Outstanding Contribution to Sustainable Energy - High Achievement for Prof Gerry Carrington and Prof Ann Smith
Both Professors Gerry Carrington and Ann Smtih were awarded high achievement awards for their contribution to sustainable energy.
Professor C. Gerry Carrington
Emertius Professor Gerry Carrington has a long and distinguished career.
He is recognised internationally for his research over the past 25 years on thermodynamic process analysis and the use of efficient energy technologies for space heating, water heating and industrial drying. Driven by the strong motivation of applying his work for the economic benefit of New Zealand, he has made sustained, outstanding contributions to these areas including groundbreaking developments in thermal processes and technology.
Gerry's vision for a coordinated research effort focused on the sustainability of New Zealand's energy system has seen him establish and lead two key enduring energy research bodies: The Otago Energy Research Centre and the National Energy Research Institute.
His passion for efficient energy management, building the capability of the next generation and the integration of technology and business skills, led him to initiate, develop and lead New Zealand's first energy management tertiary education programme in 1997 - the Energy Management and Energy Studies degree programme. Between 2000 and 2004 he was the founding Director of the Interdisciplinary Applied Science programme.
Professor Carrington's dedication toward efficient energy management in New Zealand has been far-reaching. This award recognises the work Professor Carrington has instigated, led and been dedicated to developing - work that will continue to benefit New Zealand's sustainable energy practice for many decades to come.
Professor Ann Smith
Professor Ann Smith is the developer and leader of the carboNZero programme at Landcare Research. This award recognises the contribution she has made in leading and driving a programme with far-reaching economic and environmental benefits for New Zealand.
Ann has been instrumental in taking the carboNZero programme from internet-based calculator and carbon offsetting initiatives to a fully-fledged certification programme. Under Ann's technical leadership, the Certified Emissions Measurement and Reduction Programme was developed which allows companies to measure their greenhouse gas emissions, put in place steps to reduce them and have these steps independently certified.
Recently Ann took the carboNZero programme through the rigorous process of obtaining accreditation from the Joint Accreditation System of Australia and New Zealand (JAS-ANZ), under the auspices of the International Accreditation Forum (IAF). The accreditation means the carboNZero programme will be the first greenhouse certification programme in the world to be accredited the ISO 14065, and the carboNZero programme Strategic Business Unit will be the only greenhouse gas verifier outside the United States accredited to ISO 14065.
Ann's philosophy in tackling climate change is about business sustainability - whereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions is good for business and our environment. Ann, through her work with the carboNZero programme team, is facilitating change and innovation to New Zealand business and the wider economy.
