Auckland War Memorial Museum cuts carbon emissions by 50%

Auckland War Memorial Museum has announced that the organisation has reduced its carbon emissions by 50%, or nearly 1000 tonnes per annum, since it began monitoring its footprint three years ago.

As explained by Auckland Museum Director Roy Clare, “The museum set ambitious sustainability goals back in 2010 and has pushed these goals higher year after year.” The savings were achieved through improvements in heating, ventilation and cooling systems in the building; increased recycling by the public and staff; reduced air travel by staff; and use of more energy-efficient LED lighting. 

Over the three years:

• total physical waste to landfill has reduced by 61%
• more than 100,000 kg of mixed waste has been diverted away from landfills and either recycled or repurposed
• natural gas consumption has reduced by 63%
• electricity consumption has reduced by 36%
• air travel carbon emissions have reduced by 39%.

The museum’s annual energy savings will exceed $400,000 by the year’s end, and cumulative savings over three years will near $900,000. These savings have been redirected into ensuring that the museum is able to align itself to the Auckland Plan - a vision to make Auckland the world’s most liveable city - and extend its reach to an ever-increasingly diverse Auckland - on site, off site and online. 

“Our next venture is in solar energy,” said Clare, “and thanks to a partnership with Meridian Energy, we will be installing solar panels on the museum’s roof by May.

“The opportunity for solar power opens up a whole new renewable energy chapter for the museum. It enables us to take the next step towards our goal of ensuring environmental sustainability through adopting green building innovations.”

In honour of its 50% reduction and to show its support for Earth Hour 2014, the museum will turn its exterior lights off on Saturday 29 March from 8.30-9.30 pm, and then be illuminated in green light for the remainder of the night.

Sustainability is a core objective within Future Museum - the museum’s 20-year strategic plan - which can be viewed here.