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News, views and upcoming events

Six SBC members to join forces on joint agriculture venture 

Off the back of an SBC collaboration, ANZCO Foods, Fonterra, Ngāi Tahu Holdings, Ravensdown, Silver Fern Farms and Synlait have announced a joint venture with government worth around $172m over 4 years to develop new tools and technologies to accelerate the reduction of agriculture emissions. It’s fantastic to see this mahi paying off – well done to all involved!

   

Government begins phasing out problematic plastics

The Ministry for the Environment has begun the three-step process of banning some problematic plastics, with an aim to phase out single use plastics in Aotearoa. Not only will this help reduce waste, it will also improve our recycling systems and protect te taiao (our natural environment) from plastic pollution. This is a great first step on the journey!

   

ASB gifts farmland to Auckland school for sustainable learning

To celebrate Mount Albert Grammar School's 100th birthday, ASB has gifted the school's Trust the 8.1ha section of farmland next door, which has been used for many decades to teach students about farming and attract young urban talent, many of whom increasingly value sustainability, into future careers in the primary sectors.  

   

SBC members get involved in the Auckland Climate Festival

The Auckland Climate Festival is taking place this month, with over a dozen SBC members getting involved in hosting events or participating in panels over the course of the festival. There are 100+ events over the course of the month, both hybrid and in-person, so it's not only limited to Aucklanders! Visit the website to learn more and attend.

   
Wise about Waste: get involved

Wise about Waste is a nationwide challenge for anyone who wants to reduce their waste footprint. Kiwis are known for our ingenuity, and we are pretty proud of our environment. This challenge gives you the perfect opportunity to reflect on your current situation and take a step (or a running leap) in the right direction. Learn more and register on the website.

   

Watch the SBC Annual Council Meeting highlight video

In this highlight video from our Annual Council Meeting, we reflect on the last year and look ahead to our key priorities with Marc England, outgoing SBC Chair, Gareth Marriott, newly elected SBC Chair and Mike Burrell, SBC Executive Director. We also hear from Stuff's Eloise Gibson on upcoming trends and get to know some of our new advisory board members.

   

In other news

Job opportunities

   

EECA (Wellington or Christchurch)

Programme Advisor - Regional Energy Transition

Fonterra (Auckland - Hybrid)

Group Sustainability Risk Manager

Tourism Industry Aotearoa (Wellington)

Advocacy and Engagement Manager

Climate Change Commission (Wellington)

Senior Analyst - Emissions Budgets

Mitre 10 (Auckland)

Sustainability Coordinator

   

SBC hui

   

2022 CFO Sustainability Snapshot Survey launch

Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch | 19 October, 8:00-9:30am NZST


Join us for a breakfast networking event in your choice of Auckland, Wellington or Christchurch on 19 October from 8:00-9:30am to discover the results of the 2022 CFO Sustainability Snapshot survey and engage in an interactive CFO panel discussionThe event is open to anyone interested, with a particular focus on CFOs, sustainability leads, finance team members, board directors and executives. Please use the link below to register no later than Wednesday 12 October.

   

The Business of Nature: Why Papatūānuku needs to be our CEO

Online | Wednesday 26 October, 2:30pm NZST

The role of business in relation to nature is highly topical and fast-moving in New Zealand and around the world. In this webinar, Lyttleton Port and Nature Positive will share their experience in embedding nature within business. The conversation will focus on building a shared understanding of the interconnectedness of nature and business, the unique proposition Aotearoa holds for how business engage with nature through mātauranga Māori, and how businesses can harness opportunities and understand their risks around nature. This event is open to non-SBC members.

   

Other hui

   

NEW: Auckland Climate Festival    

October 2022

There are 100+ fantastic events taking place both in-person and online throughout October for the Auckland Climate festival. This is a great opportunity to learn more and meet other people who are passionate about combatting climate change - see a list of the different events here.

   

Will business ever be truly sustainable? 

Online | 11 October, 5:45pm-6:30pm NZST

In her Professorial Lecture, ‘Will business ever be truly sustainable?’, Professor Eva Collins from the University of Waikato’s Management School will discuss how businesses have engaged with sustainability -- sometimes effectively, and sometimes with negative results. In her talk, Professor Collins will highlight key sustainability trends she expects to see in the business world over the next decade. 

   

NEW: Proxima Lunch ‘n’ Learn series  The updated GRI 3:  – The updated approach for assessing significance and prioritisation (Session 4)

Online | 13 October, 12:25pm-1:00pm NZST

The Proxima team has guided a number of companies through the updated GRI approach this year and is sharing insights, tips and tricks in a series of bite-sized 

Lunch ‘n’ Learn sessions. Session #4 is all about understanding the different elements of GRI’s scoring / prioritisation approach, knowing what’s good enough (a scientific approach vs a finger in the air), scoring potential impacts based on their likelihood of occurring and the exception for human rights, and ensuring engagement from internal owners of the materiality assessment.

   

COP27 Stakeholder Briefing - Aotearoa New Zealand's International Climate Change priorities

Online | 13 October, 12:30pm NZST

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade invites individuals and representatives of organisations with an interest in Aotearoa New Zealand’s international climate change response to a stakeholder briefing session with our Climate Change Ambassador; Kay Harrison, and negotiating team. The aim is to share our objectives and priorities for COP27. There will be an opportunity to ask questions and to let us know what you think is important for Aotearoa New Zealand to represent at COP this year.

NEW: Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week: What are the opportunities for New Zealand Businesses?
Online | 13 October, 4:30-5:30pm NZST

This webinar is designed for New Zealand exporters who want to learn more about the growing opportunities in the sustainability space that are emerging in this region and that are looking to travel to market for the next edition of ADSW, which will take place in Abu Dhabi from 14 to 19 January 2023. At the webinar, you will hear from speakers from Masdar City and Masdar. Key organizers of ADSW will also join the virtual event. Our guest speakers will delve deeper into the opportunities that New Zealand exporters can leverage by taking part in ADSW.

   

NEW: Sustainable Finance with Hind Management: A webinar with Hind Management and thinkstep-anz
Online | Wednesday 2 November, 3:00-3:30pm NZST

Sustainability linked loans and green finance are a growing area of financial lending – one with the potential for positive impacts around the world. Find out how green and sustainable finance can help your business work towards its sustainability goals. This webinar will discuss thinkstep-anz's work with Hind Management (Sudima Hotels), including a second-party opinion for Hind Management’s sustainability linked loan, which includes targets for social, cultural and environmental performance. 

   

NEW: (NZ Business Excellence Foundation with University of Auckland) Quest for Excellence: New standards for a new world
17-18 November 2022

The Quest for Excellence conference, put together by the New Zealand Business Excellence Foundation in association with Auckland University, is a natural progression from our Climate Change and Business Conference conversations, that broadens to include Environmental, Social and Governance, or ‘ESG’ Sustainability. It has a very interesting focus on the importance of professional auditing and reporting of new ESG business frameworks. SBC members can access a special price by registering in the ‘Special Rate for Partners’ category.  

   

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

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

6 October 2022