New Zealand Steel unveils the country's biggest emissions reduction project

New Zealand Steel has partnered with the Government and Contact Energy, with legal advice from Chapman Tripp, to shrink the carbon footprint of its Glenbrook steel mill through a new $300M electric arc furnace. The project will almost halve New Zealand Steel's carbon emissions and eliminate 800,000 tonnes of carbon, which equates to 1% of the country's total emissions. SBC welcomes this announcement and the impact it will have on Aotearoa New Zealand’s ability to deliver emissions reductions. Congratulations to New Zealand Steel, as well as the other SBC members involved!

Job opportunities

SBC hui

NEW (blended format): BusinessNZ Network and SBC - Introducing sustainability: The what, the why and the how for businesses

Online and in-person at EMA, Auckland | May-September 2023 (five sessions)

Have you heard of the ‘s word’? Do you know what it means? Are you wanting to better understand sustainability, its application in small businesses and why it’s important? In five modular sessions commencing 29 May, hosting by BusinessNZ Network in partnership with SBC, connect in a blended online/in-person sequence with fellow businesses to learn about key elements of sustainability. This is for you if you are new to sustainability and want to get your head around it, are supplying big corporates who are asking you questions about this and you want to understand more, have started your journey, but in some areas and know you could do more. 

Climate Change & Business Conference 2023

Viaduct Events Centre, Tāmaki Makaurau | 19-20 September 2023

The Sustainable Business Council, Environmental Defence Society, and Climate Leaders Coalition are proud to again partner to deliver the 15th Climate Change & Business Conference at the Viaduct Events Centre in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland on 19-20 September 2023. The conference will provide a timely opportunity for business, government and civil society to tackle the tough questions the country is facing, and to share innovative thinking and new ideas about how we can collectively accelerate emissions reductions while building our resilience to the impacts of a warming world. Early bird prices available until 30 June 2023.

Other hui

Online | 31 May, 11:00am-12:30pm NZST

Join the BusinessNZ Energy Council for an online session with Dr Stephen Batstone, Director at Whiteboard and Wayne Manor Advisory, and Toby Stevenson, Director Sapere on how energy modelling can inform New Zealand’s Energy Strategy. This session is designed to shed light on why a strategic approach to emissions reduction needs to embrace the real risk of the future turning out differently from that anticipated, as well as share key findings, conducting seven sensitivity analysis in TIMES-NZ – New Zealand’s Energy System Model. 

Carbon reduction for manufacturers workshop
Yashili, Pōkeno | 1 June, 9:00am-12:30pm NZST

Are you a manufacturer just starting to navigate the world of carbon, importance of tackling climate change and wanting to start or do more to reduce your emissions? This workshop will clarify the why/importance of reducing emissions and acting on climate change, help you troubleshoot any emissions measurement challenges (first 30 minutes), identify where to prioritise emissions reduction in your business and what you can do, and more.

Festival for the Future

Tākina Convention Centre, Wellington | 8-9 June 2023

Aotearoa’s biggest leadership and innovation summit is taking place 8–9 June 2023 in Wellington. With 30+ speakers, 20+ expert-led workshops, and 1,400+ delegates joining from across the country, attendees will learn from leaders and entrepreneurs across business, government and community sectors while building ideas, skills, and connections to transform our world for the better. Head to the Festival website to learn more about the programme, speaker lineup, and bonus Satellite events on offer — and use the code SBC to get 20% off your ticket.

NEW: BusinessCentral Sustainability Bootcamp

Wellington and online (hybrid) | 13-28 June 2023 (6 sessions)

New Zealand has committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, and momentum is building towards that goal. Learn how to get ahead of the curve and develop greener business practices with BusinessCentral's Sustainability Bootcamp, commencing in June. Join us to help prepare your business for the new era of sustainable practices. Over 6 sessions, our expert-led workshops will provide you the information and resources, tailor-made for small to medium-sized businesses, to understand how you can take action towards carbon reduction and prepare your business for future climate action regulations.

Leading so people thrive: How to drive workplace wellbeing (HRNZ)

9 Wyndham Street, Auckland CBD | 14 June, 9:00am-5:00pm NZST

A master gardener can’t force their plants to grow, but they can create the ideal environment for them to flourish. So too, leaders must create the right workplace environment for their people to thrive. This full-day, in person course through HRNZ will give you practical skills and tools to thrive personally and create the optimal workplace environment. Equip yourself to understand why workplace wellbeing matters, how to boost your wellbeing as a leader, and how to shape the ideal environment for your team to thrive.

NEW: Explaining your sustainability projects - with Fletcher Building

Online | 22 June, 1:30-2:00pm NZST

Do your customers and stakeholders understand your sustainability work? These projects can be major investments that use technical language (LCA, EPD, Scope 3) – so it’s important they are well communicated! In this thinkstep-anz webinar, Fletcher Building explains why it values Environmental Product Declaration (EPDs) and why it’s important that stakeholders understand how to use them.  

25 May 2023