New Zealand business leaders release sustainable growth blueprint

The Sustainable Business Council (SBC) and Climate Leaders Coalition (CLC) have released a joint policy blueprint ahead of New Zealand’s upcoming general election. The document outlines 20 business-led recommendations, highlighting five priority actions to foster sustainable economic growth and resilience. The organizations suggest that an innovation-led, low-emissions economy could potentially add between $22 billion and $33 billion to New Zealand’s annual GDP by 2035 and 2050, respectively.

In related sustainability developments, Auckland Council is issuing a $250 million three-year wholesale sustainability-linked bond supported by Westpac. This is the first in Australasia to include a nature-based target, specifically a pledge to plant 1 million native ngahere stems by 2027. Additionally, the Ministry for the Environment has published an independent report recommending a new climate adaptation framework to address flood and erosion risks.