Sustainability news, views and insights | | | |
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EECA unlocking farm cost savings through solar initiative | EECA is leading the delivery of the Government’s new Solar on Farms initiative, supporting farmers to install solar and battery systems to increase resilience and reduce energy costs. The initiative provides farmers with practical support, independent advice and data to determine if solar and battery systems are right for them. Read more here. | | | |
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ASB offers farmers interest-free loans for solar installations |
ASB is also offering a new SMART Solar Loan for farmers - a 5-year interest-free loan on up to 150k for solar and battery systems, helping them save money, improve energy security and cut emissions. With rising electricity costs, a recent survey shows 70% of farmers are interested in installing solar. Read more here. | | | |
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Government backs voluntary nature credits | The Government announced it's support for the expansion of a voluntary nature credits market by running pilot projects across the country. Establishing a durable market that is measurable and transparent will help farmers, landowners, iwi, and conservation groups unlock income streams for looking after nature on their land. Read more here. | | | |
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Genesis kicks off battery construction at Huntly Power Station |
Construction of a 100MW grid scale battery at Hunty Power Station kicked off last week. The battery will have a storage capacity of 200 MWh, enough to power around 60,000 average households for two hours during winter and will provide security to the grid during peak times. Read more here. | | | |
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CCBC Speaker announcements | We’re delighted to announce our international keynote speakers for CCBC25; Hon. Ralph Regenvanu, Vanuatu’s Minister for Climate Change Adaptation, Professor Elizabeth Robinson, Acting Dean of London School of Economics Global School of Sustainability, and Lord Adair Turner, Chair of the Energy Transitions Commission. Find more details on their sessions here and secure your early bird tickets here. | | | |
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Auckland Transport test drives electric ferry |
CLC Signatory Auckland Transport's first EVM200 electric ferry took its first dip, marking a huge milestone forward in clean, efficient public transport. The carbon-fibre composite ferries can take up to 200 passengers and will operate between downtown Auckland and Half Moon Bay. Testing and crew training is still underway before they are officially launched. Read more here. | | | |
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Call for Sustainability research participants | Curious about how sustainability reporting affects business performance in New Zealand? Research being conducted out of SIT is exploring how firms align reporting transparency with corporate success. Early insights reveal powerful trends shaping the future of reporting. Interested in sharing your experience towards a "Net Zero" mission? Contact Kalana Weerasena or read more here. | | | |
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Inner Development Goals (IDG) workshop |
We had a fantastic turnout for our latest IDG workshop with Cultivating Leadership last week. Focus areas were activating systemic change by developing the inner capabilities leaders need to respond to complexity, navigate uncertainty and lead with purpose. A huge thanks to Beca for hosting us and to our engaging speaking lineup. | | | |
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Toitū Envirocare (Auckland) Auditor
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SBC nature regeneration and climate collaboration update Online | 18 June 2025 | 10:30am - 11:30am Following our recent work with Sapere to explore the drivers for biodiversity and/or carbon sequestration credits, join SBC CEO Mike Burrell and Sapere Economist Corina Comendant for an update on SBC's nature regeneration and climate collaboration exploratory work. The findings, which will be shared as part of this session, follow engagement with SBC members, the Ministry for the Environment, Department of Conservation, Toitū Tahua: Centre for Sustainable Finance, and other key stakeholders. | |
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Insights on Aotearoa New Zealand Sustainability Professionals - launch of findings 2025 Online | 26 June 2025 | 12:00pm - 1:00pm Oxygen Consulting, together with the Sustainable Business Network (SBN), Sustainable Business Council (SBC) and Auckland University of Technology (AUT), are launching the results of the sixth year of research into the role of the sustainability professional in New Zealand, including its challenges and opportunities. | |
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Collaborative Advantage Masterclass Series Auckland | 22 July, 31 July, 7 August 2025 | 2:00pm - 3:30pm
SBC has partnered with Deloitte to co-deliver the Collaborative Advantage programme. Registrations are now open for the Collaborative Advantage Masterclass Series on addressing modern slavery taking place online. This series provides clear, practical guidance on assessing risks, strengthening policies, and improving disclosures using the Walk Free Modern Slavery Benchmarking Tool. | |
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Climate Change & Business Conference Auckland & online | 8 - 9 September 2025
The CCBC 2025 programme is now live. This year’s conference focusses on the key theme of: Ambition. Accountability. Action. The programme reflects the critical role of business in securing our ambitions for the future and explores the most effective climate interventions business leaders are taking at speed and scale. Early bird registrations close on 30 June, so don’t miss your opportunity to be part of this important conversation. | |
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Survival Guide for ESG Managers: Practical Strategies for Resilience Auckland | 13 June 2025 | 9:00am - 11:00am If you’re an ESG or sustainability manager, you might be feeling the weight right now. With environmental initiatives being rolled back, shrinking budgets, and growing disinterest from leadership, it can feel like you’re shouting into the void. But this is exactly when resilience matters most. Join Eco Choice Aotearoa fireside chat with Shamubeel Eaqub, Laura Gemmell and Paul Evans, conversation will be about how you can maintain momentum and influence decision-makers in your organisation, even when external support wanes. You can expect plenty of insights, dry humour and connections made. | |
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Environmental management for real business impact Online | 17 June 2025 | 10:00am - 11:00am Join Toitū Envirocare and Epicurean Dairy (aka The Collective) to discover how Environmental Management Systems (EMS) can drive efficiency, reduce risk, and build credibility. This introductory webinar will explore how EMS is applied across industries and provide insights to help you implement or improve systems that deliver real business value. | |
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Sustainability in an uncertain world Online | 17 June 2025 | 2:00pm - 2:45pm DLA Piper invites you to an exclusive webinar exploring the sustainability landscape amid political and economic uncertainty across the globe. From the United States’ changing approach to sustainability to the European Union’s Omnibus simplification package, businesses are encouraged to monitor worldwide developments – and prepare for what’s ahead. Senior leaders from DLA Piper’s global team will explore how businesses can respond to regulatory changes and monitor their impact on international commitments, particularly ahead of a pivotal COP summit in November 2025. | |
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Chapter Zero NZ | Aligning strategy with shifting societal expectations Online | 26 June 2025 | 1:00pm - 2:00pm Join us to discover key insights from the Better Futures 2025 report. The Better Futures 2025 report highlights a growing expectation among New Zealanders for businesses to lead with integrity and impact on both environmental and social issues. While concern for environmental sustainability remains high, there has been a marked rise in the importance of social issues such as mental health, equity, and fairness. Free for IoD Members and Chapter Zero NZ supporters. | |
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Creating a sustainability roadmap for the hospitality industry Online | 26 June 2025 | 1:00pm - 2:00pm Join thinkstep-anz to discover key insights from the Better Futures 2025 report. The Better Futures 2025 report highlights a growing expectation among New Zealanders for businesses to lead with integrity and impact on both environmental and social issues. While concern for environmental sustainability remains high, there has been a marked rise in the importance of social issues such as mental health, equity, and fairness. Free for IoD Members and Chapter Zero NZ supporters. | |
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Please send Pānui stories (50 words plus square image) or event listings (100 words plus banner image) to sbccomms@businessnz.org.nz by Tuesday 12pm. | | | |
See guidelines around SBC's expectations of member communications and transparency here. | | | |
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