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SBC & MoT deliver feasibility study on decarbonising heavy freight

SBC and the Ministry of Transport have partnered to deliver a feasibility study looking into developing a mechanism to assist in decarbonising the heavy transport sector. If established, the mechanism would help fund additional low carbon freight vehicles, resulting in significant emissions reductions from Aotearoa New Zealand’s freight sector. Read the media release here.

   

SLP 2023: Thoughts from SBC's Nicole Schlichting

Nicole Schlichting, SBC's Senior Communications Advisor, participated in the 2023 Sustainability Leadership Programme (SLP), run in partnership between SBC and Catapult. The course teaches critical leadership skills through the lens of sustainability, offering hands-on experiences that build connection, skills and confidence. Here are Nicole's top takeaways from the programme.

   

In-person registrations close to capacity for upcoming conference

We're officially less than two weeks away from the 2023 Climate Change & Business Conference, and it's looking like this year's event will be quite full! In-person registrations are getting close to capacity, so if you're interested in being part of the kōrero on 19-20 September, register soon to make sure you don't miss out. See you there!

   

NZ Steel and Plant & Food Research win big at 2023 Diversity Awards

Two SBC members won awards in the medium-large organisation category at the Diversity Awards last week. New Zealand Steel took home the Inclusive Workplace Award (medium-large) and Plant & Food Research was given the Leadership Award. Huge congratulations to these organisations for their ongoing work in the social sustainability space!

   

AIA NZ's ESG Strategy wins award

AIA New Zealand's ESG Strategy has been recognised by the Financial Services Council, having won the Excellence in Sustainability Practices award for demonstrating a forward-thinking approach to integrating sustainability in internal processes and financial services delivery to consumers with the goal of decreasing its environmental impact. Well done AIA NZ!

   

Sustainability Reporting Corner

Here are the latest sustainability-related reports from members:
   

Take part in our third C-Suite Sustainability Snapshot Survey

In case you missed it, the C-Suite Sustainability Snapshot Survey, created in partnership with Deloitte and the Centre for Sustainable Finance: Toitū Tahua, is now open. Taking part can help you better understand which sustainability initiatives your organisation can focus on to maximise your impact. The survey closes on 22 September and the results will be released at the end of November.

   

In other news 

   
   

Job opportunities

Te Whatu Ora (Dunedin)
   

SBC hui

   

TWO WEEKS TO GO: Climate Change & Business Conference 2023

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


In-person registrations for the Climate Change & Business Conference, delivered by the Sustainable Business Council, Environmental Defence Society, and Climate Leaders Coalition. 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. View the programme here, and register now to join the kōrero at the Viaduct Events Centre in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland on 19-20 September 2023.

   

Other hui

   

All Heart NZ Sustainable Lunch with The Warehouse Group & Waste Management

 In person | Thursday 7 September 2023, 11.00am -1.00pm NZST

All Heart NZ's Sustainable Lunch Series aims to educate, connect and empower key decision makers to further their organisation's sustainability efforts.  During each event we hear about different organisation's strategy and the good work being done.  We invite you to join us to learn, network and share your own experiences with like-minded people. In this session hear from guest speakers Yi You and Olivia Barclay, Sustainability Managers at The Warehouse Group.

   

NEW: Climate equity in Aotearoa: A panel discussion

 21 Pitt Street, Auckland | Thursday 7 September, 4:00-6:00pm NZST

An engaging and provocative panel discussion on the unequal impacts of climate change in Aotearoa, and how we protect both people and planet. Hear from speakers with local and international insight and expertise, from across the spectrum of urban planning and community shaping, climate science and strategy, social outcomes and sustainability. This collaborative panel discussion is being run in partnership between Beca, Edge Impact and Eco Choice Aotearoa.

   

NEW: Westpac Smarts Webinar: Embracing net zero - navigating the low carbon transition

 Online | 12 September, 10:00-10:45am NZST

Join our upcoming Westpac Smarts Webinar hosted by Kate Gunthorp, Director ESG Advisory, where we will discuss why taking climate action is so important and how businesses can navigate the transition to a net zero world. We have an esteemed industry panel joining us to share their insights, including Kate van Praagh, GM Sustainability, Genesis Energy, Sam Bridgman, Head of Sustainability, Pāmu and Nicola Swan, Partner, Chapman Tripp.

   

NEW: The impact enterprises embracing regeneration (Ākina)

 Sustainable Coastlines, 55 Madden St. Auckland | 12 September, 4:00-5:30pm NZST

The Auckland Climate Festival (ACF) event not to be missed! Attention entrepreneurs, business leaders, investors and policymakers interested in impact! Ākina, the lmpact Partner for ACF, warmly invites you to join us for a free thought-provoking showcase of impact entrepreneurs. In this Auckland Climate Festival event, we’ll hear from a diverse panel of entrepreneurs and social innovators about what regeneration means to them and how they are integrating regenerative practices into their businesses. Beyond the enriching panel discussion, you will have an opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals, entrepreneurs and people who are equally passionate about creating positive impact. Light refreshments will be provided.

   

NEW: NZGBC Election Panel 2023: Making every home and building count

 The Cube, 12 Jellicoe Street Auckland | 12 September, 4:00-6:00pm NZST

Come along to hear more from the major political parties and their commitment to the future of the property and construction sector. Moderated by senior correspondent at BusinessDesk Dileepa Fonseka, hear more from Christopher Bishop for National, Julie Anne Genter for the Green Party, Hon Megan Woods for Labour, Tanya Unkovich for NZ First, Damian Sycamore for TOP and Cameron Luxton for ACT.

   

NEW: Exploring climate-budgeting and congruence with commitments (NZIER)

 Online | 14 September, 12:00pm NZST

NZIER's Principal Economist, Michael Bealing, and Economist, Thomas Hughes, are scheduled to discuss their research outcomes from the upcoming report 'How congruent is Budget 2023 with New Zealand’s climate commitments?' In this webinar, they will present their findings of using an environmental budget review approach in New Zealand to assess the congruence of Budget 2023 to climate commitments.

   

Credible Claims: Exposing Greenwashing for a Sustainable Future

 Online | Wednesday 13 September, 7.30-9.30am NZST

Join us for an engaging breakfast panel on the pressing issue of greenwashing, hosted by Toitū Envirocare. Our panel includes Teressa Betty - CEO of Toitū Envirocare, Nikki Wright - Managing Director of Wright Communications, Louise Nash - Founder & CEO of Circularity and Jason Rudkin-Binks - Partner at Hudson Gavin Martin. During the panel discussion, our expert speakers will delve into the practice of greenwashing, where companies falsely portray their products or actions as environmentally friendly. We will explore the impact of greenwashing on both businesses and consumers and delve into strategies for identifying and combating this phenomenon.

   

NEW: (thinkstep-anz) Using the Sustainable Development Goals to build strategy - with Hawkins Watts

Online | 21 September, 12:30-1:00pm NZST

Learn how Hawkins Watts, trans-Tasman-based manufacturer of food and beverage ingredients, used the UN’s SDGs to develop its sustainability work.

   

NEW: (Proxima) Climate Action with Fresk

Ellen Melville Centre, Auckland | 27 September, 1:30pm NZST

Addressing climate change requires significant changes, and businesses have a crucial role in making a difference. The Climate Fresk workshop is designed to help participants understand the science behind climate change, its current and future impacts, and the actions we can take. The workshop is based on information from the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Proxima has partnered with Climate Club to offer an engaging and collaborative workshop that encourages creativity.

   

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) or event listings (100 words plus banner image) to sbccomms@businessnz.org.nz by Wednesday 12pm. 

7 September 2023