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Sustainability news, views and insights
   
   

CCC's first national climate change risk assessment released

The Climate Change Commission (CCC) has released its 2026 National climate change risk assessment looking at how Aotearoa NZ may be affected by climate change related risks. The report identifies and assesses the most significant risks to our economy, society, environment and ecology, and highlights where focused action can make the biggest difference.

   

Beyond the Mandate Breakfast

Huge thanks to the business leaders who attended the exec breakfast this week, marking the culmination of our workshop series with Deloitte and CLC. The event shared voluntary disclosures guidance, with speakers and panelists offering insights and reinforcing the importance of a long-term focus on climate action. Download the resource launched at the event here.

   
   

Beyond the Mandate: why voluntary climate reporting matters

Climate disclosure is moving beyond compliance. In this blog, thinkstep-anz share their takeaways from the Beyond the Mandate exec breakfast hosted by CLC, SBC and Deloitte. Voluntary reporting still matters: customers, investors and supply chains expect credible climate data, clear action and evidence of progress.

   

SBC Call for Proposals

SBC is inviting proposals from experienced consultants for a focused, executive‑level project on workforce readiness during the transition to a low‑emissions economy. This is a time‑bound engagement to develop practical, decision‑ready tools that influence executive choices. If you work confidently with senior leaders and can turn intent into action, view this RFP. Closing 27 May.

   

Insights from WBCSD Annual Council Meeting

SBC CEO Mike Burrell was one of 600 business leaders in Montreux last week for the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) Annual Meeting. While there, Mike presented key findings from our Driving Sustainable Growth report to fellow Global Network Partners. Keep an eye out for further insights from Mike over the coming weeks.

   
   

Highlights: Driving Sustainable Growth launch

A month on from launching our flagship Driving Sustainable Growth report alongside CLC, our new highlight video, showcases key moments from the launch events. These include powerful reflections from our keynote speakers on the significant economic and emissions reduction opportunity for Aotearoa NZ quantified by this work.

   

Modern Slavery Bill: Preparing for what’s ahead

Thanks to everyone who participated in our recent two-part online workshop series supporting businesses to prepare for NZ’s modern slavery legislation. In this new video, SBC’s Jay Crangle and Chapman Tripp’s Kate Wilson Butler discuss some of the focus, exploring how a rights-based approach can set business up for risk management and reporting.

   

New investment aims to boost farmer uptake of low-methane sheep genetics

AgriZeroNZ, alongside fellow SBC member the Bioeconomy Science Institute, is part of a $1.2 million joint investment aiming to accelerate farmer uptake of low-methane sheep genetics. New funding extends the Cool Sheep® Programme and supports one of the few practical emissions reduction tools available for NZ farmers.

   

Reporting corner

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


   
   
In other news
   
   
Job opportunities
   

BraveGen (Auckland hybrid)
Head of Carbon Consulting

BraveGen (Auckland hybrid)
Head of Energy Consulting

   

SBC hui

He Tauira: A conceptual framework for meaningful impact reporting

Online | 18 May 202610:00 - 10:45am

The XRB Sustainability Reporting team will present He Tauira - a voluntary conceptual reporting framework designed to help entities articulate their impacts beyond financial metrics. He Tauira supports intergenerational impact reporting and is complementary to existing reporting frameworks and standards; it does not replace any regulatory or compliance reporting. The “pop-up” session will cover the whakapapa of He Tauira, the core conceptual elements of the framework, and practical use cases. Contact Charlotte Kootstra to join the session.

   

Other hui

Climate Change Commission webinars - NZ ETS and National climate change risk assessment

Online | 12 & 20 May 2026 | 12:00 – 1:00pm

The Climate Change Commission is hosting two upcoming webinars this May. The first webinar: NZ ETS settings 2026 advice will focus on the latest advice on unit limits and price control settings for the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), covering the period 2027–2031. The second webinar: National climate change risk assessment will cover the 2026 national climate change risk assessment, due to be released by mid-May. Every six years, the Commission is required to produce a report that provides a national picture of how Aotearoa New Zealand may be affected by climate change-related risks.

   

Deloitte Presents: The Art of the Possible - Leveraging AI for energy resilient value chains

Auckland | 19 May 2026 | 7:00 - 9:30am

Deloitte is hosting a dynamic breakfast discussion Tuesday 19 May in Auckland and online as part of Techweek, to showcase innovative technology and supply chain solutions for complex social challenges. Ecopreneur Marci Zaroff will share how technology, textiles and transparency can be woven into stronger, more ethical value chains. Our industry panel will discuss putting human rights, energy resilience and product origin at the centre of supply chain strategy. Join us on the 19th of May to network with innovators and change-makers.

   

The fuel shock: What your business can do right now to reduce cost and increase resilience

Online | 20 May 2026 | 12:00 – 1:00pm

For many businesses, this isn't a future risk - it's already hitting margins, cash flow, and day-to-day operations. This webinar offers a practical session on how to respond quickly and confidently. The session will set the scene on what's happening right now and how different organisations are responding - then shift focus to what you can actually do in the next 30-90 days, with time at the end for your questions. Amongst the line up of speakers include SBC's Director of Programmes, Jay Crangle.

   

NEW: Proxima Advanced Sustainability Reporting Series

Auckland | 21 May, 4, 18 June 2026 | 8:30 – 4:30pm

Sustainability reporting standards, processes, disclosures and the level of rigour required to prepare sustainability statements have changed significantly in the past two years. These global changes have started to impact New Zealand companies. Double materiality (driven by the European Union’s CSRD regulation), and the harmonization of updated GRI impact reporting standards with the new ISSB (IFRS) financial sustainability reporting standards, means there has been a fundamental shift in how sustainability reporting is now undertaken. Proxima are delivering an Advanced Sustainability Reporting Series for finance, investment and sustainability professionals to bring New Zealand companies up to speed with these important changes.

   

See all SBC events here. 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. 

See guidelines around SBC's expectations of member communications and transparency here


7 May 2026

   

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