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News, views and upcoming events
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Message from Mike Burrell
In his latest video, Mike talks about what will be needed to accelerate sustainability action in the recovery, and member opportunities to shape our new strategy. Read the transcript. Mike also recently spoke to Eloise Gibson, Climate Change Editor at Stuff, about what will help with the recovery. More on SBC and Covid-19. 
Member action during Covid-19
How are you showing appreciation for your staff and essential workers during this time? Businesses showing their gratitude to their essential workers include Countdown, Fonterra and Toll. Sanford is giving away premium seafood to essential workers (delivered in its new electric van!).
SBC member actions during this time are now being profiled on the World Business Council for Sustainable Development website. Share your stories with us. 
Covid-19 virtual drop-in sessions
At our latest drop-in session this week, we heard about how our members are supporting their team’s wellbeing at work remotely, as well as how they’re influencing senior stakeholders to ensure sustainability stays on the agenda. Thanks for the positive feedback, these will now be run every fortnight on Thursdays from 12 – 12:45pm. The next one is scheduled for 7 May.
SBC's Strategy Refresh
While this is a time of great change and challenge, it is also an opportunity to create a step change in sustainable business. This week we have sent out a survey to Council Members and Liaison Delegates asking what our core purpose should be as we look ahead. As a member-driven organisation, your voice is crucial, and there will be other opportunities to engage in the coming weeks.   
What will the recovery mean for climate? 
The Climate Change Commission has offered to provide the Government with guidance on plans for economic recovery following Covid-19, and has developed six principles to help deliver an economic recovery that also keeps NZ on track to achieve our climate goals. And Minister James Shaw told Carbon News that businesses wanting the economic recovery to be a low-carbon transformation need to lobby Cabinet ministers now.
Mental well-being in the palm of your hand
Westpac New Zealand is supporting free access for New Zealanders to the Mentemia app, which has tried and tested tools for dealing with anxiety and stress, delivered in bite-sized chunks.    
More bubble activities for kids
Genesis has expanded its School-gen programme in partnership with Mindlab Kids, providing free access to hundreds of fun and easy experiments and challenges online, to help provide families across NZ with a little relief while they’re adapting to learning from home. And Toyota Kiwi Guardians have new ‘at home’ action medals to encourage Kiwi kids to take part in nature-based backyard activities. 
Regenerate your organisation online 
While it's bumpy now, economic turbulence can be an opportunity to forge better and stronger organisations. Catapult have designed their online Regeneration programme with actionable tools and insights to help your organisation meet the post Covid-19 world. Five online sessions cover strategy, operations, people, and personal leadership over two and a half weeks, starting on 28 April.
Meridian planting a forever forest
Meridian has been keeping an eye on the great outdoors during lockdown, with a recently launched project aiming to plant more than a million trees as part of its climate action. 
Empowering our Energy Future
The new paper from Transpower. Whakamana i Te Mauri Hiko - Empowering our Energy Future, shows how accelerated electrification stands to provide a stronger, more reliable system with much lower reliance on fossil fuel imports at the same time as cutting average household energy costs.  
Calling green building professionals 
You can contribute to understanding best practices in green building design and assessment. Fatma Abdelaal is surveying green building design and assessment in New Zealand, and Building Information Modelling and/or Life Cycle Assessment methodology practices in the industry, for her PhD at the University of Canterbury. Results will be shared with participants. Complete the survey during April & May 2020. 
SBC events

COVID-19: virtual drop in sessions now fortnightly
Next session: Thurs 7 May, 12 – 12:45pm
Join your fellow SBC members at one of our virtual drop-in sessions to exchange ideas and challenges relating to sustainability during the current crisis. We invite you to share with one another how COVID-19 is impacting your programme of work, and any good practice you’ve seen that might help others. RSVP for the link. 

Prince of Wales’s Business and Sustainability Programme
Sept 2020 
This flagship residential programme brings senior executives together to explore the strategic implications of sustainability on their businesses. It looks at how, as leaders, they can ensure resilient business models. Developed by the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership, this programme is delivered in collaboration with EY, with support from SBC.
Other sustainability events

Catapult Regeneration programme
Online: 28 and 30 April, 5, 7 and 12 May: 10am – 12pm
Actionable tools and insights to help your organisation get in shape to meet the post Covid-19 world. Catapult Regeneration covers strategy, operations, people, and personal leadership.
Register and more information

CEP & GEN LESS EECA Webinar series
Tuesdays at 4pm
Carbon and Energy Professionals has teamed up with The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority and its Gen Less programme to deliver a series of free webinars that will help businesses save money, become more productive and reduce their emissions.
Register and more information

Transitioning into a Digital Workplace: Harnessing Technology to Enhance Connectivity and Collaboration
Fujitsu webinar | Thurs 30 April, 1pm 
Businesses are facing significant changes in their current workplace. Industry analyst Tim Sheedy and Fujitsu experts Peter Lawther and Ramy Ibrahim will discuss the future needs of the modern workplace. 
Register and more information

Climate Action Hawke's Bay - Workshop
HB Business Hub | Weds 27 May & Thurs 18 June, 9am – 12pm 
Check their website for any date changes
The workshop will cover measuring and monitoring emissions, science-based targets, offsetting with carbon credits and reporting. You will also hear from HB businesses already measuring and monitoring – their challenges and benefits.
Register and more information

Next steps to net zero
Christchurch | 10-11 June
Carbon and Energy Professionals
More information
More information about SBC events. For other low emissions events see the Climate Leaders Coalition events calendar.

Please send your Pānui stories to: sbccomms@businessnz.org.nz 
23 April 2020