SkyCity Entertainment Group says it has turned off the external lights of Auckland’s Sky Tower as part of its green initiatives after the company’s three New Zealand casino-resorts were this week certified carbon neutral by Enviro-Mark Solutions.
The external lights on one of Auckland’s most recognizable landmarks will remain off until mid-December before being replaced with LED bulbs, reducing their energy consumption by 10%. SkyCity said it had also paid NZ$86,000 to offset the equivalent of 12,866 tonnes of measured carbon it produced in FY19 and be certified carbon neutral, with the carbon credits purchased to fund 48,000 solar household cookers for rural communities in China, and to help build wind farm capacity in India.
“While SkyCity isn’t one of New Zealand’s largest contributors to emissions, we strongly believe in taking action on climate change,” said SkyCity CEO Graeme Stephens.
“SkyCity has the means to reduce our emissions, so we should, especially if it can help other businesses who aren’t yet in the position to offset or reduce their impact on the environment.
“On a weekly basis, thousands of local and international guests are welcomed to our SkyCity New Zealand precincts. Now, when our customers visit, they can be confident that they are in a carbon neutral environment.”
Aside from its New Zealand properties in Auckland, Hamilton and Queenstown, Skycity said its Adelaide casino will be certified carbon neutral in 2020, while the New Zealand International Convention Centre will operate as a carbon neutral venue when it opens for business next year.
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