Studio Pacific Architecture - 47% reduction in operational emissions

Organisation overview

Studio Pacific Architecture is a cross-disciplinary practice delivering award-winning architecture, urban design, landscape, and interior projects across Aotearoa New Zealand. They are driven by a commitment to strengthen communities through design that supports a low-carbon future. Sustainability is embedded in how they operate as a business, with clear targets in place to measure and reduce both operational and project-related greenhouse gas emissions in line with national net-zero 2050 goals.

At a glance:

• Partnered with Toitū in 2017
• 47% reduction in operational emissions as of 2025 F/Y
• 70% reduction in domestic flights

Understanding their business emissions profile

Before partnering with Toitū, Studio Pacific was committed to reducing their business-related emissions but had no clear understanding of their baseline or overall emissions profile. Being based primarily in Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington, but with projects across Aotearoa, travel has always been a significant part of their work, with air travel, vehicle travel, and electricity use identified early on as likely largest emissions sources.

While sustainability was already central to their design thinking, they recognised that their office operations and ways of working required the same level of scrutiny. Without robust data or third-party assurance, it was difficult to set credible targets, demonstrate progress, or respond confidently to increasing client and regulatory expectations.

Choosing a partner

With no prior experience in formal emissions measurement, Studio Pacific chose Toitū as a partner for its depth of expertise, credibility, and alignment with international best practice. Toitū’s guidance gave them confidence in the accuracy of their data, supported informed decision-making, and the tools to set and achieve ambitious reduction targets.

Taking action

Working closely with Toitū, Studio Pacific identified their most significant emissions sources and established consistent methods for measurement and reporting across the practice. During their base year, they set clear and achievable reduction targets, including a 15 percent reduction over their first three-year reporting period.

Air travel quickly emerged as their largest emissions source. In response, they introduced a flight register and a project-based travel calculator, with monthly reporting shared across the studio to build awareness and accountability. As their capability matured, Toitū has supported Studio Pacific to expand the range of emissions sources they measure, using Toitū’s Significance Screening Tool to capture a more complete picture of their footprint, including office energy use, equipment, printing, stationery, and food and drink purchases.

The impact: 47% reduction in emissions

Since partnering with Toitū in 2017, Studio Pacific have reduced their emissions by 47 percent as of the 2025 financial year, significantly exceeding initial and increased targets of 15 percent and 30 percent. One of the most tangible outcomes has been a 70 percent reduction in domestic flights, driven by fundamental changes in how they operate as a business.

Key to this shift was the decision to establish a studio in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, allowing the organisation to service local projects with less reliance on travel from their Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington office. Sustainability considerations, particularly the environmental impact of air travel, were a key driver in this strategic move.

Beyond their own practice, Studio Pacific have shared learnings with other architectural and engineering firms to support their carbon reduction journeys. Net Carbon Zero certification with Toitū has strengthened the business’ credibility and competitive position, particularly with government and public sector clients where verified sustainability performance is increasingly expected.

What's next

Looking ahead, Studio Pacific’s long-term goal is to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 across both business operations and project work, in line with the New Zealand Carbon Zero Act. They will continue partnering with Toitū to set progressively more ambitious reduction targets, expanding the scope of reporting as interim goals are met.

Beyond office operations, they are focused on reducing both embodied and operational emissions across their projects, with an approach aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Sustainability will remain embedded across their practice, supporting continuous improvement and reinforcing their commitment to low‑carbon, responsible design.

“As longstanding advocates for low embodied carbon and low operational carbon in the built projects resulting from our design work, it is hugely important that our business demonstrably exhibits its own ability to manage and lower its carbon use. Toitū has made a measurable difference to Studio Pacific’s carbon footprint”

Evžen Novák, Founder and Sustainability Lead, Studio Pacific Architecture.