Every year we set ourselves new sustainability targets and report on how we measure up against our previous year’s goals.
01 Achieve a WELL Performance Certification for the Maritime Building, once the building’s renovation is completed.
Status: Underway
We’re continuing to work towards achieving a WELL Performance Certification for the Maritime Building. Although ongoing monitoring has shown some aspects of air quality are in compliance with WELL specifications, VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) have been an ongoing problem, with levels exceeding WELL standards most of the time. As yet, it’s unclear why. The factors seem to be external to the building which, due to its age, is difficult to make airtight. As a result, some air-quality points will no longer be pursued, and Cooper and Company will look to achieve alternative points to reach the total required for the certification.
02 Complete a material issues assessment for Britomart.
Status: Underway
Members of the Cooper and Company sustainability team undertook training in material issues assessment and developed a framework for a material issues survey. This is currently before the executive for approval. Read more about what a material issues assessment is and how it applies to Britomart on p.16.
03 Work with Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Hoani Waititi Marae to broaden Britomart’s vocational programme with the school and introduce students to a wide range of career opportunities and work experience options.
Status: Achieved
Britomart businesses including EY, Westpac, Tailor Inc, Comensa restaurant group and Karen Walker hosted students from Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Hoani Waititi Marae for four career orientation visits for Year 12 and 13 students. Subsequently, five students had six days of work experience placements at EY and Café Hanoi. The programme will continue in 2025.
04 Complete two further research projects relating to the future of work and the interconnected future of the central city, focusing on the benefits of in-person connection and community development.
Status: Partly Achieved
In July, Britomart released a new online and print interview series entitled This is our place. Featuring interviews with 17 inner-city residents, the publication responded to negative media stories about Auckland’s central city by asking its residents about the challenges and rewards of living in central Auckland, and the aspirations they hold for the future of their neighbourhood. The project – which included a free talk at Britomart about the issues raised by the interview series – was an effort to start a wider conversation about the direction of the central city and its importance as a social and economic hub.
05 Continue Britomart’s community engagement through arts displays, cultural performances, and social gatherings in Britomart throughout the year.
Status: Achieved
See the Te Tangata section of the report (p.38) for a summary of the specific community engagement and social sustainability activities Britomart held through the year.
06 Continue with our emissions reduction programme as guided by Toitū Carbonreduce.
Status: Achieved
Britomart’s facilities management team continued to work closely with tenants to maintain awareness of our energy-efficiency and carbon reduction goals, and to operate the neighbourhood’s buildings well. This year, Britomart saw a fall in its overall greenhouse gas emissions, which for the first time fell below the baseline year established in 2019. There is more information about this reduction in emissions on p.14.
07 Work with the Restaurant Association of New Zealand to develop a food waste pilot programme in association with two of Britomart’s restaurants, and share the results of the pilot with other lease partners.
Status: Achieved
Four of Britomart’s restaurants have been participating in the Kai Keepers Food Waste Reduction programme in 2024 – kingi, Cafe Hanoi, Ghost Street, and Perch. Our report on the progress they’ve made can be found on p.62.
08 Start gathering data from the solar panel pilot on the roof of Maritime House after the building renovation is complete.
Status: Cancelled
After conducting a detailed investigation into the suitability of solar power for the roof of the Maritime Building, it was decided that the installation of solar panels on the roof did not offer sufficient benefits to justify the investment – partly because a large building to the north shaded the solar panel area for much of the day. There is more information on this project on p.30.
