Signing up to tackle city’s biggest source of emissions

31 July 2025

Sealord’s Nelson-based site has joined an initiative to help reduce Nelson’s transport emissions by championing a low carbon commute with our employees. Transport emissions make up 93% of Nelson households’ greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and about 60% of the city’s GHG emissions overall. 

Along with 9 other medium to large businesses in Nelson, Sealord has signed up to the Nelson City Council funded Mission Zero initiative that aims to get more staff choosing low carbon transport to get to work.

Sealord GM Sustainability Stu Yorston says Sealord has already reduced its carbon footprint by nearly 25% in the last five years, a total of 27,000 tonnes of carbon.

“While employee commuting is a small impact for Sealord, it’s a big impact for the region. We want to be involved and continue to reduce our overall environmental impact. The Mission Zero initiative is a great way to tap into local resources to support Sealord to achieve our wider sustainability goals,” he says.

An estimated 16 percent of Sealord’s Nelson-based employees use a low carbon-mode of transport, or work from home. And about 8% bike to work, the results from Sealord’s Employee Commuter Survey in November 2024 showed. Another survey will be carried out later this year to measure behaviour change following various Mission Zero activities to date including signing up to Workride.

Mission Zero and Sealord co-hosted a brainstorm breakfast with Nelson CEOs to share ideas for encouraging low carbon travel with employees
Some of the Sealord people who have signed up to WorkRide
Sealord CEO Doug Paulin “walks the talk” scootering to work most days when he’s in Nelson

Supported by the Government and IRD, Workride offers tax free savings on e-bikes, bikes and scooters, and you don’t need cash up-front as you pay back your ‘ride’ over 12 months through a salary sacrifice. So far, 36 Sealord people have registered with the scheme.

GM Human Resources Dawn Cooper now rides to work a couple of times a week from her home about 12 kms from Sealord’s office at the port in Nelson.

 “Unfortunately, my mountain biking days are over, due to injury. I needed a bike that allows me to sit more upright– it’s been great getting back on a bike.”

Other activities to encourage staff to use low carbon transport include:

  • Promoting public transport options to staff
  • Creating a team of low-carbon commute ambassadors
  • Working with other business and Nelson City Council to investigate the funding a new cycle path at the port
  • Bike to work breakfast event
  • Bus to work month with incentives
  • Launch a car-pooling scheme with allocated car parks
  • Involvement in Mission Zero’s CEO group to demonstrate ‘walking the talk’ internally.