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Sustainability news, views and insights
   

Agreement on Climate Change, Trade & Sustainability negotiations finish

This week, Aotearoa New Zealand concluded a world first trade deal (known as ACCTS) with Costa Rica, Iceland, and Switzerland, to remove tariffs on hundreds of products that benefit sustainability and the environment. The ACCTS also establishes rules to prevent harmful fossil fuel subsidies and sets guidelines for ecolabelling. Read more in the Beehive press release here.

   

Newest SBC Guide: Nature

Over half of the world’s economic output ($44 trillion of economic value), not to mention many Kiwi businesses, depend on nature and its ecosystems. Nature is also essential for us to keep temperature rises to below 1.5°C on pre-industrial temperatures. In our newest SBC Guide, we look at the 'why' behind nature, how it's related to climate, where businesses should start, and more. 

   

Contact to develop grid-scale battery at New Zealand Steel's Glenbrook site

Contact Energy has contracted Tesla to build a 100-megawatt grid-scale battery at New Zealand Steel's site in Glenbrook. The battery, large enough to meet peak electricity demand over winter for 44,000 homes for over two hours, will store excess renewable energy which would otherwise go to waste, and rapidly discharge it during high demand periods. An exciting collaboration to see between members!

   

WBCSD Business Breakthrough Barometer

SBC members are invited to join a webinar with WBCSD to learn how to engage with the Business Breakthrough Barometer, which will provide insight into the pace of the net zero transition and what is needed to accelerate investment and scale markets. This is an opportunity for SBC members to help shape the content of the barometer. Register for this webinar here.

   

New member: The a2 Milk Company

Welcome to new SBC member the a2 Milk Company, a dairy nutritionals company fuelled by its purpose to pioneer the future of dairy for good. One of the newer stakeholders of AgriZeroNZ, the company is actively working to deliver its sustainability priorities in a way that further develops trusted and transparent relationships with stakeholders. Welcome to the membership!

   

SBC members among TIME's most sustainable companies of 2024

TIME and Statista have named the world's 500 most sustainable companies of 2024, and SBC members (and/or their global parent companies) Fisher & Paykel Healthcare, Brambles (CHEP), Stantec, Fujitsu, WSP and Fujifilm made it into the list. Congratulations to these members, and to any others who are otherwise affiliated with organisations in this year's top 500!

   

Sustainability Leadership Programme in-person workshop takes place 

The 2024 Sustainability Leadership Programme 2-day in-person workshop took place this week in Wellington, and SBC Executive Director Mike Burrell had the pleasure of facilitating a panel discussion on what it means to be a sustainability leader in 2024. Check out some of the photos here, or learn more about the programme for next year here.

   

Officemax introduces recyclable paper straps to replace plastic

OfficeMax NZ is introducing a fully recyclable paper strap to replace the plastic strapping on its copy paper boxes, used to secure the box lid and act as a handle to support weight bearing when carried. The innovative paper strap and has the potential to prevent an enormous amount of plastic strapping (estimated at nearly 2,000 kilometres) going to landfill each year.

       
    In other news
       
    Job opportunities

    Auckland Council (Auckland)
       

    SBC hui

       

    SBC Brilliant Basics - Making the business case for sustainability

    Online | 10 July, 10:00-10:45am NZST

    (Open to SBC members only) Sustainable businesses create value in the short and long term – economically, environmentally and socially. So how do you get your stakeholders on board? In our next Brilliant Basics Spotlight session, we'll be hearing from NZTE and Tonkin + Taylor on the 'why' and the 'how of making the business case for sustainability.

       

    What are SBC's plans for FY2025 - and how can you play a leadership role?

    Online | 18 July, 11:00am-12:00pm NZST

    Join the SBC team, including our programme leads for Climate and Nature, Leadership in Sustainability and Thriving People as we unpack the FY2025 Annual Plan and programme of work around our three strategic pillars. The session will be an opportunity to hear first-hand about our priorities for the year ahead (a big year for sustainability) and how we will be supporting our members to get involved, as well as ask any questions you might have. This event is also open to non-members who are interested in learning more about SBC.

       

    NEW: Input into the second emissions reduction plan

    Online | 19 July, 10:00am-11:00am NZST

    The draft second emissions reduction plan containing the strategies, policies and actions the Government is setting to achieve the second emissions budget (2026 – 2030), will soon be released for consultation. To help members respond to the consultation, the Sustainable Business Council, Climate Leaders Coalition and Business Energy Council will be hosting an initial online session in which MfE experts will present on the content of the draft document, followed by a Q&A. We anticipate this session taking place on 19th July (pending consultation release date).

