Sustainability news, views and insights | | | |
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Government launches bioenergy strategy | The Government has released Aotearoa NZ’s first Wood Energy Strategy and a Statement on Biogas to cut emissions and boost regional jobs. EECA has released an RFP for $3 million in co-funding for wood energy aggregation projects. Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says bioenergy offers clean, local solutions to reduce fossil fuel reliance and strengthen energy security. Full details here. | | | |
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EU trade rep urges NZ to stay the course on sustainability |
In this recent article from The Post (paywalled), NZTE's Tara Druce says New Zealand must maintain momentum on its sustainability commitments in trade. “It’s not going away,” she states, noting that while the agenda has slowed, global expectations remain high – regulations are “becoming more and more BAU for companies needing to operate globally.”
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Construction begins on major solar farm | Meridian has started building the 130MW Ruakākā Solar Farm in Northland – set to be one of NZ’s largest. The $227 million project will generate enough electricity to power half the region’s homes. It includes 250,000 panels, a battery storage system, and extensive environmental restoration. First generation is expected in late 2026, with full output in early 2027. Details and 3D video here. | | | |
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FMA grants interim relief on climate reporting |
The Financial Markets Authority (FMA) has announced a 'no action' approach for those entities impacted by the Government’s proposed changes to the CRDs regime for the 2025/2026 reporting period. This means the FMA will not take action if impacted entities no longer meeting the reporting threshold choose not to report from 1 November 2025. Read the full details here.
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Silver Fern Farms’ Nature Market Accelerator Initiative | In this new interview SBC’s Charlotte Kootstra chats with Cat Rowe about Silver Fern Farms’ Nature Market Accelerator Initiative, part of MfE’s pilot to test nature credit markets in Aotearoa New Zealand. As part of the discussion Cat explores how this project rewards landowners, connects investors, and supports biodiversity, climate resilience, and sustainable land use through credible, nature-positive outcomes. | | | |
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Why, what, who and how of inner development |
What does it take to accelerate real change for people and planet? Sometimes, it starts from within. Having just returned from Sweden as part of the global Inner Development Goals (IDG) Ambassador Programme, SBC’s Jay Crangle shares her reflections from Ekskäret Island and the IDG Summit in this latest blog. Thanks to Beca and WeAll for their support of Jay’s trip.
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SkyCity takes top Rainbow Excellence Honour | Congratulations to SkyCity Entertainment Group who took out the top spot at the NZ Rainbow Excellence Awards – winning the Pride Pledge Supreme Award. CEO Jason Walbridge says, “Better never stops, and these wins are a reminder of how far we’ve come together. Progress isn’t a finish line, it’s something we work on every day.” Find full details of all the results here. | | | |
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The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) is asking for businesses to join the Global Circularity Protocol for Business (GCP). Launching at COP30, GCP offers a unified framework to drive circular performance. By joining the Front Runner Coalition your businesses can shape global standards, spotlight its commitment, and lead the transition. Get in touch with Jay Crangle for more details.
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Ten years on from the Paris Agreement, John Lang compares and tracks progress between what was expected then and what’s been achieved now. “What we found - and not to be too Panglossian about it - was irrefutable progress. Progress that's still deeply uneven, but now measurable and undeniable. The lesson of the last decade is that policy signals and cooperation matter.” | | | |
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GHG Protocol opens public consultations |
Greenhouse Gas Protocol has opened two public consultations, one focusing on updates to the Scope 2 Guidance (2015), while the other is seeking feedback on consequential accounting methods for estimating avoided emissions from electricity-sector actions. These are the first in a broader effort to update their suite of corporate standards and guidance. Consultation is open for 60 days. More here.
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Freight decarbonisation in action: Introducing the Low Emission Freight Certificate (LEFC) Presented in partnership with EECA, this session introduced SBC’s Low Emission Freight Certificate (LEFC) system – a proposed market-based mechanism designed to help reduce emissions from Aotearoa New Zealand’s heavy freight sector. Watch here. | | | |
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Building a Business Case for Nature Toolkit launch event Auckland & Christchurch | 4 November 2025 | 8:30am
We’re excited to invite you to the launch of the SBC’s Building a Business Case for Nature Toolkit – a practical resource designed to help organisations build a compelling case for investing in nature. Whether your organisation is just beginning to explore nature-related opportunities or already taking steps to integrate nature into your strategy, this toolkit offers step-by-step guidance to help you understand the drivers (the ‘why’) and the approach (the ‘how’) for nature investment. The toolkit includes four documents tailored for practitioners, providing clear and actionable insights to support decision-making and engagement across your organisation. | |
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From pledges to progress: Risks, duties and the disclosure of sustainability targets Online | 18 November 2025 | 12:00pm
As expectations intensify and challenges mount, many organisations are grappling with setting – or resetting – sustainability targets. For boards and executive teams, this raises questions of oversight, accountability, and strategic positioning. Join Daniel Street, Partner at DLA Piper, Judene Edgar, Chapter Zero New Zealand Lead and Nikki Wright, Director at Wright Communications, as they examine these issues and share real-world examples that illustrate what has worked, what has not, and why. Presented in collaboration with the Sustainable Business Council, DLA Piper and Chapter Zero New Zealand, the session is designed for board directors, general counsel, executives, and sustainability leads involved in target setting, climate governance and risk management. | |
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COP30 Debrief & Dialogue: Key Insights from Belém for NZ Business Online | 27 November 2025 | 11:00am
Join SBC and Centre for Sustainable Finance for a special post-COP30 webinar unpacking key insights, reflections, and implications from the global climate negotiations and side events in Belém, Brazil. This session will offer New Zealand businesses a vital opportunity to connect directly into the outcomes of the international conversations and hear from those who have been on the ground in Belém. Don’t miss your opportunity to share in all the climate action and sustainable finance insights, outcomes and updates from the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30). | |
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Sustainability Leadership Programme 2026 - Taster Session Online | 5 February 2026 | 10:00am
The Sustainability Leadership Programme (SLP) is a course delivered by Catapult and SBC designed to empower sustainability leaders to drive transformational change by giving them the connections, tactics and confidence to make a measurable impact. Join us for this free online taster session where you will hear from past participants on how SLP has had a positive impact on not only their leadership within their current role and organisation, but also beyond. | |
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ISEP – Aotearoa Christmas Network Event Online | 13 November 2025 | 4:30pm
Join ISEP New Zealand in partnership with Hays - Recruiting Agency for their Aotearoa's 2025 Christmas Function. Join us for our final social networking event of the year, open to all Sustainability and Environmental professionals. After a year full of challenges and change, this is a perfect opportunity to unwind, connect with like-minded peers, and recharge for the year ahead. Enjoy a relaxed and engaging atmosphere with drinks and nibbles provided while catching up on the latest developments in sustainability – you might discover something new! | |
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Blue and Green Technology Conference 2025 Auckland | 2-3 December 2025 | 8:00am - 7:00pm
This dynamic two-day event brings together innovators, entrepreneurs, researchers, and decision-makers to accelerate clean technology solutions for a climate-resilient future. Whether you’re from government, academia, or industry, this conference offers a powerful platform for knowledge exchange, partnerships, and action. | |
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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 Wednesday 12pm. | | | |
See guidelines around SBC's expectations of member communications and transparency here. | | | |
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