Who’s who in the sustainability space
By Siobhan Leathley,
More and more Kiwi companies are cottoning onto the sustainability message, and there's no shortage of organisations in this space (although two of the big ones are about to become one). So just what do they all do, and whose interests do they have at heart?
New Zealand Business Council for Sustainable Development
Who: Has around 40 members with big names on board including Toyota, The Warehouse, HSBC, BNZ and Vector.
What: Providing business leadership and promoting eco-efficiency and responsible innovation. Part of the global network World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD). Membership is by invitation only.
Business NZ's Sustainable Business Forum:
Who: Founding members include Westpac and BNZ.
What: Established in 2009 to provide a platform for major companies to take a leadership role in defining sustainable business matters, rather than relying on government initiatives. Facilitates regular events, projects and publications.
Impending Sustainable Business Council:
Who: More than 49 large companies including Fonterra.
What: An amalgamation of the NZBCSD and the SBF. Will advance opportunities to work with BusinessNZ’s Major Companies Group and the 76,000 companies associated with BusinessNZ’s four affiliated regional organisations throughout the country, and continue existing projects from both groups.
Who: More than 400 members, ranging from Telecom and many councils down to SMEs. Consists of four regional boards and a national SBN board.
What: A non-profit founded by CEO Rachel Brown in 2002. Provides advice and support to help businesses become more sustainable, networking opportunities, training and sustainability assessments. Facilitates the Sustainable Business Network Awards and Sustainable City Showcase.
Who: Board includes biochemical scientist, entrepreneur and professor Garth Cooper. Members also include Dame Susan Devoy, chef Annabel Langbein, actor Sam Neill and professor David Williams.
What: A lobby group involved in research related to making New Zealand more sustainable.
NZ Centre for Sustainable Cities:
Who: Involves a number of researchers including Otago Universtity professor Philippa Howden-Chapman who acts as director. A number of universities are affiliated, including Auckland, Otago and Massey, as are various state agencies including councils and the NZTA.
What: An inter-disciplinary research centre involved in providing the research base for new solutions to economic, social and cultural development of urban centres. Funded by the Tertiary Education Commissioner and the Health Research Council of NZ.
Who: A programme established by by crown research institute Landcare Research in 2001.
What: Actively works with government and industry bodies to maximise the availability of carboNZero certification to as many organisations as possible and provides tools for individuals, organisations and events to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and their carbon footprint.
Who: A member of the World Green Building Council (WGBC) and the Construction Industry Council.
What: A non-profit industry organisation that sets the standards for best industry practice, including adapting and developing an environmental rating system. Also provides access to networks for information and global resources for members.
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