity savings.
Elam School of Fine Arts Building B432 (completed)
  • A heat recovery unit was installed in Room 127, supplying fresh air to Rooms 126 and 127 to improve air circulation and reduce moisture buildup. This reduced energy use through using heat from one part of the building to heat another area while supporting a healthier indoor environment. 
Elam School of Fine Arts B433 (in progress)
  • Replacing 24 units of gas-fire radiant heaters with alternative electric solutions. 
  • Targeting a natural gas reduction of 84,147 kWh.
Medical and Health Science Buildings B501, B505 (completed)
  • Lecture theatre lighting was upgraded and converted to high efficiency lighting devices. 
Decarbonisation of B518 (in progress)
  • Replacing all natural gas end uses to electric. 
  • Targeting an annual natural gas reduction of 1,806 kWh of gas.
Decarbonisation of B601-603 (completed)
  • As part of demolition works, the gas connection to the site of building 601-603 was decommissioned.
  • This reduced annual natural gas consumption by 513,237 kWh. 
O'Rorke Hall B614 (completed)
  • Gas boilers removed, and new heat pumps installed to provide domestic hot water, including to the commercial kitchen, laundry room, and dishwasher room. 
  • Reduced natural gas consumption by 468,509 kWh.
Symonds Centre B620 (in progress)
  • Replacing two existing gas boilers with new electric boilers to provide heating hot water to this 13-storey office tower. 
  • Targeting a reduction of natural gas consumption by 419,924 kWh. 

Waste prevention

University-wide furniture (ongoing) 
  • A formalised process is being socialised throughout facilities managers to encourage repurposing and rehoming furniture and other materials from decants and refurbishment projects, to reduce waste to landfill. 
University-wide events (ongoing) 
  • A Sustainable Events Guide and associated checklist is available on our website and integrated into event planning processes, to encourage circular practices and to avoid waste to landfill. 
  • Guidelines have been shared internally to limit the quantity of pizzas allowed to be ordered in catering, to limit pizza box waste.
University-wide printing (ongoing) 
  • 'Follow Me' printing has been enabled across our campuses since 2019. 
  • Print jobs must be activated at the printer, via a Campus Card, eliminating unnecessary printing and waste.
Old Choral Hall redevelopment (in progress)
  • The project was included in our first phase of construction and demolition waste assessment and monitoring, via contractor engagement.
  • Total waste generated: 803 tonnes. 490 tonnes (61%) recovered, 313 tonnes sent to landfill (39%).
Building 201 redevelopment (completed)
  • The project was included in our first phase of construction and demolition waste assessment and monitoring, via contractor engagement. 
  • Total waste generated: 7,124 tonnes. 6,432 tonnes (90%) recovered, 706 tonnes sent to landfill (10%).
Waipapa Marae B252 (completed) 
  • Used equipment re-homed via online auction to avoid waste to landfill. 
O'Rorke Hall B614 (completed) 
  • All old wardrobes and bookshelves were donated to charity when bedroom and dining hall furniture was updated.
  • Waste materials were recycled, included metal from old light fittings and heaters.

Water efficiency

Building 201 redevelopment (completed)
  • The predicted water consumption is 75% less than a standard building, achieved by a combination of air source heat rejection, rainwater harvesting and high performance sanitary fixtures and fittings. Potable water demand is expected to be reduced by over 80%. 
  • For 2024 year-to-date, rainwater has accounted for 33% of the total water usage in B201, equivalent to 1,488 cubic metres. 
Recreation Centre B310 (completed)
  • Includes underground rainwater harvesting tank treated for grey water reuse in toilets and non-potable systems.
  • Rainwater tank is tracking at approximately 5.4% of the total water usage, or an average of 71 cubic metres per month. 

Landscaping and garden

Wynyard Street landscaping (completed)
  • A sustainable streetscaping project to prioritise people and biodiversity over cars
  • Increases biodiversity through a range of native plantings and integration of a planted lung which includes a rain garden.
  • Improves the resilience of the estate infrastructure, with underground service routes and future-proofed stormwater drainage. 
Newmarket landscaping (completed)
  • New design includes tree planting, covered and uncovered new seating and a raised boardwalk.
  • Design decisions significantly reduce impervious surfaces, enable stormwater treatment, and improve flood resilience, shade and biodiversity. 
University community garden (in progress)
  • At the feasibility and concept design phase.

Sustainable commuting

Building B201 (completed)
  • Two secure bike cages and a dedicated end of trip facility were built as part of the redevelopment to support cyclists at the end of their commute. 
  • The end of trip facility includes five toilets and showers (one accessible), 32 lockers, a drying room and power points. 
Building B310 (completed)
  • A secure bike cage for lightweight bikes was added as part of the redevelopment of the Recreation Centre, to support cyclists at the end of their commute. It has a capacity of up to 52 bikes, hung vertically.
Building B620 (completed)
  • A secure cage and dedicated end of trip facility were retrofitted as part of a B620 upgrade. 
  • The end of trip facility includes three showers, 12 lockers, a drying room and power points.

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