Sustainability

Setting Sustainable Goals

Sustainability lies at the heart of creating a new energy future. Meeting the needs of current generations without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs, is about striking the right balance between the environment, society and the economy.

The last 12 months have seen a significant shift in the response to sustainability challenges, including ratification of the Paris Agreement by governments, commitment by leading businesses to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and increasing expectations from the financial market on Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) disclosures.

Vector key sustainability risks 

For our part, we have already identified a number of key risks and correlated opportunities that will drive the sustainability agenda for our business and stakeholders in the short to medium term. See our full Sustainability Policy here.


 

Priority Goals

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals provide our business with a global framework to align to, while establishing the issues the world needs to address in order to become more sustainable. The business has identified seven priority goals from the Sustainable Development Goals that we will actively contribute to in the short term. Each goal can be referenced back to our overarching priorities of climate change and transition to a low carbon economy; and/or inclusion and equality. Performance against these goals are underpinned by Sustainable Development Goal 17, ‘Partnerships for the Goals’, which recognises that achieving these goals requires partnership and collaboration. 
 

 

	Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages  Enabling access to affordable energy and healthy homes will help to reduce health issues associated with cold and damp homes.
	Make cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable  Holistic goal that aligns well to Auckland’s ambitions – resilience, energy efficiency and affordable housing.
	Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all  Disruption of the current energy model will result in increased renewable energy while creating opportunities for new models to lower costs for all.
	Take urgent actions to combat climate change and its impacts  The transition to a low carbon economy will require commitment from the energy sector. With an extensive network of assets the business is also exposed to the physical risks of climate change. Both of these require a business response.
	Build resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialisation and foster innovation  Creates an opportunity to incorporate sustainable thinking and build resilience into network development. It also acknowledges the importance of the existing network while fostering the innovation that will drive the future.
	Revitalise the global partnership for sustainable development  Collaboration with other businesses, government and other organisations is a key foundation for achieving the goals. Vector will continue to develop partnerships within New Zealand and globally.
	Reduce inequality within and among countries Inequality is a key emerging issue for New Zealand. Viewed in the wider sense this means access to technology, education and opportunities.
	On 25 September 2015, United Nations member countries adopted a set of goals to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all as part of a new sustainable development agenda.

Looking Ahead

We also recognise that for New Zealand and the other countries in which we operate, there are a range of important social and environmental issues that are not covered by these Sustainable Development Goals. Over time we will be challenging ourselves on how we can contribute positively to these. By 2030 we intend to be making progress against the wider set of goals. 

 

Vector’s schools programme

Teaching kids about energy use and keeping them safe.

 
Improving public safety and developing young minds is something we're both committed to and passionate about at Vector, which is why we work closely with primary and intermediate schools to teach kids how to stay safe around our networks and assets, and how to use energy efficiently.

Our award-winning 'Stay Safe around Electricity' and 'Be Sustainable with Energy' schools programme is offered free of charge to schools within our Auckland electricity network and links directly to the New Zealand Curriculum. The programme runs in Years 3 to 8 in Auckland schools, and since 2005 has educated more than 125,000 children.

Communicating safety and sustainability messages through schools allows us to engage with children in a way that leaves a lasting impression and encourages them to share their learning with family and friends as active persuaders at school, home and out in the wider community.

Visit vectorschools.co.nz for more info or book in a session for your school here.

Auckland Epro8 Challenge: inspiring young minds

This year, 2017, we sponsored the Epro8 Challenge in Auckland, in which 2,200 students from years 5-10 take part in a series of challenges. It’s great to see the EPro8 team getting kids more interested in science and engineering in this way, as well as pushing the boundaires of creativity, problem solving skills and team work. The event’s focus on innovation and technology is a great fit with our vision of creating a new energy future and a great opportunity to get students thinking about the possibilities of careers in this area. 


Supporting the University of Auckland

We have an ongoing relationship with the University of Auckland. We sponsored and participated in the Business School’s 2016 Sustainability week, participating in events including a panel discussion on cultural sustainability and diversity. Our chairman, Michael Stiassny was a panellist at a discussion on the importance of sustainability to Auckland at the University in the lead up to the 2016 local elections.

Future of Energy Competition

In 2015, Vector, with the support of Entrust gave a few lucky families, community groups and schools a total of 130 solar panel and battery units to use for free for 10 years. Aucklanders nominated and voted for the most-deserving and favourite winners in their local communities. We installed our first system at Rongomai School in Otara in early May 2016 and are working on installing the remainder of the systems to our deserving winners.

Community of Interest

Our solar panel and battery installations are helping our communities, while broadening our understanding of the technology, and the benefits it can deliver to the whole country. We are working with the residents of an affordable housing development on Ngāti Whātua land in Ōrākei. The Ngāti Whātua Kāinga Tuatahi development covers 30 housing units and is the first residential cluster in New Zealand to install batteries. Our installation of solar and battery systems is aligned with the hapū’s commitment to environmental well-being and sustainable design principles. Kāinga Tuatahi will give us insights in to the benefits, a cluster of batteries and solar systems can deliver to network development.  See more details about the project in our case study. 

Employee Engagement in the Community

Employees in each of our offices regularly support the community through fundraising, volunteering, awareness raising and collections. Recent events included a clothing drive at each of our main locations across the country to support local charities, and a Christmas collection to collect gifts for the Salvation Army wishing tree campaign, as well as deserving families in Taranaki.

We’ve also supported tree planting days where members of our Vector team have joined forces with Treescape to plant 2,500 trees on Rotoroa Island to help protect the natural beauty and growing native ecosystem on the island, and with Ngati Whatua Ōrākei to plant trees on Auckland’s Bastion Point.

A number of employees also actively engage with Eat My Lunch with many ordering their lunches 1-2 times a week and encouraging the use of their catering service for team events. There are also monthly volunteering sessions organised for those that want to help make the lunches.