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Sustainability moves into the growth agenda - WBCSD reflections

In this latest article, SBC CEO Mike Burrell highlights how global leaders are reframing sustainability as a key driver of growth and competitiveness. Reflecting on the WBCSD’s recent Annual Meeting, he notes a shift toward business value and sustainable economic growth with conversations from the conference closely aligning with the findings from SBC’s recently released Driving Sustainable Growth report.

Thank you to everyone who engaged with SBC’s work to prepare a response on the Modern Slavery Bill. All members should now have received a final copy of the response; you can also find it here on our website. Member feedback and input has been hugely valuable, with the response now submitted to Select Committee.

Support announced for businesses to transition away from gas

The government has announced a new initiative to help businesses transition away from gas. The Gas Transition Loan Guarantee Scheme will make up to $1.2bn of bank loans available to businesses looking to move toward low emission alternatives. The initiative comes following advocacy from the BusinessNZ Energy Council and NZGBC, and will be supported by EECA. It aims to drive efficient, low-emissions energy use.

In a newly released case study, the Climate Change Commission shares insights from Westport communities living with increasingly disruptive weather and impacts of climate change. The case study highlights how residents, iwi, businesses and councils are responding, and what would help the town prepare for the future. It underscores the need for clear national frameworks, funding clarity and locally informed approaches to long-term climate adaptation.

FMA releases 2026 report on NZ's mandatory climate reporting

The FMA has released its 2026 review of New Zealand’s mandatory climate reporting regime, noting the growing maturity of reporting. The report highlights key areas for improvement, including clearer links between hazards and risks, stronger data underpinning physical risk assessments, and better alignment with transition plans.

Contact Energy’s opened its first grid-scale battery at Glenbrook, in South Auckland delivered alongside a range of partners including Transpower. The 100MZ Glenbrook Ohurua Battery 1 energy storage system can power around 44,000 Kiwi households at peak demand, demonstrating where NZ’s energy system is heading. Grid scale batteries help store energy when demand is low and provide reliability when supply is limited.

New facility to boost recycling and reduce construction waste

A new construction and demolition (C&D) processing facility has been opened in Porirua, marking a significant step forward in waste reduction. The facility has been supported with $2 million from the Ministry for the Environment’s Waste Minimisation Fund. The Minister says, “investing in infrastructure like this, will help divert tonnes of waste, reduce emissions associated with waste, and build a more efficient economy”.

In its most recent newsletter, our counterparts at the Business Council for Sustainable Development Australia (BCSDA) share the latest from across the ditch. Their latest ESG snapshot reflects on the return of energy security to the agenda, alongside tightening expectations for transition delivery. For business, the message is now practical: stronger execution, integrated data and governance, resilient supply chains, and readiness for increasing scrutiny now go hand in hand.

Reporting corner

In this week’s Reporting Corner we are pleased to present a report from the Meridian Energy:

• Meridian’s Impact & Transparency report