15 March 2019

Hawke’s Bay District Health Board has committed to measuring and reducing its greenhouse gas footprint by signing up to the Certified Emissions Measurement and Reduction Scheme CEMARS®.

Hawke’s Bay DHB chief executive Dr Kevin Snee said becoming CEMARS® certified was a significant step toward the district health board better understanding and measuring its greenhouse gas footprint - one of several initiatives the DHB would undertake toward minimising its impact on climate change and reducing its impact on the environment.

“Hawke’s Bay DHB is one of several DHBs now joined up to the CEMARS® scheme,” explained Dr Snee.

“We are taking climate change seriously and are joining others in the health sector to take a leadership role in mitigating and adapting to the effects of climate change.”

Dr Snee said hospitals were a 24/7 operation and use of energy sources were high. However, these could be further reduced by making small changes and doing them consistently.

“The DHB will set annual targets to reduce its carbon footprint and, by understanding this, it will then be better placed to further reduce emissions in line with the Government’s ambition to set a target of a net zero emissions country by 2050.

“Our carbon footprint includes reducing things such as waste to landfill, recycling and medical gases. We will also work on using our energy more wisely and encouraging staff to continue to take up the many options now available to them by choosing alternative travel options to and from work and/or to meetings.”

The DHB’s CEMARS® certification included all DHB sites – Hastings, Napier, Wairoa and Central Hawke’s Bay. Education sessions would begin with staff early next month to provide an understanding of what the DHB is trying to achieve and how staff can get on board.

To view the DHB’s sustainability initiatives as well as its CEMARS® certification and planning, visit: http://www.hawkesbay.health.nz/about-us/sustainability

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