Landcare Research 2004 Annual Report

Landcare Research 2004 Annual Report

Media Release15 October 2004
Sustainability the key to Landcare Research's year

Landcare Research has published its fourth triple bottom line annual report, outlining a year of sustainable growth initiatives for the company and its stakeholders.

Landcare Research's science is very diverse, and includes research on ecosystem management, sustainable rural land practices, and environmentally friendly urban development.

Our research also supports and encourages sustainable business development and government policy.

Chief executive Dr Andy Pearce says making a difference for sustainable development requires leadership by ourselves, and working with others to achieve sustainability gains for New Zealand.

Examples of sustainability advances within the company include:Offsetting half of all the company's CO2 emissions from travel, electricity use etc, through investment in regenerating native forests, through our EBEX21® programme (www.ebex21.co.nz).

The continued purchase of stored carbon credits means that by the end of the next financial year, Landcare Research intends not be contributing any CO2 to global warming.Completion of our new state-of-the-art environmentally friendly science building at the University of Auckland's Tamaki campus.

The building was completed at a cost very close to that of a conventional building, but uses minimal electricity and water.

Continual advances in recruitment and retention of science staff.

Also, Landcare Research is making good progress in its strategy to improve the proportion of women scientists.

A high proportion of staff (63%) receive employer contributions to retirement savings or student loan repayment.

However, Landcare Research recognises that science sector salaries are disproportionately low compared with other sectors in New Zealand, as well as with the science sector overseas.

Sustainability advances we have progressed for / with others: Two new joint ventures with universities: The New Zealand Centre for Ecological Economics (NZCEE) with Massey University, and the Centre for Urban Ecosystem Studies (CUES) with the University of Auckland.

ECOSAT: "ECOsystem attributes from satellite": A programme that removes the "skewing" effects of sunlight and slope from satellite images.

The result is that much larger areas can be mapped, and mapping is much quicker and more accurate.

The technology has helped to map and assess the effects of the Manawatu floods, and is also extending our knowledge on the nature and location of wetlands, priority conservation areas, for mapping and assessing the location and extent of wetlands, indigenous forest remnants, possum habitat, and other features.The report also records a strong financial performance, with gross revenues of $45.2 million and an operating surplus of $1.9 million; a 4.5% return on shareholders' funds.

The report was printed with vegetable inks on 100% recycled paper manufactured using wind power.

Those wanting to avoid the use of paper altogether can see it on the website: http://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/publications/annualreport_0304/ .

A bi-lingual summary report (English and Maori) will be produced shortly. Landcare Research is the Crown Research Institute which focuses on the sustainable development of New Zealand's resources.

ENDS –

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