SBC Weekly

News, views and upcoming events

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SBC Pre-election Manifesto

Late last year, we surveyed members about what issues they would most like to work with the incoming government on. The top-ranked issues were:

1) Transition to a low-emissions economy
2) Leave no one behind
3) Strengthen NZ Inc.
4) Back business to be sustainable

We shared the findings with a number of political parties and discussed how these issues aligned with each party's policies. Read the SBC Pre-election Manifesto here and the summary of discussions with political parties in this blog by Manager, Climate and Resources, Kate Alcock.

Net Zero in the retail sector

The Warehouse Group CEO, Nick Grayston, says that, of all the scenarios on reducing emissions outlined in the Net Zero in New Zealand report, the one that applies most to the retail sector is technological improvements. “Technology plays a very important role in what our carbon efficiency initiatives are now and could be, and almost certainly drive real step change for retail." He also says that social expectations have changed and customers want products and services right ‘now’ which places pressure on just how quickly they can become a low-emission business. Read more here.

Electric Vehicles

New Zealand Post - with assistance from EECA's Low Emissions Vehicles Contestable Fund - will purchase five electric vans, for courier drivers to trial and consider whether they want to purchase or lease their own. NZ Post Sustainability Specialist Sam Bridgman says, "In addition to our other low carbon initiatives, these vehicles will help us develop new ways to reduce the carbon footprint of the mail we deliver". Read more here.

Abbie Reynolds features in Business Plus this month, talking about why electric vehicles make sense from a financial, marketing and emissions-reduction perspective. And why she loves her own EV. Read more here.

Climate Change

Climate change is one of the top ten government-related issues for businesses, said the BusinessNZ-Deloitte Election survey launched yesterday. The top three reasons said by business for how climate change would impact their business were: Affecting the cost of inputs, affecting the cost of products or services, affecting business resource use. The top three sustainability issues business said was important to them were: Customer expectations, reputation and future-proofing. Read the SBC press release here and the full election survey results here.

"We either have to face disruption from climate change or disrupt the way we do things – its disruption in one form or another,” said Professor Will Steffen in an interview with Mark Jennings this week. The interview focused on the NZX Super Fund divestment decision and how business and government need to shift thinking to better tackle climate change. Read more here.

Reports & Guides

Spark has published its FY17 Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) report. This year's report includes Spark's corporate governance statement and Supplier Code of Conduct, and shows the company's line of sight to relevant Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The University SDG Guide has also been launched, with Victoria University of Wellington's Marjan van den Belt as a co-author. The Guide highlights the important role universities have in implementing the SDGs through their teaching, research, operations and leadership, and provides practical guidance and examples to inspire further action.

Wins & Awards

Congratulations Sanford for winning the Silver Award in the Specialised Report: Integrated AR & CSR category, at the international Annual Report Competition. See all winners here.

And great news for Fujitsu - winner of two awards for its transformative sustainability project, NABERS for Data Centres, which is the result of a three-year collaboration with industry and government. Lee Stewart, Head of Sustainability for Fujitsu Australia and New Zealand, said, “It is essential that major ICT providers innovate to offset their carbon footprint as both an environmental and financial imperative". Read more here.

Important dates

- Entries for the 2018 Australasian Reporting Awards will open on 1st September. Entry details available on http://www.arawards.com.au/ soon.
- Low Emission Vehicles Contestable Fund Round Three: Application close on Wednesday 27th September. Click here for more information.
- World Water Week 27 August-1 September. Click here to engage with the issues presented at the WWW conference in Stockholm, including a Business Guide to Circular Water Management.
- Submissions to the Productivity Commission on NZ's low-emissions pathway due October 2nd. Read more here.

Upcoming Events

CONNECTING SUSTAINABILITY TO YOUR BRAND STORY

Is your story residual, dominant or emerging?

A "roll up your sleeves" workshop with J. Walter Thompson’s Planning Director, Jacqueline Smart, on how your branding and sustainability are connected.

Jacqueline will talk about how different brands communicate their organisation’s values, and how this resonates with contemporary New Zealand consumer values. We’ll also talk about how the Good Life playbook from the World Business Council for Sustainable Development can apply to a New Zealand context.

We will live stream the workshop and encourage members around New Zealand to participate in the workshop.

Thursday 14th September, 9:00-11:00am, Auckland. ** Please note new date
RSVP rsvp @businessnz.org.nz

SBC FUTURE LEADERS PROGRAMME
Workshop 3: Leading & Launching the SDGs

Course participants present the group’s findings and the opportunities to build up momentum for the Sustainable Development Goals in NZ.

Thursday 21st Sept, Auckland. Read more here

BRILLIANT BASICS: CARBON

Big thank you to Enviro-Mark Solution's Dr Ann Smith and Stewart McKenzie for co-hosting yesterday's Brilliant Basics: Carbon webinar. And thanks to all of you who dialled in - we'll send you the webinar recording, slide pack and transcript shortly. Any members who'd like the webinar recording, please contact Alison aherft@businessnz.org.nz.

CECC presents: Mike Bennetts on the Z Story
Creating a Culture of Sustainability and Purpose
Wed 6th Sept, Christchurch
Read more here

Thinkstep presents: Sweet 17 or a more mature approach?
How the SDGs and materiality assessment complement each other.
Thurs 14th Sept, Auckland
Buy tickets here

GO GLOBAL
Conference for exporters
A great line up of exporter speakers sharing how to be successful.
Thursday 21st Sept, Auckland

Earl y bird tickets available now

ĀKINA & SAP:
Working on purpose
Part of the Social World Enterprise Forum. Speakers include SBC's Abbie Reynolds.

Thursday 28th Sept, Christchurch. Read more and register here.

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