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It was with great pride that we became signatories of the Climate Leaders’ Coalition in July of this year, joining forces with 60 other like-minded businesses from across New Zealand to work towards changing behaviours in the workplace, and everyday life, in order to reach a collective goal of reducing New Zealand’s emissions and ultimately a cleaner, greener New Zealand.

But is it possible for the rest of New Zealand and the New Zealand government to take action and change a long-standing mindset? To support a low emissions economy where people still prosper? The Productivity Commission thinks so.

Initiatives and announcements made in recent weeks show how the New Zealand business community is embracing the climate change challenge. The Climate Leaders’ Coalition, launched in July, is a group of chief executives and businesses committed to the measurement and reporting of their greenhouse gas emissions.

The group has publicly supported the Government’s zero carbon goals to set regular carbon “budgets” and establish a Climate Change Commission. This follows hard on the heels of the agri-food sector giving support to the Government’s goal of New Zealand achieving net zero emissions by 2050.

Gerri Ward, Sustainability Manager at Z Energy, looks at the recommendations in the Productivity Commission’s report and what they might mean for New Zealand.

Toyota New Zealand is on a pathway to lowering its fleet’s emissions and preparing for a zero-carbon future as recommended by the Productivity Commission’s final report on a low emissions economy.

“The actions our business has already started taking, demonstrate our commitment to action on climate change,” says Alistair Davis, the CEO of Toyota New Zealand. “We take our responsibilities to the environment seriously.”

When 60 CEOs of large New Zealand companies recently committed to a transition to a low emissions economy, some environmentalists were wary.

While prepared to take the CEOs at their word, many rightly said they were keen to see evidence of the commitment.That position is understandable. These companies are responsible for more than 50% of the nation’s greenhouse gas emissions. Despite this voluntary initiative, some may think the commercial world has appeared slow to turn around. It’s not for lack of desire. Everyone wants to be able to say they tried to leave the planet in better shape.

Otago Polytechnic continues to demonstrate its commitment to making a better world, becoming the first tertiary institution in New Zealand to join the Climate Leaders Coalition.

Source: Scoop
Auckland Airport employees are joining businesses across the airport precinct, local students and community groups, Auckland Council and government agencies over the next two days at a Million Trees / Matariki Tu Rākau community tree planting event on Puhinui Reserve in Wiri.

Source: Scoop
TIL Logistics Group welcomes the stance being taken by the coalition to drive positive change, with CEO Alan Pearson saying: “TIL is proud to be one of the first signatories of the Climate Leaders Coalition. We are committed to working together as part of the coalition to create a sustainable future for New Zealand and make it a great place to live and work – now and for future generations. This not only makes good sense for our country, but also good economic sense for our business.”

On a mission to reduce carbon emissions in New Zealand, 60 CEOs, including Stuff’s Sinead Boucher, have formed the Climate Leaders Coalition with the Sustainable Business Council, signing a joint statement committing their companies to action and demonstrating the role that business can play in bringing about change.

Kiwi Property has today joined more than 60 New Zealand companies to sign the Climate Change Statement and deliver a resounding message to corporate New Zealand and the world – the time is now for affirmative action on climate change.

Synlait has signed the CEO Climate Change statement released today by the Climate Leaders Coalition (NZX: SML; ASX: SM1).

Source: Stuff
KiwiRail chief executive Peter Reidy was one of 14 New Zealand chief executives who came together last year to look at what they could do about climate change. Along with 59 others, he has signed the CEO Climate Change Statement, aimed at reducing carbon emissions in New Zealand. He explains why.