       

    NEW: Save the Date for SBC's 2024 Annual Council Meeting

    Genesis, 155 Fanshawe Street Auckland | 7 August 4:30-7:30pm NZST

    We invite members to join us at our Annual Council Meeting in Auckland, where we are looking forward to bringing together our Council Members and Liaison Delegates to launch our 2024 Snapshot Report. Come along to enjoy some light refreshments and kōrero with both familiar and new SBC faces. The event will offer an entertaining programme of speakers, covering both SBC's key achievements and priorities, as well as some hot topics in the wider sustainability landscape. Formal programme and invitation to come.

       

    SBTN with Nature Positive and SBC

    Fonterra, 109 Fanshawe Street Auckland | 15 August, 9:00am NZST

    The contributions nature provides to people and businesses and the consequences of its rapid loss is well recognised by governments and economists alike. Over the last five years the Science Based Targets Network has taken a ‘big tent’ approach to developing the Science Based Targets for Nature (SBT4N) framework and guidance to help companies set nature targets appropriate to their value chains and aligned with the global goals. Join SBC and Nature Positive to learn about why and how your company might set global best practice targets for nature!

       

    Transition Planning with SBC and Aurecon

    Aurecon | 110 Carlton Gore Road, Newmarket, Auckland

    31 July (9am-12pm), 14 August (9am-12pm) and 28 August (2pm-4:30pm)


    Aurecon and the Sustainable Business Council are partnering to deliver a three-part workshop series to help businesses get ready for a sustainable, climate-resilient future. This new workshop series aims to provide businesses with the fundamentals of climate transition planning, hands-on experience with tools and processes to get started, and guidance on alignment with the Climate Related Disclosures under the New Zealand Climate Standards (you don’t need to be a mandatory reporter for this to be relevant!). This workshop series is initially open to SBC members and Aurecon clients only.

       

    Climate Change & Business Conference 2024

    Viaduct Events Centre, Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland | 9-10 September 2024

    Registrations are open for the 16th Climate Change & Business Conference, taking place at the Viaduct Events Centre in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland on 9-10 September. Check out our compelling programme line-up of domestic and international speakers and join the kōrero in September by registering below.

       

    Other hui

       

    NEW: Global packaging trends and what they mean for your business

    Online | 11 July, 3:00pm NZST

    Consumers are demanding more sustainable packaging solutions, and an increasing number of national and international environmental regulations are driving changes in global supply chains. Join thinkstep-anz for an industry webinar where their packaging expert Helen Lewis and Lyn Mayes, Project Coordinator of the Plastic Packaging Product Stewardship (PPPS), will delve into these critical changes and their impact on businesses in Australia and New Zealand.

       

    NEW: Festival for the Future 2024

    TSB Arena, Wellington | 17-18 July

    Join current and future leaders from New Zealand’s business, government and community sectors as we explore the big issues of our time, showcase what’s possible, and build ideas and skills for a more inclusive and sustainable future. Festival for the Future 2024 is taking place Wednesday 17th and Thursday 18th July.

       

    Nature & Business Symposium

    AUT, 2 Governor Ftizroy Place, Auckland | 14 August, 9:00am-5:00pm NZST

    Early bird tickets close 10 July. Integrating nature into your work can help prepare for long-term sustainability, reduce risks, enhance your brand reputation and unlock new opportunities for finance, innovation and growth. Join the Symposium on 14 August for practical panel discussions, workshops, one-on-one expert advice and networking. Understand your business's impact and reliance on nature. Learn how to integrate nature into your business and collaborate on regeneration projects. Plus, we’ll be spending time outdoors. Join one of the optional field trips the day before the Symposium and see first-hand how businesses are helping to regenerate nature

       

    NEW: Chapter Zero NZ breakfast and panel discussion - Decarbonising the supply chain

    Viaduct Events Centre, Auckland | 10 September, 6:50-8:45am NZST

    Chapter Zero New Zealand is once again hosting a breakfast event on the second day of the Climate Change & Business Conference, this one focused on decarbonising your supply chain. Come along to hear a panel of speakers (representing different perspectives along the supply chain) discuss how boards can ensure oversight and confidence of supply chain decarbonisation. 

       

    NEW: Deloitte Chief People Officer Vantage Programme EOI

    Wellington (September-November) and Auckland (TBC 2025)

    Expressions of interest are open for the Deloitte CPO Vantage programme, designed for aspiring People and Culture leaders who are 1-3 years from stepping into a CPO or equivalent role. Join a cohort of fellow aspiring leaders to learn what it takes to be an impactful CPO. Topics include Developing People strategy, Executive Influencing, Role of the CPO in Sustainability, and Q+A sessions with industry leaders. Register your interest below.

       

    See all SBC events here. For other low emissions events, see the Climate Leaders Coalition events calendar.

    Please send Pānui stories (50 words plus square image) or event listings (100 words plus banner image) to sbccomms@businessnz.org.nz by Wednesday 12pm. 

    See guidelines around SBC's expectations of member communications and transparency here


    4 July 2024

       

    Manage Preferences

    Level 13, NTT Tower, 157 Lambton Quay, Wellington 6011, New Zealand