How to use these resources
You’re keen to start decarbonising your growing business. You know it’ll help you reduce costs, create value, and future-proof your business. But you also might be wondering where to start – don’t worry, we've got you covered.
Simply follow our 5-step pathway below to discover practical tools and resources to help you identify, measure, and lower your emissions. Work your way through them at your own pace, put the lessons into practice, and start seeing results.
5 steps to reduce your carbon footprint
The Covered Cropping Decarbonisation Pathway starts with energy efficiency. The end goal is to move away from fossil fuels, but by first taking steps to improve existing processes, equipment and operations, your transition will be more efficient and more cost effective.
The pathway has been broken down into 5 steps. Each step provides practical information for New Zealand growers, no matter how far along the decarbonisation journey you are.
Step 1: Increase engagement and awareness
Understanding the emissions impact of businesses in the covered cropping sector is a key step towards beginning your decarbonisation journey. Having awareness of which processes are carbon intensive can help identify your opportunities. Whilst engaging your staff and including them on the journey is proven to increase results.
Step 2: Measure emissions and set targets
Knowing what to measure and how to measure it is an important step in decarbonising. In this section, find resources and tools to measure and account for energy consumption and see how your business compares to others within the covered cropping sector.
Step 3: Optimise equipment and improve processes
Reviewing and adjusting the way equipment performs can be a big win for energy reduction, as well as cost and productivity.
Step 4: Reduce energy demand
New technology or upgrades to existing processes can reduce energy demand.
Step 5: Switching to renewable energy
Fuel switching to renewable energy sources is the final step to decarbonising. By following steps 1-4, you'll be in the best position to make an informed decision about fuel switching, in the most cost-effective way.
Got a question?
We're here to help. If you have a question about any step in the pathway, send us an email and one of our experts will get back to you.
Co-funding opportunities
EECA offers a range of co-funding and support to businesses wanting to make the switch to renewable energy or implement innovative projects that will reduce carbon emissions. The criteria that need to be met varies depending on the programme. The following funds may be of interest for the covered cropping sector.