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Sustainability news, views and insights
   
   

Transpower outlines 2050 growth scenarios for a net-zero future

Transpower has released five possible scenarios for NZ’s economy and the energy system required to power it. The models show how increasing electrification could shape national-grid requirements to 2050, helping Transpower plan the investments to support a net zero economy. Read more here.
   

How Aucklanders can better prepare for flooding and storms

A recent report commissioned by Auckland Council has found many people are judging flood risk based on memories of past storms, rather than current data. It suggests tools like Flood Viewer and the Auckland Climate Action website can provide clear guidance to prepare for future flooding and storms. Read more here.
   

Planning for resilience: NZ's managed retreat challenges

DLA Piper reports that as of October 2025, around $235 billion in assets across NZ are already exposed to increasing flooding and costal hazards, with risks expected to grow over coming decades. The insights identify “managed retreat” as an emerging strategic tool to reduce long-term climate and financial exposure. Read more here.

   
   

Spot the difference: Climate hazards and risks

In a recent article, the Climate Change Commission clarifies the difference between climate hazards and climate risks, noting that understanding the difference is key for climate resilience. The Commission’s upcoming 2026 national risk assessment aims to guide more proactive planning and upfront investment. Read more here.
   

NZ’s first EV ambulance donated by ASB completes 1st year

NZ's first EV ambulance, donated by ASB Bank, has completed its 1st year on the road. The trial saw the EV respond to over 500 incidents, travel 13,671 km, and recorded an estimated reduction of approx. four tonnes of CO₂ emissions, while matching the reliability of its diesel-powered counterpart. Read more here.
   

Toitū helps businesses turn sustainability into action

Toitū has shared its latest campaign, launched in collaboration with WM New Zealand and Toyota New Zealand, showcasing how meaningful climate action strengthens business performance. Toitū is now inviting clients to get involved and amplify how credible climate leadership can deliver business outcomes. Read more here.
   

Stoke Substation upgrade supports resilience and protects native fish

Transpower has demonstrated it supports local biodiversity whilst looking after the national grid, too. While reinforcing the Stoke substation after damage from floods, teams have worked around fish breeding cycles, safely relocated threatened species and upgraded their habitat. Read more here.
   

Under pressure? In a state? What do New Zealanders really think about their environment?

The Bioeconomy Science Institute has released the 2025 NZ Environmental Perceptions Survey. Amongst findings was that New Zealanders feel the environment is holding “adequate to good” but remain concerned about freshwater, pests, sewage and stormwater pressures. Read here.
   

BMS-IT strengthens technology lifecycle offering through acquisition

BMS-IT has been acquired by e-waste recycler Echo, creating NZ’s largest technology lifecycle solutions provider. The partnership enhances national reach, technical capability, ESG standards and value recovery. For customers, it’s business as usual, with even greater capability. Read more here.
   
In other news
   
   
Job opportunities
   

Auckland Council (Auckland)

Principal Project Manager

Auckland Council (Auckland, Hybrid)

Sustainability and Resilience Advisor

Auckland Council (Auckland)

Environmental Monitoring Officer

Stantec New Zealand (Auckland, hybrid)

Waikato Regional Council (Hamilton Central, Waikato)

   

SBC hui

Beyond climate disclosures: Gearing up for action and progress

Online | 18 March 2026 | 9:30 - 11:00am

The Sustainable Business Council and Climate Leaders Coalition have partnered with Deloitte to help you navigate a path through the voluntary disclosure landscape. The final workshop will look at how to embed nature-related risks and opportunities into transition plans and climate risk registers. Featuring input from WWF International and Deloitte.

   

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.

   

Registrations close 20 March: 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

NEW: Bring proof of circularity into your EPDs

Online | 10 March 2026 | 3:00 – 3:30pm

Circularity claims are only as good as the evidence behind them. By embedding verified Material Circularity Indicators (MCI) into Environmental Product Declarations, companies can move to robust, third-party verified data. Join Andrea Davies (Laminex) and Jim Goddin (thinkstep-anz) for a 30-minute webinar exploring why Laminex integrated MCI into its EPDs, what it means for their products, and how embedding MCI makes a product’s circular story visible and trusted.

   

NEW: Oxygen x Ecoya: Recertifying under the new B Corp Standard

Online | 19 March 2026 | 2:00 – 3:00pm

Oxygen Consulting, a Certified B Corp and a trained B Consultant, is teaming up with Ecoya and B Lab AANZ to host a free webinar this B Corp Month. With the updated B Corp Standard (v2.1) now more comprehensive than ever, the session will break it down into clear, practical steps. Using a real business case study and insights from Ecoya’s recertification journey, the webinar will wrap with a live Q&A to help confidently navigate certification.

   

NEW: B Corp Month: The Purpose-Powered Workplace

Auckland | 24 March 2026 | 5:00 – 7:00pm

As part of B Corp Month, B Local Tāmaki Makaurau is holding a panel discussion on the The Purpose-Powered Workplace and what it really takes to bring teams along the B Corp Journey. The event will explore how organisations help their people understand, connect with and champion B Corp, and what this means for leaders driving engagement, trust and impact.

   

NEW: Business for Good Programme - NZTE

Auckland | 24 March 2026 | 8:00 – 5:00pm

The Business for Good programme supports export companies to build an impactful sustainability strategy. The programme is a one day in-person event followed by 1:1 consultant support to create a tailored action plan. It is suited to export companies wanting to take sustainability action that resonates overseas and B Corp certified exporters looking to certify under the new B Corp standards.

   

NEW: B Corp Month: B Corp Month Better Business Panel

Wellington | 25 March 2026 | 5:30 – 7:30pm

This B Corp Month panel event will explore the shared commitment behind every B Corp: doing business in a way that is better for people, the planet, and the long term. Through honest reflections and practical examples, speakers will discuss how they’ve embedded purpose and accountability into their business models, differentiated themselves in their industries, and used the B Corp framework as a tool for continuous improvement.

   

Kiwis in Climate - Voices for Climate Solutions Book Launch Tour

Multiple locations | 11 March - 9 April 2026 

KiC brings together bold and practical visions for Aotearoa to lead on climate solutions. Leading scientists, politicians, CEOs and citizens demonstrate what we are doing now – and what we must do – to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change. In March 2026, Kiwis in Climate will be launching across Aotearoa with events and a digital campaign, to foster broader climate conversations in an important election year for New Zealand.

   

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.

   

Making Cities Work: A Seminar with Alain Bertaud

Wellington | 18 March 2026 | 5:00 – 7:00pm

A public lecture by Alain Bertaud, a leading voice on how cities function and how good planning can help. Bertaud’s decades-long career includes advising governments and global institutions on urban development, housing and infrastructure, with experience across Asia, Eastern Europe, and Latin America. He is the author of Order Without Design, a landmark book that has helped inform New Zealand’s cross-party approach to more enabling urban policy and planning reform.

   

NEW: Data-driven action: Tetra Pak’s latest LCA and its impact on packaging

Online | 15 April 2026 | 3:00 – 3:30pm

Fast-changing market demands and new regulations mean you need current data to stay ahead. That’s why Tetra Pak have refreshed their comparative Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) in 2025, showing how the carbon footprint of its cartons compares with other major packaging types in Australia and New Zealand. Join Giancarlos LaRocca, (Tetra Pak Oceania) and Jeff Vickers (thinkstep-anz) to discover how Tetra Pak is using its latest LCA to drive innovation, future-proof its customers' business and strengthen their strategy in Oceania.

   

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. 


5 March 2026
   

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