Join SBC

The value of membership

We support members to be at the forefront of sustainability by:

  • Creating a community of like-minded businesses;
  • Providing a platform for members to express their leadership;
  • Celebrating sustainable business success;
  • Convening impactful projects and collaborations;
  • Brokering relationships between members;
  • Providing support, tools and capability building; and
  • Thought leadership on local and global best practice and emerging trends, including consumer insights.

We act on behalf of our members on climate action and ensuring New Zealanders thrive in a renewed economy. We do this through:

  • Providing a clear, consistent and reputable voice for sustainable business;
  • Partnering with other organisations on issues that help achieve our vision; And
  • Leveraging our relationship with the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD).

We deliver impact by championing our members to be at the leading-edge of sustainability and in doing so inspire other businesses to take action.

You can contact SBC at any time to ask about membership. The membership process involves review of your application by the SBC Advisory Board and payment of an annual membership fee. We ask each member to fulfil member commitments.

SBC Member Commitments

A member must seek to actively demonstrate leadership in sustainable business and share a commitment to the balanced pursuit of economic growth, ecological integrity and social progress.

We ask members to support the work of the SBC through making available in-house competence and human resources and committing to:

From the start of membership

  • Each year, provide SBC with a summary on that member’s progress in implementing sustainable business practices, if not already reporting publicly on sustainability.
  • Respond to any reasonable and relevant request for information from the Advisory Board that is not commercially sensitive.
  • Have the Council Member (who is the CEO or their direct report) attend at least one SBC meeting or event each year.

Within two years of membership

  • Participate in at least one SBC initiative or project.
  • Produce a sustainability report, integrated report or public account demonstrating sustainability activity, plans and performance.
  • Begin to measure the carbon footprint of its New Zealand operations, and report progress on this to the SBC.

Within three years of membership

  • Report to the SBC on plans to reduce the carbon intensity of its New Zealand operations.
  • Report to the SBC on the organisation’s sustainable procurement practices and processes.

These commitments are important because they set clear goals for each member to aim for if they want to become more sustainable and they also help SBC members collectively demonstrate what sustainability best practice is to the New Zealand business sector.

The Sustainable Business Council reserves the right to exit a member if they continually fail to meet these member commitments, and show no intention to meet them within a reasonable time.

SBC Members

We deliver impact by championing our members to be at the leading-edge of sustainability and in doing so inspire other businesses to take action.

SBC Work Programme

Our work programme focuses on our five key pillars. We advocate for change in these areas and support projects led by SBC member businesses.

SBC Membership

Learn more about how to join, and the benefits of membership.

Download the flyer

Membership Enquiries

Membership fees

Fees are based on annual turnover

$0 – $5 million: $2,500
$5 – 10 million: $5,000
$10 – 50 million: $10,000
$50 million+: $20,000 (reduced to $17,500 for members of BusinessNZ’s Major Companies’ Group)

For associate membership fees, please contact us.

Membership policies

The Sustainable Business Council believes the laws of New Zealand are a reflection of the ethical standards held by the substantial majority of New Zealanders

Therefore, the Sustainable Business Council will not invite organisations to join as a member if they or their parent company engage in activities that would be illegal if carried out in New Zealand.

Mike Burrell, Executive Director, talks about what to expect when you join SBC

Business, people and nature
thriving together

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