Sustainability news, views and insights |
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NZ launches first National Adaptation Framework |
The Government’s released Aotearoa NZ’s first National Adaptation Framework to boost climate resilience. “We need our country and economy to be resilient and well-prepared,” says Minister Simon Watts. The plan includes a national flood map, new legislation, and 16 actions across four pillars to prepare for climate impacts and reduce long-term costs. Read the full announcement and find more details here.
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Adaptation Futures Conference – Insights
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SBC’s Charlotte Kootstra has been on the ground in Ōtautahi this week attending Adaptation Futures 2025. With more than 1,800 attendees from around the world, it’s been a packed agenda and powerful connection opportunity, with plenty of insights and important takeaways. For a taste of some of the ‘on the ground’ action from across the week, check out these updates from the KPMG team.
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SBC & KPMG Adaptation Breakfast
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SBC was also delighted to work alongside KPMG to host a networking breakfast for our Christchurch members to share some of the insights and discussions coming out of this important event. A huge thank you to everyone who came along. We’re looking forward to continuing to drive this important kōrero forward as part of our Adaptation Community of Practice.
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Government resets 2050 biogenic methane target |
The Government’s made major announcements this week relating to New Zealand’s methane targets for 2050. The target has been reduced to a range of 14 – 24% below 2017 levels. Agricultural methane emissions will also not be taxed. Find full details of the announcement here, as well as responses to the announcement from Lawyers for Climate Action, and a range of NZ scientists.
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Govt responds to second emissions reduction monitoring report
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The Government’s released its response to the Climate Change Commission’s second annual emissions reductions monitoring report, agreeing early action toward long term targets (including the third emissions budget) will be important, and committing to exploring opportunities for earlier action where appropriate. MfE this week also published updated emissions projections for 2025, which indicate NZ can meet its first and second emissions budget, and 2050 target.
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Sustainability notes from the land of chocolate and cheese |
We’re very proud to share SBC’s Head of ESG Jay Crangle has been selected for the prestigious Inner Development Goals Ambassador Programme in Sweden. As part of her travels, Jay’s met with global sustainability leaders, including visiting WBCSD’s headquarters in Geneva. Check out her top 10 takeaways so far, and stay tuned for more from Ekskäret Island and the IDG Summit.
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Air New Zealand backs New Zealand nature
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In a partnership with My Native Forest, Air New Zealand has committed to buy 8,000 tonnes of internationally verified, NZ nature-based carbon removals by 2030. Air NZ says the move signals the airline's commitment to starting in its own backyard and its confidence in NZ’s potential for a high-quality voluntary carbon market. Read more here.
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WBCSD 2025 Council Meeting - Reflections |
WBCSD marked its 30th anniversary with its annual Council Meeting last month, held alongside the action and events of Climate Week NY. With more than 500 senior executives gathering to attend, the annual meeting centred around a powerful key message: sustainability performance is a key driver of competitiveness. Read a full breakdown of the action, outcomes and reflections here.
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New member: One New Zealand
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One New Zealand is a nationwide digital provider offering mobile, broadband, and tech services to consumers, businesses, and government. It supports ~2.3M mobile and ~400K broadband connections, with 57 stores. Formerly Vodafone NZ, it rebranded in April 2023. Owned by Infratil, One NZ leads in mobile innovation and aims for a better-connected Aotearoa New Zealand.
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In this week’s Reporting Corner, we are delighted to share reports from MfE and AA Insurance.
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NEW: From pledges to progress: Risks, duties and the disclosure of sustainability targets Online | 18 November 2025 | 12:00pm
As expectations intensify and challenges mount, many organisations are grappling with setting – or resetting – sustainability targets. For boards and executive teams, this raises questions of oversight, accountability, and strategic positioning.
Join Daniel Street, Partner at DLA Piper, Judene Edgar, Chapter Zero New Zealand Lead and Nikki Wright, Director at Wright Communications, as they examine these issues and share real-world examples that illustrate what has worked, what has not, and why.
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NEW: COP30 Debrief & Dialogue: Key Insights from Belém for NZ Business Online | 27 November 2025 | 11:00am
Join SBC and Centre for Sustainable Finance for a special post-COP30 webinar unpacking key insights, reflections, and implications from the global climate negotiations and side events in Belém, Brazil.
This session will offer New Zealand businesses a vital opportunity to connect directly into the outcomes of the international conversations and hear from those who have been on the ground in Belém. Don’t miss your opportunity to share in all the climate action and sustainable finance insights, outcomes and updates from the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30).
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Sustainability Leadership Programme 2026 - Taster Session Online | 5 February 2026 | 10:00am
The Sustainability Leadership Programme (SLP) is a course delivered by Catapult and SBC designed to empower sustainability leaders to drive transformational change by giving them the connections, tactics and confidence to make a measurable impact.
Join us for this free online taster session where you will hear from past participants on how SLP has had a positive impact on not only their leadership within their current role and organisation, but also beyond.
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Tackling upfront embodied carbon with NABERS and NZGBC Online | 22 October 2025 | 3:00pm
Reducing a building’s emissions starts long before the foundation is laid. With strong progress already made in reducing operational energy, upfront embodied carbon - from materials, transport and construction - is now emerging as the largest share of a building’s footprint. Join us for a webinar with Katie Eyles, Embodied Carbon Lead at NABERS, Sam Archer, Director of Market Transformation at the New Zealand Green Building Council (NZGBC), and Nicole Sullivan, Impact Director at thinkstep-anz. Together, they’ll discuss where the industry stands and how the NABERS tool can help drive progress.
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Strengthening climate governance in Asia–Pacific – International Climate Councils Network Online | 22 October 2025 | 7:00pm
What does climate governance look like in the Asia-Pacific region? How can independent climate advisory bodies accelerate effective climate action? How can we strengthen climate governance through effective, evidence-based policy advice?
Join Climate Change Commission Chief Executive Jo Hendy and other speakers from around the region for a webinar exploring this topic. Speakers will share experience and insights, the latest work on climate governance in the region, and explore the unique regional and country-based considerations for effective climate governance.
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FNZCCI Climate & Sustainability Forum 2025 Auckland | 23 October 2025 | 8:00am - 11:00am
The Climate & Sustainability Forum is one of the French New Zealand Chamber of Commerce & Industry’s (FNZCCI) flagship annual events, bringing together business leaders, policymakers, and sustainability professionals from New Zealand, France, and Europe.
The Forum takes place on Thursday, 23 October 2025, preceding the high-profile EU-New Zealand Business Summit. Together, these events will highlight the vital role of sustainability in shaping the future of NZ-EU trade relations.
This year’s theme - “The Decarbonisation of Trade and Transportation” - focuses on the challenges and opportunities at the intersection of climate action and global commerce.
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Blue and Green Technology Conference 2025 Auckland | 2-3 December 2025 | 8:00am - 7:00pm
This dynamic two-day event brings together innovators, entrepreneurs, researchers, and decision-makers to accelerate clean technology solutions for a climate-resilient future. Whether you’re from government, academia, or industry, this conference offers a powerful platform for knowledge exchange, partnerships, and action.
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Please send Pānui stories (50 words plus square image) or event listings (100 words plus banner image) to [email protected] by Wednesday 12pm. |
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See guidelines around SBC's expectations of member communications and transparency here.
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Level 13, NTT Tower, 157 Lambton Quay, Wellington 6011, New Zealand |
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