Forsyth Barr recognises Summerset’s sustainability work

We’re proud to have been recognised by Forsyth Barr in their latest Carbon and ESG Ratings Report for NZX-listed companies.

Summerset was in the top 12 companies and the number one retirement village operator. Getting an A- as our grade puts us in the “leaders” category, which we are humbled by.

We know there is still a lot for us to do in the coming years, but it is really pleasing to be recognised for where we’ve got to so far.

Summerset’s sustainability journey

We started measuring, managing and reporting on our carbon footprint in 2017 (our base year) and we have successfully been reducing our emissions intensity per square metre since.  We are forecasting to achieve a 17% reduction in emissions intensity to the end of 2022 against our original 5% target.

We were the first Net Carbon Zero retirement village operator in New Zealand. Toitū Envirocare began independently auditing company emissions to the ISO14064-1 standard in 2018, and we’ve been increasing our commitment ever since. 

In the last five years we have significantly reduced our construction waste, became the first retirement village operator to get sustainability linked lending, introduced a science-aligned target, joined the Climate Leaders Coalition, and changed many practices across our business from fertiliser use to travel. 

Our social sustainability efforts touch several groups including our residents, staff, community, and suppliers. We strive and achieve high resident and care satisfaction, we are proudly accredited as a dementia friendly organisation, we partner with more than 160 community organisations, and are implementing strategies to support the wellbeing of our staff and make our diverse workplaces more inclusive.

Since we both build and operate our villages we work with many suppliers. Our supplier code of conduct and modern slavery statements work to provide guidance for them as they navigate their own sustainability journeys.

Going forward

Sustainability has become an embedded part of the business and how we operate now. We’re constantly reviewing our practices to ensure they’re as sustainable as possible and looking at how we can continue to do better. We are nearly at the end of our first five-year carbon emissions reduction target and next year we’ll set another ambitious short-term target to continue to challenge ourselves to do better.

For more information check out our ESG reporting page.