Take the Lead in Sustainable Tourism
The Tourism Carbon Footprint Project is a Northland Inc initiative, delivered in partnership with Northland Regional Council, to help tourism businesses measure and reduce their carbon footprint with ease. Using CarbonTrail an AI-driven emissions measurement tool, participating businesses will gain valuable insights into their environmental impact, free of charge and without needing prior expertise. With expert guidance from Dr. David Ermen (Destination Capacity, businesses will also receive tailored strategies to improve efficiency, cut costs, and enhance their market appeal.
This is more than just an environmental initiative—it’s a business-first approach to sustainability. Reducing emissions often leads to smarter operations, lower expenses, and stronger brand positioning, all while supporting Taitokerau Northland’s reputation as a world-class destination. By participating, businesses contribute to a regional benchmark for emissions reduction, helping shape a more resilient tourism sector.
Join us in leading the way. Express your interest below and be part of a project that strengthens your business while protecting the natural and cultural treasures that make Taitokerau Northland unique.
FAQ'S
What will my business get from this project?
The Tourism Carbon Footprint Project will provide businesses with a carbon footprint measurement for a 12-month period, using CarbonTrail, an AI-driven emissions measurement tool. Expert guidance will be offered to businesses to provide practical strategies and guidance on understanding and reducing their emissions, and how emission reduction can help generate business efficiencies. This will include a tailored 1-day workshop with Dr David Ermen, ensuring you have the tools and knowledge to take meaningful action.
Is there a cost for my business to be involved?
The Tourism Carbon Footprint Project is free for businesses to take part in. A Northland Inc initiative delivered in partnership with Northland Regional Council, we recognise the importance of making carbon emission measurements accessible for our visitor industry, and encouraging education around emission reduction for business and environmental sustainability.
Who is CarbonTrail?
CarbonTrail, founded in April 2022, is based in Christchurch, New Zealand. They are a multidisciplinary team who believe in the power of technology in the fight against climate breakdown.
You can find out more about them on their website: CarbonTrail - Emissions Measurement + Scope 3 Software
Why is understanding my carbon footprint important?
Understanding your carbon footprint has a number of benefits for businesses, including:
- Identifying inefficiencies and implementing smarter practices, to help businesses cut costs while improving sustainability.
- A commitment to sustainability enhances brand reputation and positions businesses as industry leaders in responsible tourism.
- A region-wide commitment to emissions reduction can strengthen Northland’s reputation as a world-class sustainable tourism destination.
- The project also supports economic growth by helping businesses future-proof operations, attract high-value visitors, and foster a resilient tourism sector.
What is the timeline for the project?
This project kicks off in March 2025, with a period of 6 weeks for business to sign up, data collection, data analysis. A tailored workshop, ensuring you have the tools and knowledge to take meaningful action, will be delivered mid-June (date to be advised).
The final step in this project will be a regional report on our collective carbon footprint. All data will be aggregated and will not include individual business details or individual carbon measurement. We may ask for case study examples for the report and will discuss with you individually regarding this and what information you would be happy to share.
How much time will I be required to commit to this project?
An initial data upload will be required, which is streamlined into the CarbonTrail platform if your business is Xero enabled. There will be a 1-hour webinar over the set-up period to guide you through the process if you need the additional support. Once all the data has been collected and analysed, we will hold a full day workshop in mid-June (date to be confirmed) to discuss results and talk through efficiency strategies for your business
What are the next steps?
We will be reviewing the applications in early April. If you are chosen as one of the 50 businesses to participate in the project, you will receive an email from CarbonTrail with your licence details and how to get started on signing up.
We will then be in touch with workshop details.
For more information:
Amy Simpkin
Northland Inc Project Lead
E: amy.simpkin@northlandnz.com
PROJECT PARTNERs:
DELIVERY PLATFORM:
