Rachel Brown is founder and CEO of the Sustainable Business Network and has played a critical role in advancing sustainability over the past 15 years. As a regular presenter, collaborator and driver of action within our communities, Rachel is committed to the role that business plays in transforming the New Zealand economy into one that is both smarter and more sustainable.
A land where people live in warm, dry houses and eat healthy, local food. Where they get around using a range of car-share and publicly available, affordable electric cars, buses and trains, or walk and cycle because our cities are designed for people. Where our streets are clean, oceans are protected and native birds and plants thrive. A place where no resource is wasted. And where people, government and business have built a good standard of living by innovating, exporting and leading the world in sustainable solutions.
That’s a future picture of New Zealand few would argue with. It’s also what we mean by sustainability. At its roots, sustainability is a system-wide vision that encompasses people, environment, and economy. It’s about creating a better world for everyone – and businesses are key to this future.
What’s driving sustainability?
By 2050 we will have more than 9 billion people on this planet. This has massive implications for all of us including growing competition for resources (fuel, food, forests and water), climate change and more. While New Zealanders have always placed great value on our environment, over the past decade our preferences and behaviours have seen an even greater shift in that direction push for sustainability, at both business and consumer level.
Growing environmental and social concern is driving buyers’ choices, particularly new graduates or Millennials (Gen Y), according to research by Colmar Brunton. Instead of buying from or working for high polluting or ‘unethical’ companies, they’re choosing to support more ethical alternatives. Anything from half to three quarters of those surveyed said that sustainability influences their buying choices. Choosing not to respond to that will put businesses at a real disadvantage.
So while business has the ‘smarts’ and the speed to make this world a better place, both for us and future generations, leadership here is critical. Take the transition to a low carbon future, for example. Even as the Trump administration threatens to pull out of the Paris Agreement on climate change, other nations and thought leaders and businesses are pushing forward. These businesses, communities and individuals are continuing to drive real change, locally and globally.
New Zealand businesses, in particular, understand the competitive benefits of acting sustainably. According to a survey by The University of Auckland Business School published in October 2016, our businesses see sustainability as a driver of innovation and future growth. And this is being led right from the top – from the chief executive and the board.
Many of these Kiwi businesses are already adopting new, more sustainable ways of operating and are thriving as a result. Mike and Sharon Barton established Taupo Beef to see if people would pay a premium for beef helping to preserve Lake Taupo. As well as trialling new low-nitrogen leaching methods, more than 20 per cent of farmland is set aside for conservation and river bank plantings. The Barton’s believe shoppers can be encouraged to make better buying choices in order to support change. The result? Demand has consistently exceeded supply. Taupo Beef won the Supreme Award at the 2015 NZI Sustainable Business Network Awards for their efforts and sales rocketed as a result.
From small business to large corporate, Air New Zealand was the 2016 Supreme Award winner at the NZI Sustainable Business Network Awards, proving that size is no barrier to forward-thinking. The company’s very public commitment has had a big impact on the speed and uptake of sustainable practices from other businesses. Right now, they’re setting a fantastic example of just how possible it is to set big aspirations – and working hard to meet or ideally exceed them.
What steps can businesses take?
There are so many ways businesses can create a positive social and environmental impact, from focusing on operational efficiencies and managing resources efficiently, to reducing wastage and educating themselves on sustainable issues. Making changes like these will have a positive effect on employees and the environment, but it can also positively impact the bottom line, as well as the reputation of a business.
At the basic level, employers can make sure staff are paid a living wage, have good working conditions, and enjoy a healthy work-life balance. But businesses also have the opportunity to add to New Zealand’s great renewable energy initiatives by shifting to electric vehicles, reducing their fleet, cutting back on carbon emissions, or joining car share schemes. Add to this the impact a business can have through decision-making around energy efficiency, packaging or community involvement, and the scope for growth is huge.
We all have a part to play in making New Zealand a more sustainable nation. So with that in mind, here are five practical things your business can do:
1. Get smarter with transport
You can drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions by using biofuels over petrol or diesel, looking into buying an electric car, or using car-sharing schemes like MyCarYourRental, Your Drive, or Cityhop. And if you need to take a taxi, use companies like Green Cabs or Uber. But even electric cars won’t stop traffic congestion so if you can, it’s worth ditching the car in favour of walking or cycling. Electric bikes make it easy to get around without building up a sweat.
2. Put your money where your ethics are
Every dollar makes a difference, so make sure you spend yours wisely to support ‘good’ businesses. Is your coffee fair-trade or ethical? Is your food made locally with natural ingredients? Do you know where your KiwiSaver provider is investing? Check out the Sustainable Business Directory to find a sustainable supplier in your area.
3. Save energy
Saving energy goes way beyond switching off the lights and equipment at the end of the day. You can make real energy reductions – and financial savings – simply by being smarter with your energy use. Check out the information and tools on the Energy Efficiency & Conservation Authority’s website.
4. Support cleaner waterways
New Zealanders really care about keeping our oceans, lakes, and rivers pristine. So why not help clean up our waterways by donating to a planting programme like the Million Metres Streams Project.
5. Get involved
It’s always great to take part in some of the great local activities in your area. It’s also great to get your business community involved in your sustainable efforts. So ask your staff, customers and suppliers what they think your biggest environmental or social issues are, then form a plan alongside those people, to turn any negative issues into positives.
How the Sustainable Business Network can help
The Sustainable Business Network is New Zealand’s largest and longest-standing organisation that helps businesses with sustainability.
Our vision is an Aotearoa where businesses innovate and collaborate to solve some of the world’s most pressing challenges. Our role is to help our members do better business by looking after their communities and the environment and growing their business as a result. Above all, we support them to be bold and transformational to help create a better New Zealand for us all. To find out more, please visit Sustainable Business Network