With 500 in-person attendees and around 200 online, the 2022 Climate Change and Business Conference was the largest in its 14-year history. Businesses, government entities and citizens alike from across Aotearoa were called to urgent action to reduce our carbon emissions, empower vulnerable communities to tackle climate change, grow the focus on nature, ensure a just transition, and embed business practices and government regulations that make all the above possible.
Thank you to the support of all of our 2022 sponsors, including Foundation sponsors Ministry for the Environment and Westpac, without whom the event would not have been possible.
Scroll down to find the information about and link to the specific session you’d like to watch.
Highlights from the Climate Change and Business Conference
Day 1
- Representatives from Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei
- Kathryn Ryan, Nine to Noon Host, Radio New Zealand
A review of progress in climate change policy responses in Aotearoa New Zealand, Australia and the rest of the world, including an update on important and emerging changes in the science.
- Chair: Kathryn Ryan, Nine to Noon Host, Radio New Zealand
- Speakers: Rt Hon. Jacinda Ardern (Prime Minister of New Zealand), Kay Harrison (Climate Change Ambassador, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade), Associate Professor Malte Meinshausen (University of Melbourne), Christina Hood (Principal, Compass Climate)
Exploring the role of national and local governments in creating a clear pathway to net zero. An update on new policy settings and timelines including implementation of the Emissions Reduction Plan, Climate Adaptation Plan, resource management reform, climate-related disclosures legislation and local government reform.
- Chair: Kathryn Ryan, Nine to Noon Host, Radio New Zealand
- Keynote: Minister Hon James Shaw, Minister for Climate Change
- Panel: Rod Carr (Chairperson, Climate Change Commission), Vicky Robertson (Secretary for the Environment, Ministry for the Environment), Hon Phil Goff (former Mayor of Auckland)
Business leaders will respond to the political context and talk about what they are doing now to achieve 2030 goals in this decade of decisive action.
- Chair: Mike Burrell, Executive Director, Sustainable Business Council
- Keynote: Emmanuel Faber, Chair, International Sustainability Standards Board
- Panel: Amanda Whiting (Chief Executive, IAG NZ), Mike Bennetts (Chief Executive, Z Energy), Malcolm Johns (Chief Executive, Christchurch International Airport Ltd), Grant Kemble (Chief Executive, Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Whai Rawa), Becky Lloyd (Chief Executive, Toitū Envirocare)
This session will explore the opportunities and challenges of collaborative climate action across the public and private sectors, and traditional sector boundaries. It will also debate how we think of competition in the future.
- Chair: Sarah Bogle, Director, Sustainable Value, KPMG
- Panel: Tim Grafton (Chief Executive, Insurance Council of NZ), Ritchie Hutton (Competition Investigations Manager, Commerce Commission), Volker Kuntzsch (Chief Executive, Cawthron Institute)
This session covers the investment that is required to meet emission targets and what New Zealand’s finance sector needs to look like by 2030 to support the transition and adaption required.
- Chair: Michele Embling, Board Member, Toitū Tahua: Centre for Sustainable Finance
- Keynote: Dr Caralee Mcliesh, Chief Executive, Treasury
- Panel: Joanna Silver (Head of Sustainable Finance, Westpac), John Berry (Chief Executive, Pathfinder), Andy Eakin (Chief Financial Officer, Goodman)
We all know that what gets measured gets managed. This session will focus on how transparency and disclosure are critical to achieving a low carbon future and financial stability including an overview and update of the proposed climate-related financial disclosure regime.
- Chair: Simon Watt, Consultant, Bell Gully
- Keynote: Adrian Orr, Governor, Reserve Bank of New Zealand
- Panel: April Mackenzie (Chief Executive, External Reporting Board), Pip Best (Partner, Climate Change and Sustainability Services, Ernst & Young), Tejan Vallabh (Head of Financial Planning & Analysis, Contact Energy)
I’m a young person working on climate solutions. Here’s what I wish business leaders knew. Stuff Climate Editor Eloise Gibson hosts a conversation with a panel of change makers.
- Chair: Eloise Gibson, Climate Change Editor, Stuff
- Speakers: Anahera Nin (Senior Policy & Engagement Advisor, Ngāti Toa), Dewy Sacayan (Co-Chair, Generation Zero Incorporated), Yasmin Tapiheroe (Senior Consultant Environment & Planning, Aurecon)
This session will cover the latest thinking and practical approaches to adapting to a changing climate. It will explore the new National Adaptation Plan, managed retreat proposals and the proposed Climate Adaptation Act. We will also highlight examples of business leadership in this space.
- Chair: Bryce Davies, GM Corporate Relations, IAG
- Panel: Katherine Wilson (Adaptation Director, Ministry for the Environment), Stephen England-Hall (Chief Executive, Wayfare), Jon Lamonte (Chief Executive, Watercare)
Perspectives of the Opposition
- Keynote: Hon. Scott Simpson
Day 2
The Party Conversation on Climate Action
Representatives from each political party discuss their perspective on implementing and financing climate action, with a particular focus on the next five years.
