New Zealand Celsias

Gull’s sustainability manager Karl Mischewski has been in the sustainability game for some time now. He previously worked as environmental manger for Vodafone for four years (which included a year on secondment in the UK). Prior to that he worked as environment manager for AFFCO New Zealand and Anchor Products (now Fonterra). Mischewski expands on the “S” word and tells us why we need to adapt or die.

Tell us a little more about yourself...

I live on Waiheke Island - where else would a Sustainability person live! Coming home each day on the ferry is like arriving at your holiday home. My partner Amanda and I are trying to build a house (sustainably of course) but that also includes financial sustainability and I have to accept some compromises and cannot do everything I would ideally want to do. 

 I was born and bred in the Waikato and my claim to fame is being the front end of Mooloo the cow – the Waikato rugby team mascot back in the early 90’s.  

What's the best part about practicing sustainability at work?

Working for a company and directors that are truly passionate about sustainability – that makes all the difference.  Also seeing sustainable changes being implemented and improving business performance i.e., the bottom line.  In other words it is not just a gimmick, it is real ‘business’ in terms of reducing impact, improving our brand and saving money.  

And the worst?

Just like building my house above i.e., you cannot do it all at once and it takes time.

What's the strongest motivation to invest in sustainability in your workplace?

Natural Selection and Survival of the Fittest. Those that don’t change and adapt will die.

As strange as it may sound coming from a petroleum company – at Gull we understand that fossil fuel is unsustainable. We have no vested interest in upstream exploration.  In fact we would prefer to provide 100% sustainable biofuels to our customers and that is why Gull has invested in and believes in sustainable biofuels.  I just wish more consumers would vote with their dollars and choose Gull biofuel blends over the other others 100% fossil fuel? It is a case of chicken and egg the more you support us the more we can do!

Dear John Key, can you please...

Remember that I voted for you, and tell me it is not true that the “S” word (Sustainability) has been banned in the halls of Parliament?  

If I didn't need to work I'd be…

A house-husband, fishing and chairing the ‘Karl Mischewski Foundation’.  

My dirty eco-sin is that I...

Used to travel Business Class to Perth quite regularly. Chewing through 3.17 tonnes of CO2 per trip.  I think I probably had the worst carbon footprint in the business – shame. That said at least I supported our local airline Air New Zealand – who’s goal is to be the world’s most environmentally sustainable airline. Replacing that old 767 that goes to Perth would be a good start Rob!

My pearl of wisdom to pioneers in the sustainability space is...

"JFDI - Just F*&^%*G Do It!"  Or  "It won’t happen overnight but it will happen."

In ten years’ time I want to be...

Retired – Yeah right.  How about managing director of an ultra successful green/clean tech company.

Further reading

Biodiesel goes public