Held at Aotea Centre on the 19th and 20th of September, the Climate Change and Business Conference (CCBC) provided a platform for business leaders to discuss concrete actions being taken to accelerate our transition to a net zero emissions and climate-resilient future.
Scientists and climate experts gave stark updates about the urgent need for emissions reductions this decade. They called for people to act with a global mind-set, recognising that climate change does not adhere to national borders. As Climate Change Ambassador Kay Harrison said, “Tough decisions will need to be made between our own adaptation and overseas mitigation.”
The notable shift from climate ambition to climate action was a key theme. Participants noted this year marks a milestone for climate action because of the release of the national adaptation plan and emissions reduction plan.
When you are faced with an issue like climate change, nothing can ever happen fast enough.
Collaboration was a key theme of the event, and one panellist noted that in the move to collaboration, we need to dissolve any lingering distrust between public and private sectors, and work together for a common cause. The Aotearoa Circle, for which MfE is a partner, was highlighted as an example of a group that offers forums for business leaders to talk and collaborate with people from different sectors.
"People in government are working with urgency, but effective and enduring solutions can't be ones only government designs. We need to work with businesses, communities and mana whenua to innovate and adapt" said Katherine Wilson, Director of Climate Change Evidence and Adaptation for the Ministry for the Environment.
She continued, “We encourage businesses to take advantage of the data and tools already available to make a start in their plans and actions for climate adaptation.”
Adrian Orr, Governor for the Reserve Bank of New Zealand noted that capital is flowing away from investments that are not sustainable toward those that are.
“There is money to be made at the forefront of adaptation. The next three-to-five years will see a wealth of climate-related information increasing transparency come to the fore,” said Orr.
Caroline Lambert of the European Union (EU) detailed how the EU is putting trade at the centre of climate policy, with EU financial institutions seeking out suppliers that have a lighter impact on the environment. She emphasised that Māori businesses set the gold standard internationally, particularly by emphasising the distinct and intimate connection between the people and the land.
Speaking on voluntary carbon markets and off-setting at CCBC, Belinda Van Eyndhoven, Head of Sustainability at Westpac had this advice for companies:
“There is a way companies can credibly offset. Businesses can set a gross emissions target that is science aligned and reduce their own emissions as far as possible. Then, be very clear about the process you have taken to offset.”
She continued, “Make sure the offsets are of a high integrity and use the principles in the Ministry for the Environment guidance to help you determine high quality offsets. Be careful what you claim and be very transparent.”
Vicky Robertson, secretary for the environment, discussed the new Climate Change Chief Executive Board that will provide oversight of the Government’s response to climate change.
“The creation of the Climate Change Chief Executives Board is a new way of working, one that cuts through government silos, and also will work with Māori, communities and businesses”, said Vicky Robertson. “The Board will have an ongoing adaptive management approach to the climate crisis. This is a different way of working, and one that will allow us to take advantage of innovations and technologies, and to adapt as new information and data becomes available.”
The youth panel on climate solutions spoke on the importance of having rangatahi in involved in policy and projects, as representatives of the long-term impacts of policy design.
Agricultural businesses discussed how to reduce climate pollution (gross emissions) by switching from fossil fuels to biomass and electricity, and by making their systems and programmes of work more efficient.
“We need to decarbonise now while allowing flexibility within our plans to adopt new technology” says Linda Mulvihill, head of Energy and Climate at Fonterra.
The Ministry for the Environment (MfE), in partnership with the Environmental Defence Society, Sustainable Business Council and Climate Leaders Coalition, sponsored this year’s Climate Change and Business Conference.