Chief Executive of the Sustainable Business Council (SBC) and Climate Leaders Coalition (CLC) Mike Burrell says transitioning to a low-emissions and climate resilient economy presents vast opportunities for innovation, investment, and long-term resilience. “We recently crossed a symbolic threshold,” says Burrell.

“We are now closer to 2050 than the year 2000. For business, this isn’t just a calendar milestone, it’s a wake-up call. Climate strategy is no longer optional, it’s central to New Zealand's economic credibility.”

Burrell’s comments come as global momentum for climate action continues to accelerate. A recent report from the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), of which SBC is the only New Zealand based partner of, found that:

• 91% of global business leaders have maintained or increased net-zero investments in the past year

• 56% cited long-term competitiveness as the main driver

• 94% said supportive policies are critical to investment decisions

• 96% believe governments must stay committed to net-zero goals

“These figures show that in the face of rising uncertainty, international corporates aren’t stepping back from the transition, they’re leaning in, because they realise it makes good economic sense to do so,” Burrell says. 

“New Zealand must do the same. Losing momentum now would not only jeopardise our climate goals, but also our trade relationships, business competitiveness, and economic future.”

Burrell says SBC and CLC businesses see and understand this. They are maintaining efforts to build their organisational resilience and continuing to lead from the front by investing in climate action and innovating to develop solutions to some of our biggest climate challenges. 

“From developing wind and solar farms, to replacing coal fire operations with electric options, offering sustainability linked finance choices, investing in research to support breeding climate-smart livestock, allocating capital to climate focused projects and slashing emissions as fast as they can electrify their fleets. Our members are looking for, and importantly, delivering climate focused solutions and innovations right across their businesses,” says Burrell. 

“Our businesses are not just talking about change; they’re actively driving it.” 

Burrell says New Zealand stands poised to benefit fulsomely from a transition to a low-emissions and climate resilient economy and encourages all business leaders to focus on the economic opportunities resulting from such a shift.

“Recent reports from PwC, the Boston Consulting Group and the Productivity Commission have all highlighted the economic potential of the transition. Now is the time for business and government to harness these economic advantages and ensure a future where all New Zealanders can thrive.”

Climate insights, practical solutions and innovations will be a key focus of a powerful line up of international and local speakers at next month’s Climate Change and Business Conference, taking place in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland on 8-9 September.

Delivered by partnership by SBC, CLC and the Environmental Defence Society (EDS), the conference is the largest and longest running climate and business event of its kind. For more information on the programme and to register go to www.climateandbusiness.com.