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Sustainability news, views and insights
   

Mānawatia a Matariki. As we reflect on the last year and look to the future, we wish all our readers, members and signatories a safe and happy long weekend. We would also like to acknowledge the communities across the motu affected by recent severe weather. These ongoing events continue to serve as an important reminder of the ‘why’ that sits at the heart of the important mahi we do together.

   
   

KMPG: Closing the sustainability valuation gap

Following on from the Financial quantification report shared in March, KPMG International has released a new report exploring why sustainability considerations are still not reflected in financial decision making. It highlights the gap between sustainability ambition and financial analysis, and how better quantification can support stronger decisions and long-term value creation. 
   

Credible Transition Planning: From narrative to navigation

A new paper from Tonkin + Taylor offers practical guidance for organisations looking to strengthen their transition planning. It draws on insights from current disclosed practice to outline guiding principles to shape robust and investment-grade planning, alongside simple maturity tools helping organisations move beyond compliance towards more credible planning. 
   

Why clearer climate standards are only the start

The XRB’s draft climate reporting roadmap signals a more aligned approach to the future of sustainability reporting. In a new blog, thinkstep-anz’s, Martin Fryer, explores why alignment alone is not enough. He covers how simpler rules don't automatically mean better reports. Businesses still need to know what matters and back up their claims.

Synlait Milk launch next phase of sustainability partnership

In a recent video, Synlait Milk shares the next phase of its sustainability partnership, highlighting how collaboration can accelerate practical sustainability solutions. For the launch, the team visited a Canterbury dairy farm to explore emissions-reducing technologies and marked the planting of the first of 90,000 native trees through the Whakapuāwai programme.
   

Driving Change: Lifecycle of a tyre

Through Tyrewise, NZ’s first regulated product stewardship scheme for end-of-life tyres, 3R Group is helping transform old tyres into valuable resource opportunities. In a recent video, the team explores the lifecycle of a tyre, highlighting how the scheme transforms end-of-life tyres into valuable new products and highlights the role of behaviour change in effective product stewardship.
   

WM New Zealand is closing the Loop, one cart at a time

WM New Zealand and fellow SBC member Skyline Enterprises are working together to turn end-of-life luge carts into recycled materials. The initiative is a practical example of circular economy in action and is expected to divert more than 3.5 tonnes of plastic from landfill each year. The project highlights the value of cross-sector partnerships in keeping materials in circulation.
   

AIA introduce the new Vitality HealthyFood Benefit

AIA is showcasing the role of business in supporting health and wellbeing through its new AIA Vitality HealthyFood Benefit. The initiative provides discounts on fruit and vegetables, encouraging healthier food choices at a time when very few NZ adults meet their recommended vegetable intake. A practical example of businesses strengthening the ‘S’ in ESG.
   

Applications for Next Generation Scholarship closing

Know a young climate leader ready to make an impact? Applications for the 2026 Next Generation Scholarships, sponsored by thinkstep-anz, close Monday 13 July. The scholarship supports people aged 18–30 yrs to join #CCBC26, connect with peers and bring fresh ideas to the conversation. Check out the full programme here.
   

Reporting corner

In this week’s Reporting corner, we are pleased to present reports from OneNZ and OCS ANZ:
   

NZIER Ed Hearnshaw Environmental Economics Award

Applications are open for the NZIER Hearnshaw Environmental Economics Award, honouring the legacy of Ed Hearnshaw. The Award recognises outstanding contributions to environmental economics in Aotearoa NZ, with applications encouraged from those whose work demonstrates innovation, excellence, or significant impact in environmental economics.
   
In other news
   
   
Job opportunities
   

SLR Consulting (Auckland) 
Senior Environmental Consultant

   

SBC hui

Climate Change & Business Conference 2026

Auckland | 7, 8 September 2026 | All day

As we enter the final stretch to 2030, the impacts of climate change are no longer theoretical, they are shaping the operating environment for New Zealand businesses today. The conference will bring together a leading line-up of local and global speakers at Auckland’s Viaduct Events Centre on 7–8 September to tackle the critical questions of the moment. From geopolitical shocks reshaping energy security, to capturing the upside of the transition, shaping policy priorities ahead of Election 2026 and unpacking the true cost of adaptation, this is a critical forum for business leaders and one not to be missed.

   

Other hui

Scope 3 assurance: what auditors look for

Online | 22 July 2026 | 2:00pm

Scope 3 assurance can feel daunting. Join SGS’s Mark Crichton and thinkstep-anz’s Katharina Bauch for a practical webinar on what verifiers look for, how to prepare and how to improve your data over time. Learn how to make assurance less painful and communicate your approach clearly, from start to finish.

   

2026 emissions reduction monitoring report

Online | 27 July 2026 | 12:00 - 1:00pm

Is Aotearoa New Zealand on track to achieve its climate change goals? Join us to explore our latest emissions reduction monitoring report. The Climate Change Commission’s upcoming emissions reduction monitoring report gauges the progress that Aotearoa New Zealand is making towards meeting the country’s emissions budgets and 2050 target. In this webinar Robin Campbell (General Manager – Delivery) and Rob Carr (Project Director) will provide a high-level overview of our findings and our recommendations to the Government.

   

From Influence to Impact: Elevating sustainability on the Board agenda

Online | 27 July 2026 | 2:00 - 3:00pm

Sustainability professionals are driving meaningful progress across organisations yet turning that work into Board-level action and decision-making remains a persistent challenge. As sustainability increasingly shapes business strategy, risk, and long-term value, the question is no longer if it belongs at the Board table, but how it is positioned to influence decisions. Following strong engagement from a similar session at this year's CEP Conference, this webinar brings together senior leaders, including SBC CEO Mike Burrell, to share how they are navigating this shift in practice. Through real-world case studies, the session will explore how sustainability initiatives are framed using credible data, risk, and strategic alignment to resonate at a governance level.

   

NEW: Better scope 3 reporting starts with better data

Online | 30 July 2026 | 2:00pm

Join thinkstep-anz Technical Director Jeff Vickers for the launch of our updated spend-based emission factors for New Zealand. He will explain what has changed, how to use the updated dataset and why spend-based data remains one of the smartest ways to identify emissions hotspots and improve reporting over time.

   

SBN Nature and Business Symposium

Auckland | 5 August 2026 | 8:30 - 5:00pm

Back by popular demand, SBN’s Nature and Business Symposium this year will focus on helping organisation's take action, make connections and grow stronger partnerships. In the session, make sense of nature and business, cut through the jargon, explain why it all matters and explore the latest developments. Be part of the discussion with businesses, community groups, tangata whenua, landowners, NGOs, government, philanthropy groups and finance experts. Curious or committed, you'll leave ready to take action for nature.

   

NEW: BusinessNZ Election Conference

Wellington | 15 September 2026 | 9:00 - 4:30pm

Join the Deloitte and Chapman Tripp Election Conference, hosted by BusinessNZ - the premier business forum of the 2026 General Election campaign. This full-day event brings together political party leaders, senior ministers and key spokespeople to outline their vision for New Zealand's economy and make their case to the country's business community ahead of the November election. Hosted by Ryan Bridge, the conference will analyse issues that matter most to business, including economic growth, infrastructure, workforce, sustainability and productivity. Discussion will be informed by insights from this year’s Election Survey, ensuring the conversation reflects priorities of businesses across New Zealand. 

We’re pleased to confirm SBC members have access to member rates.

   

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. 


9 July 2026
   

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