Tourism

Crowne Plaza Christchurch's utility spend is a significant overhead. The driver behind an energy review was a desire to reduce utility costs - without compromising guests' comfort.

An energy audit uncovered ways to cut consumption and also kick-started a change in thinking. "It became part of our everyday business," explains chief engineer Chris Stevens.

The hotel's annual electricity bill is $100,000 less now than in 2006 - a 14% saving. It also achieved a peak annual saving of 14% in potable water and trade waste, and 12% in LPG consumption.

At Kopua Holiday Park in Raglan they can't always guarantee that the surf is up, but they can offer the sun on tap. That's because they've installed a large scale solar water heating system on their main kitchen and ablution block that delivers plenty of hot water when it's needed.

An Auckland vehicle hire firm saw a business advantage in switching to biodiesel, believing it would boost its overall appeal and attract customers keen to do their bit for the environment.

Soaring fuel prices saw this Auckland freight forwarding company investigate other options – and found that biodiesel was a perfect fit, both with the company’s strategic direction and the owners’ personal ideals.