Consumer-owned energy provider Unison Group has published its inaugural Sustainability Report, outlining practical efforts to align its electricity, manufacturing, and consulting businesses under a shared sustainability framework.
The report spans environmental performance, community programmes, and infrastructure resilience. It is titled Our Commitment to a Sustainable Energy Future.
CEO Emphasises Group-Wide Coordination on Sustainability
Chief Executive Jaun Park described the Sustainability Report as a milestone in bringing together diverse parts of the Group.
“This report is an important first step in uniting the work already underway across the Group – from manufacturing and consulting to infrastructure and operations,” he said. “It reflects a clear and collective intention to operate more sustainably, transparently and collaboratively – and to help power a better future for the communities we serve.”
Unison Aligns Business Units Through Shared Sustainability Principles
The new Sustainability Report unites the activities of Unison’s varied business units, including those focused on electricity infrastructure, engineering services, and energy consulting. Originally a regional lines company in Hawke’s Bay, Unison is now owned by the Hawke’s Bay Power Consumers Trust.
The report outlines six principles to support alignment: Balanced approach, Equality for all, Stakeholder engagement, Design for the future, Success-driven evolution, and Ensuring compliance.
Environmental Outcomes Through Measurable Initiatives
A series of data-backed initiatives are featured in the report, including the recovery of 543kg of SF₆ gas by PBA, preventing 12,760 tonnes of CO₂e emissions. ETEL contributed through the regeneration of 120,000 litres of transformer oil. RPS Switchgear recorded a national milestone by delivering the country’s first 36kV Non-SF₆ switchboard.
Unison also partnered with the Maraetōtara Tree Trust to plant 9,200 native trees in Hawke’s Bay.
Unison Supports Communities with Energy Advice and Safety Education
The report outlines Unison’s involvement in household and school-based programmes. A total of 276 EnergyMate visits were delivered to homes across three regions, aimed at lowering energy costs. Separately, 1,385 children participated in the Safe Sparks electricity safety programme.
Aligns with National Decarbonisation Strategy
Electricity makes up nearly 40% of New Zealand’s total greenhouse gas emissions, placing the sector at the centre of national climate targets. Unison is positioning itself to support this transition by focusing on renewable integration, energy efficiency, and system resilience.
“Electricity is central to building a low carbon future,” said Jaclyn Hankin, Group General Manager Strategy and Sustainability. “As a consumer owned organisation we recognise we have a responsibility, and opportunity to shape a sustainable energy future.”
Unison has released a Sustainability Report that sets a coordinated path for its operations going forward. It highlights goals for infrastructure development, electrification, and greater collaboration across subsidiaries.