- Chair: Kathryn Ryan, Nine to Noon Host, Radio New Zealand
- Keynote: Hon. Jenny McAllister, Assistant Minister Senator, Parliament of Australia
- Panel: Hon Scott Simpson (Climate Change and Environment spokesperson, National Party), Hon. Julie Anne Genter (Finance spokesperson, Green Party), Rachel Brooking (List Member, Labour Party), Simon Court (Climate Change Spokesperson, ACT Party)
Climate and Our Competitive Advantage
In this session we’ll explore evolving international trade settings, the global marketplace and changing consumer preferences. We’ll focus on ideas attendees can take away about how they can be competitive against that backdrop and stay ahead of curve.
- Chair: Rikki Stancich, Director Sustainability, Deloitte
- Panel: Caroline Lambert (Trade and Economic Advisor, European Delegation), Justine Arroll (GM Trade Strategy, Fonterra), Neeraj Lala (Chief Executive, Toyota), Florence van Dyke (Head of Sustainability, NZTE)
Carbon Markets – Compliance, Voluntary and Investment
An overview of where we are at with the New Zealand ETS, what’s in the pipeline as well as international carbon markets and access. We’ll also look at emerging practice regarding voluntary offsets.
- Chair: Nigel Brunel, Head of Commodities, Jarden
- Speakers: Paul Harrison (Managing Director, Salt Funds), James Larmouth (Trading Manager, Vitol), Belinda van Eyndhoven (Head of Sustainability, Westpac)
Exploring the legal issues associated with climate change, and law as a tool for climate action.
- Chair: Nicola Swan, Partner, Chapman Tripp
- Speakers: Jenny Cooper (Lawyers for Climate Action NZ Inc.), Julia Hoare (Independent Director)
We’ll explore both the actions needed and those already underway to build an interconnected and decarbonised transport system. This session will also touch on the infrastructure required to make it happen, including decarbonising the aviation industry, organising cities to reduce emissions and mass transit barriers and solutions.
- Chair: Amelia Linzey, Chief Planner, Beca
- Panel: Cameron Law (Business Planning Manager, Auckland Light Rail), Jenny Sullivan (Sustainability Manager, Air New Zealand), Emma Fisk (Alliance Programme Director, Beca)
Decarbonising heavy industry and transitioning away from fossil fuels as an energy source is one of key areas identified for substantial emission reductions in the Emission Reduction Plan (ERP). Recent government support (GIDI) to decarbonise industry is an opportunity for the sector to rapidly deliver their share of emission reductions. This session will examine the demand-side drivers and solutions from business leaders, with a focus on overcoming the barriers to decarbonisation.
- Chair: Andrew Caseley, Chief Executive, Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority
- Speakers: Matt Wilson (Managing Director, DB Breweries), Jeff Smit (Director, DETA Consulting), Linda Mulvihill (Head of Energy & Climate, Fonterra)
This is a pivotal time for agriculture. This session reflects our opportunity to take a fresh look at how we use the land and ask critical, systems-oriented questions about our land-based economy.
- Chair: Dana Muir, Head of Natural Capital, Bank of New Zealand
- Speakers: Simon Limmer (Chief Executive, Silver Fern Farms), Tim Mackle (Chief Executive, DairyNZ), Jenny Cameron (Chief Transformation Officer, Ministry for Primary Industries), Maury Leyland (Co-Founder, Leaft Foods, Director, Genesis Energy, Steering Committee Member, Taiao Ora)
A look at innovations and actions on the energy supply side, with a spotlight on successful R&D and pilots. Including an exploration of progress made on low carbon alternatives and policies and incentives required to get us to 2030.
- Chair: Vic Crone, Director, Contact Energy
- Speakers: Marc England (Chief Executive, Genesis Energy), Tina Schirr (Executive Director, Business Energy Council), Andrew Clennett (Chief Executive Hiringa), Chantelle Bramley (General Manager Strategy and Customer, Transpower)
Net zero targets and carbon neutral commitments are the current buzzwords as companies pledge to cut emissions. It’s a task many businesses are falling short on, especially around their supply chain. A fully developed net zero target should include both direct and indirect emissions, including suppliers – known as Scope 3 emissions. This session will look to unearth how our panellists; Fonterra, Zespri International and Nespresso NZ, are tackling the challenge of reducing their supply chain emissions and what lessons have been learned along the way.
- Chair: Becky Lloyd, Chief Executive, Toitū
- Speakers: Carol Ward (Chief Grower Industry & Sustainability, Zespri), Lee Stewart (Head of Corporate Sustainability, Fonterra Co-operative Group Limited), Stefan Vermeulen (Managing Director, Nespresso New Zealand)
How do we take a systems level change approach that has people at its heart? Here we’ll discuss just transition at a national and local level, with examples of how both businesses and local government are leading the transition.
- Chair: Suzanne Watt. Head of Sustainability, Downer
- Panel: Kirk Hope (Chief Executive, BusinessNZ), Louise Aitken (Partner of Circular & Climate Innovation and Sustainability, Toyota), Annie Newman (Assistant National Secretary E Tū)
Business Leadership & Our Ambition Loop
An energising and inspirational session to motivate attendees to accelerate action. We’ll highlight the opportunities for engagement across sectors and between government and business to create a mutually reinforcing circle of climate action (the ambition loop).
- Speakers: Gary Taylor (Chairman & Chief Executive, Environmental Defence Society), Mike Burrell (Executive Director, Sustainable Business Council), Marama Royal (Chair, Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Trust)
