Carbon Neutral Government Programme in New Zealand schools and kura

To mitigate and adapt to climate change, we need to identify the biggest opportunities for carbon emission reduction.

The Carbon Neutral Government Programme(external link) (CNGP) aims to accelerate emissions reduction in the public sector. It requires public sector organisations, including state schools and kura, to:

measure and report their emissions annually;
set emissions reduction targets;
introduce emissions reduction plans; and
offset any remaining Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions from 2025.

To reduce the administrative burden on state schools and kura, the Ministry has undertaken to do this mahi on their behalf. The first report is due in December 2023.

This is being done by a CNGP team for schools and kura. The team is currently building a portfolio-level picture of schools’ annual GHG emissions based on centrally held data. The emissions report will provide an overview of our emissions at all schools and kura, rather than for each individual school or kura.

How is the reporting being done?

The first step is to identify activities undertaken at schools and kura over a one-year period. We start by looking at what we spend our money on and add to that list activities that result from the functioning of the school, like how our ākonga and kaiako commute. This includes fuel use, electricity use, water use, waste to landfill, transport, construction and purchased goods and services. For the first year of reporting, we are focusing on those activities that we can report on without requesting any additional information from schools and kura. We will continue to investigate adding additional detail to our reporting over time.

Following this step, we will apply an emission factor to those activities. Emission factors combine climate science with accounting principles to establish a carbon dioxide equivalent that is emitted when undertaking a particular activity. The combined total creates a GHG inventory, which will allow us to see the total tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO2e) emitted within that period for all the activities we are reporting on. This information will highlight where emissions come from and will allow us to think about ways in which we can realistically reduce them.

All data collected will be aggregated to school typologies and extrapolated to a national level. No individual school will be identifiable.

Once we understand where the biggest opportunities to reduce our emissions are, we will be working with schools and kura to set emission reduction targets and initiatives to meet them.

How will reporting make a difference?

A portfolio-level GHG report for schools and kura is a tool which we can use to better understand our current impact on the environment and plan potential changes in our activities.

We know that many schools and kura are already engaged in their own environmental projects and we want to recognise and celebrate these initiatives. The work that we are undertaking is in addition to these initiatives and aims to identify other changes that we can make. By reporting on current emissions and modelling potential reduction initiatives, we can identify the big opportunities to create an impact across all schools and kura.

How can state schools and kura get involved?

If you or your school or kura is already working on climate change initiatives, we’d love to hear from you. The CNGP team will be going out to schools and kura around the motu to talk about options for realistic emissions targets and plans. If you are particularly interested in staying up to date with the programme, or would like to understand more about your school’s emission profile, please get in touch:

CNGP.Schools@education.govt.nz

Acknowledging schools and kura already involved!

We acknowledge the following schools and organisations, and the work they have done to reduce carbon emissions: Te Aho Tūroa, EnviroSchools, Taikura Rudolf Steiner, Auckland Council's Sustainable School Teams, Trident High School, Te Kura o Te Pāroa, and Moanataiari School who are included in Me, Growing a Thriving World - A Guidance Booklet [PDF, 7.8 MB] which includes guidance and information on how schools can start to reduce their emissions.

State-integrated Schools

While state-integrated schools are not required to measure and report their carbon emissions under the CNGP due to different property arrangements, we welcome all efforts made to join us on the emissions reduction journey!

Frequently asked questions

If you have any other questions, contact CNGP.Schools@education.govt.nz.

What is the Carbon Neutral Government Programme (CNGP)?

The CNGP is designed to accelerate the reduction of emissions across the public sector. It requires public sector organisations to measure and reduce carbon emissions. More information can be found on the Ministry for the Environment’s website(external link).

What does it mean for boards, schools and kura?

As the legal body governing a school, boards are a part of the CNGP and originally were going to have to meet the requirements themselves. However, to reduce the burden on boards, the Ministry will be meeting the requirements on behalf of the state schooling sector. The Ministry’s CNGP team is currently building a portfolio-level picture of schools’ annual greenhouse gas emissions based on centrally held data and does not require schools or kura to provide any further information.

Are state-integrated schools included in the CNGP?

State-integrated schools are not required to measure and report their carbon emissions under the CNGP due to a difference in ownership of property and key infrastructure. State-integrated schools can still take active steps to reduce their carbon footprint.

The Ministry of Education has produced a guidance document, Me, Growing a Thriving World - A Guidance Booklet [PDF, 7.8 MB], which includes information about how schools can start to reduce their emissions.

What is the Ministry reporting on our behalf?

The Ministry is reporting on a wide range of emissions including those associated with coal, gas and electricity use, water consumption and waste, transport, construction and purchased goods and services. These emissions sources make up a significant proportion of overall emissions in the sector.

What type of information will be collected?

To minimise burden on individual schools, kura and boards, we will use data which we already have access to, as well as information that we can access without making demands of schools and kura. For example, we are gathering information from electricity suppliers. Additional data will be modelled using industry accepted methodologies to help create a full picture of sector-wide emissions.

My school wants to do more, what can we do?

Nothing that the Ministry is doing at a sector-wide level precludes any individual school or kura from developing their own picture of their specific emissions or from thinking about ways that they can reduce their carbon footprint.

Will schools and kura be able to access this information to use themselves?

Yes, schools and kura will be able to access the report for the 2022-2023 year once it is finalised, however the reporting is at a portfolio level and because of this individual emission reports for schools and kura will not be possible.

Who is responsible for emissions reduction?

The Ministry, schools and kura all have a part to play in reducing emissions in the schooling sector. The Ministry’s initial focus will be on reducing significant emissions through centrally led programmes such as the Coal Boiler Replacement Programme. However, there are a range of emissions that schools and kura can influence such as transport, waste, water and energy consumption.

How can I get involved?

We’re looking forward to working with state schools and kura to come up with realistic targets and plans for reducing our carbon emissions later in the year. If you or your school or kura would like to be actively involved in carbon emissions reduction planning, please get in touch:

CNGP.Schools@education.govt.nz

Last reviewed: 27 June 2023 Has this been useful? Give us your feedback