The Chief Executive Officer of the New Zealand Green Building Council Andrew Eagles, together with Master Builders Chief Executive Officer Ankit Sharma, have welcomed the release of this new guidance, developed to support clear, practical, and consistent environmental management on construction sites across New Zealand.
The EMP Template provides builders and project teams with a robust, adaptable framework to:
- identify and manage environmental risks during construction
- meet regulatory and consent requirements
- demonstrate sound environmental practice to clients, councils, and communities
- support projects pursuing Green Star Buildings NZ, where applicable
“Good environmental management needs to work on real sites, not just on paper,” said the NZGBC Chief Executive Officer Andrew Eagles. “This template brings together sustainability principles and practical delivery, giving the sector a clear and credible way to lift performance.”
The template was developed by NZGBC with strong industry input, led by Southbase Construction, whose experience delivering complex projects helped ensure the guidance is grounded, proportionate, and workable in day‑to‑day construction environments. Master Builders is pleased to endorse the template and support its release to the industry.
“Building businesses are looking for tools that are straightforward, credible, and flexible,” said Ankit Sharma, CEO of Master Builders. “This EMP Template provides an excellent starting point that members can tailor to their projects, while supporting higher environmental standards across the sector.”
The template is intended as guidance rather than prescription, and users are encouraged to adapt it to suit their project scale, site conditions, and contractual requirements.
This publication reflects what can be achieved when industry organisations and leading contractors work together with a shared focus on practical outcomes, continuous improvement, and long‑term environmental responsibility.
Get the New Environmental Management Plan (EMP) Guidance template here