We’re told the economy and the environment are locked in a trade-off. Autex’s Jonathan Mountfort says that’s a false choice, and shows how circular thinking is already building a healthier version of both.
Discover practical tips to build trust through authentic sustainability communication, and examples of businesses leading the way.
New research into Kiwi businesses and their efforts to deal with modern slavery has found that many are oblivious to the role of forced labour and child labour in their production processes. Even fewer are taking steps to address the issue. The World Vision New Zealand report, Risky Business: A Modern Slavery Risk Profile of New Zealand Businesses, reveals that many businesses don’t know where their products are being made, who is making them, or whether modern slavery is involved. World Vision New Zealand’s Head of Advocacy and Justice, Rebekah Armstrong, says the research is an indictment of New Zealand’s commitment to human rights and justice. “Most Kiwi businesses have not taken any steps to address modern slavery in their
A survey of nearly 300 business owners and leaders across New Zealand has revealed 79 percent are implementing sustainable business practices – but there’s room for improvement. Michael Worth, Grant Thornton New Zealand’s Sustainability & Impact Lead says that while efforts to become more sustainable are commendable, now is the time to for businesses to up the ante as the impacts of climate change continue to diminish the resources they use to deliver products and services. “More than three quarters of the businesses we surveyed are taking action which is outstanding, however many are starting with low hanging fruit like reduced energy consumption (57%) and travel (49%). “That’s understandable when the ways in which companies can tackle sustainability continue to
Businesses that have deprioritised climate action due to economic concerns, are missing the win-win, according to business leaders already on their journey. New research from EECA, the agency that backs Gen Less, has revealed three key things standing between businesses and climate action. The latest insights from EECA’s Business Monitor has identified that even businesses who want to take climate actions can feel stuck. From the research the biggest barriers perceived are: cost, finding it too hard to start, and an overall lack of knowledge. “Businesses are understandably distracted by economic concerns and other competing pressures right now. But our research shows that they are falling out of step with how Kiwis are feeling,” says EECA’s GM of Marketing and
Cutting climate change action after the cyclone is like accelerating away from a crash with your wheels wobbling. Business needs better long-term leadership, writes Andy Kenworthy. Business owners around the country are still counting the cost of Cyclone Gabrielle. Its severity and the increased frequency of such events are symptoms of climate change. For decades we’ve been warned of the oncoming storms. Now they have come crashing into our lives. But the political response has been to cut climate change initiatives. This is stacking up uncertainty and long-term risks in the way of progress. As journalist Bernard Hickey put it: “Isn’t this the rainy day we’ve been saving for?” Apparently not. So far, the government has binned the Sustainable Biofuels
A free online toolbox that makes it easy for businesses to assess the sustainability of their organisation and their supply chain has been launched. Docket has been created by a public-private partnership, led by the Sustainable Business Network (SBN). It helps businesses check and improve their performance in six key areas of sustainability. About 70 percent of a business’s sustainability impact comes from its supply chain, says Holly Norton, Regenerative Design Lead at SBN. “Whether you are a small-scale supplier or a corporate buying from others, Docket can help you cut carbon emissions, reduce waste, regenerate nature, keep workers healthy and safe, uphold workers’ rights and eliminate modern slavery,” she says. “There are about 546,000 small businesses in Aotearoa New
Restoring our waterways and landscapes must be a business imperative and it’s time to get involved, writes Andy Kenworthy. Knowing when to invest is a key skill in business. People, equipment and facilities can all get run down. Taking timely action avoids reduced performance or even breakdowns. Unfortunately, the fabric of Aotearoa New Zealand has been getting run down for some time now. It’s time to act. The transformation of these islands into this nation has come at great cost. Three quarters of the indigenous forest has been cut down. More than 90 percent of the wetlands in this country have been drained and destroyed. Today, around 4,000 species are at risk and more than three quarters of our freshwater
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