Sustainability

Toitūtanga – sustainability

O Mahurangi – Penlink sustainability annual report summary [PDF, 529 KB]

Waka Kotahi is committed to delivering environmental and social outcomes as part of the design, construction and operation of its infrastructure projects, and are aiming to achieve an ‘Excellent’ Infrastructure Sustainability (IS) Rating for the Design and As-built phases.

The Infrastructure Sustainability Council (ISC) is the peak industry body for advancing sustainability outcomes in infrastructure.  IS rating scheme is a comprehensive rating scheme for evaluating sustainability across design, construction and operation of Infrastructure. The IS rating scheme aims to: 

• Provide a common national language for sustainability in infrastructure.
• Provide a framework for consistent application and evaluation of sustainability in tendering processes.
• Help in scoping whole-of-life sustainability risks for projects and assets, enabling smarter solutions that reduce risks and costs.
• Foster efficiency and waste reduction, reducing costs.
• Foster innovation and continuous improvement in the sustainability outcomes from infrastructure.
• Build an organisation’s credentials and reputation in its approach to sustainability outcomes.

IS rating scheme(external link)

Resource efficiency, waste minimisation

O Mahurangi - Penlink represents a significant opportunity to change the way that transport infrastructure projects are delivered, particularly in how we view and use resources and waste. We are committed to minimising Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions associated with O Mahurangi - Penlink, with benefits that will leave a lasting, positive legacy in the community and wider industry.  

For the duration of the project we will demonstrate a sustained focus on optimising what we use, how we use it and the whole of life impacts of resources.

O Mahurangi - Penlink will deliver on the vision Waka Kotahi has for a ‘low carbon, safe and healthy land transport system’ as set out in Toitū te Taiao.  

The approach aligns with the Waka Kotahi definition of resource efficiency: “to achieve the best possible output for the least volume of materials and energy consumed during the construction, operation and maintenance of the land transport system, while providing relevant levels of service for safety, speed, environment and amenity.”  

Te Hiringa o Te Taiao | Our Resource Efficiency Strategy was published in June 2021 and in February 2022 Waka Kotahi released their Resource Efficiency Policy for Infrastructure Delivery & Maintenance. Our geometric alignment and earthworks strategy minimises cut to waste and reduces carbon, as well as lowering cost and increasing production efficiency. Re-using and re-purposing materials wherever possible and managing and sorting all waste on-site signals a shift in the way we value resources. We will extend this by working closely with the supply chain to positively influence both efficient use of resources and minimisation of waste.  This project can be a catalyst for industry change in the delivery of transport infrastructure in both resource efficiency and the treatment of waste as a valuable resource. 

Resource Efficiency Policy for Infrastructure Delivery & Maintenance [PDF, 146 KB]

During the design and construction phases, we will continue to focus on resource efficiency so that it is deeply embedded into our team culture. We will seek to minimise wherever possible the impacts of resource use in terms of the volume of material and energy consumption required. 

Sustainability Policy

The O Mahurangi - Penlink Sustainability Policy was developed with guidance from Mana Whenua. It provides a guide to influence and create a sustainability culture shift.  

O Mahurangi Penlink Sustainability Policy - February 2023 [PDF, 367 KB]

Sustainability Targets

The Sustainability Targets for O Mahurangi - Penlink focus on sustainable sourcing and resource efficiency, including waste minimisation, reducing energy, carbon and water consumption. These targets align with Te Hiringa o Te Taiao | Our Resource Efficiency Strategy and Waka Kotahi Resource Efficiency Policy for Infrastructure Delivery & Maintenance.

The project is also aiming for sustainable procurement outcomes and designing for the impacts of climate change. This includes evaluation of sustainability policies and objectives of potential suppliers.