SGS Leads the Way with a Low Carbon Fleet in New Zealand

Driving Sustainability: SGS NZ Leads the Way with a Low-Carbon Fleet

In New Zealand due to our relatively low fuel intensive operations our vehicle emissions account for 75% of our Scope 1 (fuels used in buildings & vehicles) emissions. Reducing these emissions is therefore a key priority when it comes to achieving our ambitious sustainability targets, including net-zero emissions by 2050.

This year, our commitment to sustainability has continued to drive meaningful action.

Led by Dean Currie, in collaboration with Procurement, our Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) business swapped 15 Utes for Hybrid Toyota RAV4s. This seemingly simple change is a dramatic step toward our sustainability targets and will support us to avoid around 30 Tonnes of CO2 emissions annually equivalent to 3.5% of our overall emissions in New Zealand.

Sustainability is a responsibility, not just a goal. Upgrading our fleet to hybrid vehicles is a major step toward reducing our carbon footprint and achieving net-zero by 2050. This initiative proves that smart choices drive real change.
— Dean Currie, General Manager, SGS New Zealand.

To accommodate the unique demands of our NDT business, we customized the RAV4s with specially designed trays to protect the vehicles from damage. This practical innovation ensures that our vehicles are well-suited to the challenges of daily operations while remaining environmentally conscious.

Thanks to this initiative half of our vehicles in Aotearoa are now hybrid vehicles—a milestone that will significantly reduce our fleet’s carbon footprint, bringing average vehicle emissions well below global targets, and positions New Zealand as one of the leading affiliates in SGS when it comes to low carbon vehicles.

This proactive shift from the business marks a significant milestone in our journey toward reducing emissions, operating more efficiently and achieving our 2030 Sustainability targets while contributing to New Zealand’s national goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

The Road Ahead

This achievement is just one step on our journey. As we continue to prioritize sustainable practices, we remain committed to further reducing our environmental impact while ensuring the safety and efficiency of our operations. Our next step in New Zealand is to procure our first Plug in Hybrid Vehicle (PHEV) once appropriate feasibility studies have been conducted to enable even further vehicle emissions reductions.

IMPACT NOW for sustainability

The need for sustainability is now undeniable. The impact of industry on the environment, communities and the individual can no longer be ignored, and all stakeholders – from regulators to consumers – want to see positive action on climate change, biodiversity loss and social impact.

IMPACT NOW for sustainability consolidates our sustainability offering under four strategic pillars: climate, circularity, nature and ESG assurance. Through these pillars, we offer trusted compliance solutions that help businesses address the key environmental and social challenges impacting the planet.

Let’s celebrate this milestone as a testament to what we can achieve together when innovation and sustainability drive our decisions. Together, we’re making a difference—one vehicle at a time.

For further information, please contact:

Mark Crichton
Sustainability Advisor
t:+61 1300 781 744