In October 2024 we released our 2024 annual report, which showcased the significant impact our staff have delivered in the research, science and technology development space for the forestry, industrial biotechnology, and advanced manufacturing sectors.

We’re proud of what we’ve achieved, so we’re sharing some of those impact stories on our website over the holiday break – for your reading pleasure.

In 2024, Scion achieved Carbon Conscious business operations certification for its operations between July 1, 2022 and June 30, 2023*.

The certification, awarded by carbon management company Ekos, means the business has committed to measuring its carbon footprint and taken steps towards being carbon zero by understanding its baseline emissions. Scion has been measuring its carbon footprint at a basic level for over a decade, but this is the first time it has been verified by an external third party and been expanded to include a broader range of emissions. Installation of new chillers for our main chiller system at our Rotorua site is almost complete. Replacement of the 30-yearold main chiller system will increase efficiency, saving an estimated 180,000 kWh/yr; and allow the move to a lower GWP (global warming potential) refrigerant. The chiller system upgrade was supported by 40% co-funding through the State Sector Decarbonisation Fund (SSDF). This year we moved our milk supply to a local supplier Volcanic Creamery who provide a milk in refillable containers. This eliminated over 3000 2L plastic milk containers and lids per year at our Rotorua site. Income from recycling metal from broken science equipment and aluminium cans was used to purchase another 285 indigenous trees for restoration work through the Trees that Count programme. This programme provides funds to Trusts around NZ for purchasing and planting out the trees. This brings the total of indigenous trees planted in New Zealand through Scion's involvement in this initiative to 515 trees.

* Our carbon emissions for the 2023-24 year will be reported separately as we are getting our emissions independently verified. The verified report will be made available on our Sustainability page in due course.