APRU conference shows the way with carbon-offset initiative

With sustainability a key focus of the Association of Pacific Rim Universities’ (APRU) Annual Presidents’ Meeting, being hosted by the University of Auckland, the alliance of leading research-driven universities is walking the talk.

Around 130 global delegates are in New Zealand for the event, and the APRU is offsetting the carbon emissions associated with travelling here.

APRU Chief Executive, Professor Thomas Schneider, made the announcement on day two of the event, saying, for the first time, APRU is offsetting 420 tonnes of carbon emissions. This will occur through its contribution to Canada’s BigCoast Forest Climate Initiative. (See video below.)

The move is part of APRU’s sustainability efforts to mitigate carbon travel costs associated with numerous international conferences held annually.

Vice-Chair of APRU and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Auckland, Professor Dawn Freshwater, says the idea is something that could work well for other international conferences held in Aotearoa.

“This initiative could set a benchmark for conferences held in New Zealand,” she said. “It demonstrates the collaborative, thought leadership approach of this group of universities.”

The BigCoast Forest Climate Initiative has protected unique West Coast forests in Canada by deferring timber harvesting on 40,000 hectares across Vancouver Island, Haida Gwaii, and Coastal British Columbia for at least 25 years.