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News, views and upcoming events

COP27 kicks off in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt

COP27 began earlier this week with a number of sobering and thought-provoking opening addresses from world leaders. Already we've seen some significant updates come out of the sessions and negotiations, including New Zealand's pledge to give $20m to developing countries affected by climate change. A number of organisations have also released reports and how-to guides around net-zero pledges, transitions and acceleration that will undoubtedly be of value to businesses. Click below to read the full download of the past few days, read updates from our members on the ground, and find out how you can connect with the action from home, too.

   
   

Experts appointed to guide Māori-led climate action

Climate Change Minister James Shaw has just announced a new Interim Ministerial Advisory Committee to develop a framework for Te Ao Māori responses to the climate crisis, designed to ensure whānau, hapū and iwi are at the forefront of the Government’s work to respond to climate change. Read the Beehive press release here.

   

Air New Zealand look towards zero emissions aircraft

This week, Air New Zealand announced a new accelerator programme to bring zero emissions aircraft to Aotearoa, with the aim of flying its first commercial demonstrator flight from 2026. CEO Greg Foran says, "We know these goals are ambitious, but ambition is exactly what is required to make this new technology a reality."

   

Mike's kōrero on NZ Herald's 'Rebuilding Better' series

Mike Burrell was invited to be a panellist in the Herald's new series, “The New New Zealand: Rebuilding Better’, which looks at how we can lay a pathway for a better New Zealand off the back of the COVID-19 pandemic. He shared some fantastic insights with the panel, and you can watch the full video here on the Herald's website.

   

Waka Kotahi partner with thinkstep-anz on new calculator

Waka Kotahi commissioned thinkstep-anz to investigate different options for road pavement designs, including the use of recycled materials. The end result was a calculator that considers these options over their full lifecycle, allowing the design of environmentally conscious pavements. Read more about the project and its impact here

   

2022 CFO Climate & Sustainability Programme kicks off

We launched our fifth CFO Climate and Sustainability Leadership Programme in partnership with Deloitte yesterday. Mike Burrell and Mike LeRoy Dyson set out a powerful context by sharing insights and outlining the case for change, the urgency for turning aspiration into action, examples of business leadership, followed by a sustainability 101. 

   

In other news

Job opportunities

   

The Warehouse Group (Auckland)

Sustainability Partner

Contact Energy

Sustainability & Community Manager (Auckland)

Tangata Whenua Specialist (Clyde, Otago)

Tower (Auckland)

Sustainability Manager

4Sight - Part of SLR (Auckland)

Environmental Management Consultant

EECA (Auckland, Wellington or Christchurch)

Transport Business Development Manager

Waikato Regional Council (Hamilton)

Biodiversity Officer

Fonterra (Hamilton)

Sustainable Dairying Advisor

   

SBC hui

   

SBC and BusinessNZ Network Course: Introducing sustainability – the what, the why and the how for businesses

(Auckland) EMA Office, 145 Khyber Pass Rd, Grafton 21 November


Are you wanting to better understand sustainability, its application in businesses and why it’s important? SBC and BusinessNZ Network are excited to share our introductory sustainability day course, where you can connect with fellow businesses to learn about key elements of sustainability. Designed and developed by the in-house expertise of our sustainability and learning and development specialists, this promises to leave you with an informed, connected and inspired view of how you can begin making an impact through your business. To express your interest, email Lauren James, Network Sustainability Lead, at ljames@businessnz.org.nz.

   

Other hui

   

Journey to a Low Carbon Energy System | The Sector's Voice

Wellington venue TBC | 22 November, 7:30-9:30am NZST

Following the launch of the BCG's "Roadmap for a low carbon energy system", this session provides you with an opportunity to hear from leaders across the energy sector on the pathways to a low carbon energy system that will accelerate decarbonisation while delivering affordable and secure energy for consumers. We invite decision makers to join us for this important strategic session on how we might move ahead from here, together. Panellists include Vince Hawksworth (Chief Executive, Mercury), Nigel Barbour, (Chief Executive, Orion), Nicki Sutherland (Group Manager - Business, EECA) and Andrew Knight (Chief Executive, Gas Industry Co.)

   

NEW: Chapter Zero: Director lens on COP27 (featuring SBC Head of Climate Kate Wilson Butler as a panelist)

Online | 23 November, 7:15-8:30am NZST

The outcomes of COP27 have significant implications for business locally and globally. Join Chapter Zero to explore the outcomes of COP27, discuss the international response, and consider New Zealand’s role in global action. Speakers include SBC's own Head of Climate Action Kate Wilson Butler, directors Scott St John, Fonterra, and Rob Hewett, Silver Fern Farms, and the panel will discuss a director’s perspective on integrating climate considerations into strategy, and explore the agriculture sector’s approach to climate change.

   

NEW: Using digital technologies to reduce emissions - a webinar from Spark and thinkstep-anz

Online | 23 November, 1:00-1:30pm NZST


The exciting joint report between thinkstep-anz and Spark New Zealand released last week explores the significant role digital technologies can play in reducing carbon emissions. In this webinar, the report’s authors will explain the findings and what it means for the future. Tom Newitt, Spark’s Sustainability Lead, and Emily Townsend, thinkstep-anz's Head of Life Cycle Strategies, will give a 30-minute presentation and answer your questions. 

   

Proxima Certified GRI Standard Sustainability Reporting Course

Deloitte, Auckland | 28-29 November 2022

Proxima is running one last GRI training course for this year! This GRI certified course enable participants to undertake a sustainability reporting process within their own or other organization using the GRI standards and guidance resources. The course includes an introduction to the GRI Standard reporting framework, core principles an critical steps in the reporting process. More details and registration can be found below, or get in touch with gautami@proxima.global for more information.

   

NEW: NZTE and Allbirds: Collaboration and sustainability

Online | 8 December, 9:30-10:30am NZST

Join this webinar in which NZTE outlines its collaboration with Kiwi company Allbirds, one of the world’s most innovative sustainable brands. You’ll get insights into how Allbirds has collaborated and innovated across their supply chain, including their partnership with Adidas, open sourcing their carbon labelling, and more. You also hear what Allbirds has learnt on their sustainability journey, and their advice for growing companies in New Zealand.

   

More about SBC events. For other low emissions events, see the Climate Leaders Coalition events calendar.

Please send Pānui stories (50 words plus square image) to sbccomms@businessnz.org.nz by Wednesday 12pm. 

10 November 2022