Our company value of Kaitiakitanga is central to decision-making. We consider the environmental, economic, community and cultural impacts of our decisions everywhere we operate.
At Port Marlborough we take a structured, practical approach to managing our environmental impact. The Environmental Management System that we use follows the Plan-Do-Check-Act model and is aligned to the ISO14001 standard. This system guides compliance and continuous improvement, enabling the proactive identification of risks, meaningful target-setting, and evidence-based decision making.
Our Carbon Emissions Improvement Strategy began in 2023, with the implementation of the Bravegen Carbon Data Management System.
Implementation of this system has resulted in improved management of our emissions inventory, enhanced data accuracy, streamlined collection processes, and simplified emissions reporting. The system also allows us to report on location-specific data, making the data more meaningful to each different area of our operations.
Our Emissions Reduction Plan, completed in 2025, provides a framework for commitments, initiatives and timelines for our climate action goals. Port Marlborough is committed to reducing our operational scope 1 and 2 emissions to align with 1.5˚C pathway trajectory.
Our aim is to reduce our emissions by 42% by 2030 and 90% by 2050.
Waste
Waste minimisation remains a key focus. Last year we achieved our target of >70% waste diverted from landfill. This success has been driven by a strong focus on waste sorting, reuse, and recycling across operations, including the provision of waste and recycling compounds across our three marina sites.
For major projects, specific waste-diversion goals are set by our project teams. In 2024 the deconstruction of the Picton Ferry Terminal building was completed. This project achieved a waste diversion percentage of 76% of recovered materials being diverted from landfill, including concrete to be crushed and repurposed (619T), reinforcing steel from concrete and other metals (139T) that was salvaged to be repurposed.
By prioritising material recovery and re-use, we are aligning with circular economy principles, ensuring that valuable resources remain in use for as long as possible rather than being sent to landfill.
Energy
Our main sources of energy consumption include tug fuel, vehicle fleet fuel, boiler fuel for heating our offices and electricity usage across our operations. As part of our carbon reduction pathway, we are shifting focus from identifying opportunities to reduce energy use in these key areas to exploring opportunities to move to renewable energy alternatives.
Water usage
We have taken steps to improve water management efficiency. In December 2024, smart water meters were installed across the port, enabling real-time monitoring and leak detection through utility management software. This system will provide greater visibility of water use, reduce unnecessary consumption, and enable our teams to further support sustainable management of freshwater resources.
Our Sustainability Strategy is a long-term plan that guides us to operate in a way that balances environmental care, social responsibility, and economic viability. Our Strategy sets the course for future work and is targeted to deliver success across health, safety, and wellness outcomes (People), environmental outcomes (Planet), customer outcomes and infrastructure (Performance), sustainable returns (Prosperity), and social and cultural outcomes (Partnerships).
Input from our stakeholders is imperative when creating our strategy; we listen carefully to staff, customers, mana whenua, and the wider community to understand the environmental and social issues that matter most.
Each year, we:
For a full picture of Port Marlborough’s sustainability progress, please see our 2024 Integrated Annual Report, along with our Global Reporting Initiative Index, which can be found in the publications section of our website here.
We are committed to supporting the long-term ecosystem health and sustainability of the unique Marlborough Sounds environment through active restoration and enhancement plans.
Over the next three years, targets have been set around native planting programmes across 26 hectares of land in Shakespeare Bay to support biodiversity and natural regeneration.
Habitat restoration will remain a core part of environmental work, with future opportunities identified through ecological assessments and engagement with local partners. The restoration focus supports outcomes that benefit the environment and the industries and communities that depend on it.
To learn more about our restoration projects click on the link below.
Take me to the Restoration page.
The Picton Bays (Shakespeare Bay, Picton Bay, Waikawa Bay) in which we operate are a vibrant tapestry of land and sea that supports an array of native wildlife from pods of Dusky and Hector’s dolphins to an abundance of different land and seabirds.
To better understand our harbour environment Port Marlborough have previously engaged with Kaikoura Ocean Research Institute, Cawthron Institute and Wildlife Management International to conduct monitoring so that we can do our best to protect the welfare of its inhabitants.
To learn more about our local biodiversity click the link below.
Take me to the Biodiversity page.
Biosecurity is the protection of an environment from unwanted biological threats.
Port Marlborough works closely with Marlborough District Council, NIWA and the Top of the South Biosecurity Partnership, Ministry of Primary Industries and other agencies to optimise marine biosecurity outcomes for the Port, Marinas and wider environment.
To learn more about our biosecurity efforts click on the link below.
Take me to the Biosecurity page
