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News, views and upcoming events
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2021 a defining year for Covid and climate action
NZ's strategy for Covid-19 was to "go hard and go early" -  we must apply the same mindset to the challenge of climate change, and Climate Change Commission recommendations, rather than delay action any longer, says Mike Burrell in this piece for Newsroom. Mike also spoke to Jesse Mulligan on Thursday afternoon. 
Draft emissions reduction plan out next week
The Climate Change Commission will release its draft advice to Government for consultation this Sunday 31 January. SBC and CLC will be coordinating feedback from members, and more information will be sent out shortly. This Stuff backgrounder provides useful context, as does this Newsroom article
We start the year with member insights 
Thank you to everyone who joined us last night in both Auckland and Wellington for our Welcome to 2021 event. SBC chair Karen Silk led the panel discussion, including Marc England from Genesis, Alice Andrew from 4Sight Consulting, and David Benattar from The Warehouse Group with insights into what the year ahead may bring for our members. Video highlights will be available next week.
Have your say on the sustainability profession
Responses to the 2021 survey of sustainability professionals are coming in, to give us a picture of the challenges and opportunities that our New Zealand community faces. If you haven't already completed it, it takes 20-30 minutes, and closes on 12 February. We would love to hear from you. Complete the survey
Lessons for impact from Te Ao Māori 
How do you balance the need for profit with a long-term view of your community's wellbeing? Consider a tikanga-led approach, where the Māori world view guides your Impact Investing. NZTE and The Connective have prepared four new guides to help.
Unilever commits to raising up people
Unilever has announced a set of ambitious commitments and actions to help build a more equitable and inclusive society, including requiring suppliers to pay a living wage, promoting procurement from under-represented groups, and equipping young people with essential skills.  
Helping you to achieve impact
Are you a purpose-led business, looking for support to grow your impact? The Deloitte Impact Accelerator backs business as a force for good – supporting commercially sustainable ventures that are tackling social or environmental challenges to strengthen their impact with tailored packages of pro-bono advisory services. Applications are open now.
Electric vehicles can save NZers $15 billion
A new study from Concept identifies the major policy initiatives needed in relation to electric vehicles. The study has been supported by companies and organisations from across the electricity and motor vehicle industries, including Contact Energy, Genesis Energy, Meridian Energy, Orion, and Transpower.  
A chance for CFOs to lead the charge
This week we are launching our CFO and Sustainability training programme to Panui subscribers. Developed in partnership with Deloitte, this short course empowers CFOs to take the lead in managing climate change risk. Speakers for the first workshop on 1 March are Jonathan Mason (Director), Gillian O’Neil (GM Finance, Woolworths), and Mike Roan (CFO, Meridian).
Time is right to lean into leadership
Kirk Hope, CEO of BusinessNZ, completed the Sustainability Leadership Programme in 2020. In this case study, he thinks now is the optimal time for more business leaders to sign up. 
Find out more at our online session on 5 February or in Auckland on 2 March.  
Reporting corner 
AA Insurance has released its inaugural Corporate Social Responsibility report, showcasing a strong focus on its people and sharing the results of measuring its first year of carbon emissions. 
Job opportunities 
Join the SBC team
Wellington - Executive Assistant - apply by 1 Feb
SBC events
We are monitoring Covid-19 developments closely and will advise of any changes to upcoming events.  

Sustainability Leadership Programme - Free Taster Session for Pānui subscribers
Online | Friday 5 February, 10-11am
Join Catapult and SBC for an engaging online taster session of our flagship Sustainability Leadership Programme.

Register and more information
Lunchtime Taster Session
Westpac, Auckland | Tuesday 2nd March, 12:30 – 1:30pm 

Register 

BusinessNZ and Climate Change Commission Consultation Events
Wellington | Tuesday 9 February, 9am-12pm *waitlist only 
Auckland | Friday 12 February, 9am-12pm *filling fast
Invercargill | Monday 15 February, 8am-9am 
Dunedin | Tuesday 16 February, 9am-12pm 
Christchurch | Wednesday 17 February, 1pm-4pm 

The draft first package of advice will lay out the pathways needed to reach net zero emissions by 2050. It includes the country’s first three emissions budgets and guidance on the direction of the first emissions reduction plan.
Register and more information

Leading the Charge: The CFO Climate & Sustainability 2021 Programme
Auckland | Starting Monday 1 March
The
CFO and Sustainability training programme is open to Panui subscribers. Developed in partnership with Deloitte, this short course empowers CFOs to take the lead in managing climate change risk. It builds on our 2020 pilot programme developed specifically at the request of CFOs and shaped by their insights.
Register and more information 

Save the date: Better Futures Report Launch Event 
Auckland and livestreamed | Tuesday 2 March, 4.30pm-6.30pm
Open to SBC members. Developed in partnership with SBC and Colmar Brunton, the Better Futures report takes a deep dive into the social and environmental issues that matter the most to Kiwis. This year includes a focus on how COVID-19 has impacted our views. More information will be sent out shortly. 
Other sustainability events

Reporting on Climate Risks: Get started 
Webinar | Thursday 11 February, 11:30am
Is your organisation prepared for the likely cost of climate change? Whether you want a quick refresher or are entirely new to the world of TCFD reporting, thinkstep-anz’s webinar series with the Climate Disclosure Standards Board (CDSB) will help you take the first steps. 

Register and more information

Climate Emergency – what’s next for our cities? 
Auckland | Thursday 11 February, 5.30-7.30pm
The first NZGBC Future Thinkers event of the year will be a panel discussion on the recent declaration of a climate emergency here in Aotearoa and what this means for our cities, covering carbon and buildings, water sensitive urban design, transport, and construction and demolition waste.

Register and more information

Climate change and yoga workshop
Birkenhead, Auckland | Sunday 21 February, 1.30-3.30pm
Join our very own Jay Crangle for an interactive and inclusive afternoon on the positive climate change actions we can achieve through yoga. Koha with all proceeds to youth-led climate action groups Te Ara Whatu & Generation Zero.

Register and more information.  

Start Your Carbon Zero Business Journey 
Webinar | Wednesday 24 February, 3 & 10 March | 10.30am – 11.30am
Join The Canterbury Employers’ Chamber of Commerce in February to start your carbon journey, this practical webinar series will educate your team on carbon emissions, why and what the role of business is, where to start and what to do. The Carbon Zero Series is made up of three consecutive sessions. You can watch live at your own time on demand if you can't make all three. 

Register and more information.  

NZ HR Awards Ceremony
Auckland and livestreamed | Thursday 4 March 
The NZ HR Awards celebrate exceptional HR professionals. Finalists include BNZ, Chorus, Fonterra, SkyCity and the NZ Institute for Plant and Food Research. 

Register and more information

HR Virtual Summit
Online | Thursday 18 March 
This Virtual Summit provides a focus on navigating your workplace through COVID-19 in 2021 – and helping you to build your 2021 Covid-19 HR Roadmap.

Register and more information

Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Award Gala
Auckland | Wednesday 31 March 
The Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Awards honour those who use their passion to make our country a better place.

More information
More information about SBC events. For other low emissions events see the Climate Leaders Coalition events calendar.

Please send your Pānui stories (30 words plus image) to
sbccomms@businessnz.org.nz 
28 January 2021