Fonterra's energy and climate decision maker joins Recovery Trust board

The Trust for the Destruction of Synthetic Refrigerants has welcomed Fonterra Head of Energy and Climate, Linda Mulvihill to its board of trustees.

The dairy Co-operative is a major stakeholder in environmental outcomes for synthetic refrigerant gases, due to the scale of refrigeration required in its business. Linda’s appointment brings an added depth of knowledge and industry experience to the board, says Trust Chair Richard Lauder.

“My fellow Trustees and I are very pleased Linda has agreed to join us. She offers a diversity of skills and a wider understanding of the environment and climate that will add significant value to the Trust’s governance and to the ultimate achievement of our goal to eliminate the environmental harm from synthetic refrigerant gases in New Zealand,” he says.

The Trust has run a voluntary product stewardship scheme managing synthetic refrigerant gases since 1993. It has applied to the Ministry for the Environment for accreditation of a product stewardship scheme for a priority product that will deal with them.

In her role at Fonterra Linda is responsible for leading the strategy and programme of work to improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions across manufacturing sites, while also ensuring that the company has an economic and secure supply of energy.

She has a legal and science background, and in 2016 won the New Zealand Energy Excellence Award for the Young Energy Professional of the Year.

“I’m excited about the opportunity to apply my sustainability and commercial knowledge and expertise towards the objectives for the Trust,” Linda says. “The activities and vision of the Trust align with my desire to address climate change through meaningful, demonstrable actions which have a positive impact for both New Zealand and Papatūānuku.”

Linda grew up on a sheep and beef farm in rural New Zealand, which she says embedded a passion for looking after the planet that stays with her today.  Outside of work, she has two young children and a farm where their focus is on creating a great product, minimising the environmental impact of beef production, and leaving the land in a better state for future generations to enjoy.