Leadership in Sustainability
Supporting members to be ambitious on sustainability and encouraging other businesses to go further.
Our vision
We inspire businesses to lead by creating a community of positive change, supporting members to go further, and celebrating their leadership and success. We are a catalyst for change, supporting members to align strategy with shared value creation for society. Our members lift the level of ambition for sustainable business practice in New Zealand and inspire more businesses to take action.
Our work is underpinned by member commitments, which set out minimum levels of sustainability activity required to be part of SBC. We also review our members’ sustainability performance and reporting to ensure they are taking action. We provide a range of leadership and professional capability-building opportunities to develop sustainability professionals and other professions and leaders that are required to integrate sustainability across organisations (such as Directors, CEOs, CFOs, and sustainability professionals.)
As New Zealand’s partner to the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), we showcase member leadership on sustainability on the international stage, as well as highlight global trends and best practice for our members to learn from.
Upholding the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi is an integral part of being a New Zealand business. We recognise we have much to learn from Māori knowledge, mātauranga, and a holistic approach to the guardianship of people and nature. We also have the opportunity to work in partnership with Māori and iwi business.
Work programme
CFO Climate & Sustainability Programme
Training CFOs to lead the charge on climate action and sustainability. Learn more here.
Sustainability Leadership Programme
Australasia’s most comprehensive sustainability leadership course. Learn more here.
Reviewing member performance
Setting member commitments and monitoring member sustainability performance and reporting.
WBCSD representation
Representing members on the World Business Council for Sustainable Development. Learn more here.
Member collaborations
Collaborating on key challenges to achieve maximum impact. Learn more here.
Better Futures Report
Providing insights into consumer perspectives on sustainability. Read the latest report here.
Previous areas of work
- Consumer decision-making
- Good governance and reporting
- Sustainable Development Goals
- Future Leaders Programme
He aha te kai ō te rangatira? He Kōrero, he kōrero, he kōrero.
What is the food of the leader? It is knowledge. It is communication.
Outcomes
- SBC members are all pursuing and meeting their member commitments by their deadlines, demonstrating their commitment to minimum standards.
- SBC members have sustainability strategies in place and are reporting on their progress, demonstrating their leadership in sustainability.
- Sustainability talent is being grown and developed in New Zealand, so SBC members are able to access the people they need to drive their sustainability commitments.
- SBC communicates the success of its members to inspire other businesses to take meaningful sustainability action.
Jay Crangle champions businesses to be at the forefront of environmental and social sustainability by bringing them together to deliver results that no single company could achieve alone.
Pages and resources

SBC welcomes significant announcement to reduce emissions

Better Futures 2023 Report

Cost of living #1 concern for Kiwis – concern about climate remains stable but commitment to living sustainably drops

2023 Insights on New Zealand Sustainability Professionals survey launches

Sustainability Leadership Programme Taster

2022 CFO Sustainability Snapshot Survey

CFO Sustainability Snapshot Survey shows the need for collaboration to drive
greater action

Annual Snapshot 2022

SBC welcomes six new business leaders to its Advisory Board

Sustainability Leadership Programme: Thoughts from Megan Gallagher

Sustainability Leadership Programme
