SkyCity certified as carbon neutral

Monday 14th of October 2019

Casino operator SkyCity Entertainment Group, and its New Zealand properties has been certified as “carbon neutral", as part of the company's moves to become a greener business.

The NZX-listed company has paid around $86,000 to offset the equivalent of 12,866 tonnes of carbon from its Auckland, Hamilton, and Queenstown businesses.

The operator is aiming to have its Adelaide operation also become carbon neutral next year.

As part of its carbon-neutral plans, the operator aid it will be switching off the external lights at Auckland’s Sky Tower for two months while it replaces them with LED bulbs.

According to the operator, the company has reduced its gas, fuel and electricity emissions by 13 percent over the last year. It aims to reduce its emissions by 38 percent by 2030.

"Going neutral says we've done something now whilst we get on with the task of reducing emissions," said SkyCity chief executive Graeme Stephens.

Stephens said the company will be aiming to reduce its landfill waste next.

"We've been looking at technology which might be something we can adopt. Trying to get zero waste to landfill is one of the missions we're focused on,” he said.

The company has dropped plastic straws in favor of plant-based alternatives, upgraded its air conditioning units, and is now offering beer and wine on tap in its restaurants, and it has reduced the waste sent to landfill by over 20 percent.