Print Icon
 
Sustainability news, views and insights
   
   

SBC’s CEO update

As things pick up for 2026, SBC’s CEO Mike Burrell gives his first update for the year detailing the key work underway, including our new flagship report Driving Sustainable Growth: Opportunities for New Zealand’s Economy. Mike also highlights a focus on the social sustainability work programme and extends thanks to SBC members for continued inspiration.
   

Help shape the 2026 Business Breakthrough Barometer

WBCSD is inviting business leaders to take part in the survey informing the Business Breakthrough Barometer, a global pulse-check on how companies are navigating climate risk, policy change, and the pace of the global climate transition. It will be launched at London Climate Action Week in June. Access the survey by 30 March.
   

Welcome Alex White

SBC is delighted to welcome Alex White as our new Director of Policy and Advocacy. Alex joins us from MfE, where she served as Principal Advisor on key climate policy initiatives. She was previously the policy lead at a UK business membership organisation and brings expertise in decarbonisation, adaptation and green finance.

   
   

Climate, Sustainability & ESG: Top picks for 2026

Chapman Tripp’s recent article highlights the key climate, sustainability and ESG trends set to shape 2026. The piece covers emerging priorities for NZ businesses, including energy security, shifts in climate-related disclosures, the role of the ETS, and the recent announcement of modern slavery legislation. Read more here.
   

EECA launches first demonstration farms involved in Solar on Farms programme

EECA has announced the first 32 demonstration farms taking part in its Solar on Farms programme. The initiative aims to showcase how solar and batteries perform across key sectors in NZ. Early modelling suggests installing larger systems already used on some farms could help reduce costs. Read more here. 
   

Contact Energy furthers focus on renewables

Contact Energy has released its 2026 Financial Half Year results, highlighting 97% of the energy they’ve generated for New Zealanders has been renewable. Contact also announced plans to raise $525 million to accelerate investment in new battery, solar and geothermal developments. Read more here.
   

NZGBC releases new LNG report

CLC signatory New Zealand Green Building Council (NZGBC) has released new analysis highlighting how LNG imports could lock New Zealanders into high energy bills. The report suggests distributed renewable energy offers a more cost-effective alternative, identifying rooftop solar and hot water heat pumps as solutions to save household billions. Read more here.
   

The SPR survey deadline is approaching!

The deadline to complete this year’s Sustainability Professionals Survey is fast approaching. As an increasing number of roles within organisations become critical drivers of sustainability progress, the survey seeks to gather insights from all professionals contributing to this work. Complete the survey.
   
In other news
   
   
Job opportunities
   

Ravensdown Ltd (Multiple locations)

Farm Enviornmental Consultant (2 roles)

Stantec New Zealand (Auckland, Hybrid)

Practice Lead - Water Treatment

Toitu Envirocare (Multiple locations)

Programme Lead (3 roles)

Westpac New Zealand (Auckland, Hybrid)

Sustainability and Operations Manager

   

SBC hui

REGISTRATIONS CLOSING SOON: Beyond climate disclosures: Gearing up for action and progress

Online | 25 February - 18 March 2026 

The Sustainable Business Council and Climate Leaders Coalition have partnered with Deloitte to help you navigate a path through the voluntary disclosure landscape. The workshop will provide a practical comparison of NZCS1, ASRS S1/S2, and IFRS S1/S2, highlighting the key decision points to help determine the framework that best fits your organisation. The workshop will unpack the standards and feature commentary from Deloitte, and from current reporters on their adopted standards, and their experiences.

   

Save the Date: Better Futures Report Launch Event

   Auckland | 26 March 2026 | 4:00 - 6:00pm 

The Sustainable Business Council has partnered with Kantar to deliver the 2026 Better Futures report. The report provides businesses across Aotearoa New Zealand with the essential consumer insights on sustainability, highlighting the social and environmental issues that matter the most to people living in New Zealand.

   

EARLY BIRD REGISTRATIONS CLOSING SOON Sustainability Leadership Programme 2026

   Hybrid Course | March - July 2026 

Being equipped with Sustainability Leadership skills is one of the key levers that allows organisations to accelerate their sustainability progress. Grow your confidence, networks and ability to make an impact through the 2026 Sustainability Leadership Programme, a partnership between Catapult and SBC designed to help you develop the leadership skills needed to help embed sustainability at the heart of your business.

   

Other hui

Electrify your business – SME cost-saving webinar

Online | 24 February 2026 | 1:00 – 2:00pm

Electrify your SME to make it more efficient and competitive. Our practical webinar brings together experts across energy, finance and property. They will tackle the barriers SMEs face when electrifying their business, including upfront costs, landlord constraints and infrastructure readiness. You’ll learn where electrification makes sense, what support is available and how New Zealand businesses are already moving forward.

   

Masterclass: How to steer clear of greenwashing

Online | 5 March 2026 | 1:00 – 2:30pm

Can your sustainability claims stand up to scrutiny? With regulators, investors and consumers in New Zealand and Australia paying closer attention, credible communication matters more than ever. Join this 90-minute online masterclass to understand greenwashing and greenhushing, navigate the rules around environmental claims and learn how to communicate progress clearly, accurately and with confidence.

   

NEW: ISEP Sustainability & Environmental Networking Event

Online | 12 March 2026 | 5:00 – 6:00pm

Join ISEP for an engaging online experience designed for professionals, advocates, and anyone driven to create positive environmental change. Discover emerging trends, exchange real-world insights, and take part in meaningful discussions that inspire action. Whether you’re an industry expert or just starting your sustainability journey, this event offers the perfect opportunity to broaden your knowledge and grow your network within a vibrant, purpose-driven community.

   

Beyond the election: A new mandate for our environment

Auckland | 24 - 25 June 2026

Beyond the election focuses on the next term of government. Held at a critical time, just over 4 months out from our General Election, the conference will review key environmental challenges facing Aotearoa and the adequacy of responses from all political parties. We will critique the workability of recent reforms and propose solutions to amend or replace bad law that risks harm to our natural world. The conference will also seek to identify common ground across the political divide - where shared purpose can drive enduring environmental outcomes.

   

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. 


19 February 2026
   

Manage Preferences

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