Faces of the CRL - Carolyn Cox

Delivering the country’s largest infrastructure project takes some seriously talented people, so in this section “Faces of the CRL” we talk to some of City Rail Link’s best and brightest. This month we turn the spotlight on Carolyn Cox, our Sustainability Manager, who brings an abundance of experience and knowledge to her role, helping CRL Ltd to achieve sustainability excellence.

Name: Carolyn Cox

Suburb: Mt Albert

How long have you been working on the City Rail Link?

I started this contract in July 2021 – just before we entered lockdown. I’ve worked on several other contracts on this project prior to this – so it’s great to be back as work on the tunnels and stations really ramps up.

What is your role and what does your average day look like?

I’m the Sustainability Manager at CRL Ltd. Like most Aucklanders, due to Covid-19 a lot of my time is spent online, having meetings with key members of our Sustainability, Social Outcomes and Communications teams – or completing reports, articles and audits related to the project.

Ensuring we are on track to meet our sustainability commitments across our five key focus areas – reducing resource consumption, targeting zero waste, social outcomes, Mana Whenua outcomes and the governance and reporting that goes alongside this.

What has been one of your favourite moments while working on the CRL?

Being able to climb down into the tunnels and feel like you are getting a magical glimpse into something very special being created. This project is really history in the making for Tāmaki Makaurau. I look forward to being an old lady boring my grandchildren with tales about how I got to work on this project!

Liz, Ed, Sarah, Berenize, Nick and the teams on each contract are doing a great job creating and taking CRL Ltd’s sustainability goals and putting them into action. I really enjoy seeing how committed everyone onsite is to our sustainability goals - from our labourers through to the Superintendents – things like minimising waste and maximising the number of materials we reuse have become second nature.  

Not only will the CRL reduce our transport emissions, but everyone is working really hard to ensure the construction works and the operation of the CRL and its stations has the lightest footprint possible.

Seeing Mana Whenua shaping the designs of the stations and the precincts around them and our Social Outcomes team ensuring we have a more diverse supply chain and workforce has been really rewarding.

Tell us more about some of the roles you’ve worked on in the past.

I’ve had my own business, Green Business HQ, for six years now. As a sustainability consultant I get to work with many businesses, big and small, helping them on their journey to become more sustainable. I recently completed a Climate Action Plan for the Waiheke local board and a sustainable business programme for seven tourism businesses in the Coromandel.

Over the years I’ve provided sustainability advice to over 100 businesses from Mitre 10 New Zealand to Unity Books, Kings Plant Barn, Marley New Zealand, and The Blues. I still get a kick every time I see the positive changes these businesses and communities are making. If anyone from the Blues is reading this - I hope you are still composting!

When you’re not working on the largest transport infrastructure project in NZ, how do you like to spend your time?

When I’m not working on other sustainability projects, you’ll find me reading, biking, gardening, spending time with my teenage boys – and taking part in the occasional Climate Change march.

What are you most excited for when the CRL is complete?

I live 5 minutes from the Baldwin Avenue train station, so my whole family is really excited about being able to go straight up to Karangahape Road and Aotea in the weekends!