Climate news content | IoD NZ

type: Climate
date: 04/12/25

Sustainability business survey: insights for directors

Sustainability business survey: insights for directors

The 2023 report from the Sustainable Business Network (SBN), Sustainability in Aotearoa New Zealand’s Corporates, examines the…

Climate change
ESG
Stakeholders

type: Climate
date: 26/11/25

Boardroom Premium

When the language changes: from climate to energy

When the language changes: from climate to energy

In the US, the language has shifted. What directors say (and don’t say) reflects evolving pressures and priorities.

Climate change

type: Climate
date: 14/11/25

ANTHEM

Muted voices: how greenhushing and media cuts stall climate conversations

Muted voices: how greenhushing and media cuts stall climate conversations

As boards and media go quiet on climate, directors must find new ways to communicate sustainability with clarity and credibility.

Climate change
From our sponsors
Reporting

type: Climate
date: 14/11/25

HOBSON LEAVY

Capability in the climate era: Are boards ready for what’s next?

Capability in the climate era: Are boards ready for what’s next?

A pulse survey at the 2025 IoD and Chapter Zero NZ Climate Forum revealed how directors are building confidence, competence and capacity.

Climate change
From our sponsors

type: Climate
date: 14/11/25

ASB

Don’t centralise sustainability – embed it: Michael Kobori at Chapter Zero

Don’t centralise sustainability – embed it: Michael Kobori at Chapter Zero

At Chapter Zero NZ’s final 2025 event, global corporate sustainability leader Michael Kobori shared lessons from Levi’s and Starbucks.

From our sponsors
Leadership

type: Climate
date: 13/11/25

Climate as a brand hygiene factor

In 2025, directors and boards have an opportunity to leverage climate-focused regulations and international frameworks, turning compliance…

Climate change

type: Climate
date: 11/11/25

Rebuilding resilience: Canterbury Linen Services turns crisis into climate leadership

Rebuilding resilience: Canterbury Linen Services turns crisis into climate leade...

A devastating quake forced CLS to rethink its future, creating one of Aotearoa’s most efficient industrial laundries.

Climate change

type: Climate
date: 30/10/25

Changes to climate reporting drive complex choices for directors

Changes to climate reporting drive complex choices for directors

Fewer firms must report, but directors should assess if stopping is the right call, given stakeholder expectations and future regulation.

Director duties
Reporting

type: Climate
date: 28/10/25

Climate and corporate risk: Michael Kobori responds to the ‘woke’ question

Climate and corporate risk: Michael Kobori responds to the ‘woke’ question

Was this discussion of climate change too hot, too cold – or just right?

type: Climate
date: 23/10/25

Getting started with sustainability reporting: lessons from practice and leadership

Getting started with sustainability reporting: lessons from practice and leaders...

Four leaders share how they’ve navigated early steps, built engagement and kept reporting grounded in strategy.

Climate change
Director duties

type: Climate
date: 17/10/25

Coffee, jeans and ‘woke’ capitalism

Coffee, jeans and ‘woke’ capitalism

The globally renowned Michael Kobori is coming down under to talk up sustainability.

Climate change

type: Climate
date: 08/10/25

Mobilising finance for a low-carbon future: Lessons from Lord Adair Turner

Mobilising finance for a low-carbon future: Lessons from Lord Adair Turner

You don’t need to predict every detail – but as a director, you must be prepared for the transition ahead.

Climate change
Director duties

type: Climate
date: 26/09/25

Business at risk: How does your company stack up against “1.5 degrees for nature?”

Business at risk: How does your company stack up against “1.5 degrees for nature...

Boards that embed nature into decisions will be better placed to manage regulatory change – but what does this look like in practice?

Climate change

type: Climate
date: 26/09/25

From policy to practice: transition planning as a boardroom imperative

From policy to practice: transition planning as a boardroom imperative

Boards are under growing pressure to deliver credible climate strategies. Transition planning is where governance meets execution.

Climate change
Reporting

type: Climate
date: 25/09/25

Running toward the hard conversations: Agriculture and climate resilience

Running toward the hard conversations: Agriculture and climate resilience

Boards must connect the paddock and the plan – climate change demands long-term thinking.

Climate change
Innovation

type: Climate
date: 25/09/25

Climate investment in New Zealand: building the foundations

Climate investment in New Zealand: building the foundations

A new investor survey reveals growing board-level engagement with climate issues, but action and capital flow into solutions remain limited.

Climate change

type: Climate
date: 10/09/25

Climate reporting across the Tasman: Lessons for New Zealand boards

Climate reporting across the Tasman: Lessons for New Zealand boards

Australia’s climate-reporting curve shows why oversight matters most – and how we should respond.

Climate change
Reporting

type: Climate
date: 05/09/25

From subsidy to stake: Washington’s quiet ESG paradox

From subsidy to stake: Washington’s quiet ESG paradox

Washington decries ESG, then buys 10% of Intel to lock in jobs, security and chip factories. Industrial policy now comes with equity.

ESG

type: Climate
date: 28/08/25

Climate compliance or climate stewardship? The choice boards must make

Climate compliance or climate stewardship? The choice boards must make

Directors must lead climate disclosure from duty, not just regulation, to build trust and long-term value.

Climate change
Director duties
Reporting

type: Climate
date: 27/08/25

It’s that simple: Ask better questions on nature

It’s that simple: Ask better questions on nature

Boards that lead on nature are building resilience, anticipating change and unlocking new value.

Climate change

type: Climate
date: 21/08/25

Summerset: Building sustainable futures in aged care

Summerset: Building sustainable futures in aged care

Solar, AI and low-carbon design – Summerset’s board is backing innovation to lead aged care into a climate-resilient future.

Climate change
Innovation

type: Climate
date: 19/08/25

Dentons

Directors in the firing line for environmental non-compliance

Directors in the firing line for environmental non-compliance

Directors have been found personally liable, alongside their companies, for breaching Resource Management Act enforcement orders.

Accountability
Director duties
From our sponsors

type: Climate
date: 12/08/25

Heat below, flight above: How New Zealand is reimagining energy

Heat below, flight above: How New Zealand is reimagining energy

Kennie Tsui CMInstD and Kiri Hannifin help lead Aotearoa’s energy shift—from skies to steam—to shape our smarter future.

Climate change
Innovation

type: Climate
date: 31/07/25

Action over anxiety: why climate-conscious boards are on safer legal ground

Action over anxiety: why climate-conscious boards are on safer legal ground

Daniel Street urges directors to prioritise climate governance – and not be paralysed by fear of litigation.

Climate change

type: Climate
date: 18/07/25

The climate pendulum will swing back – harder

The climate pendulum will swing back – harder

Directors should act now to mitigate harsher regulation and reputational risk later.

Climate change
ESG

type: Climate
date: 17/07/25

Is your board ready for nature risk? What directors need to know

Is your board ready for nature risk? What directors need to know

Directors in New Zealand and Australia must now govern financially material nature risks – and ensure boards respond appropriately.

Climate change

type: Climate
date: 16/07/25

Positioning your board for a net-zero economy

Positioning your board for a net-zero economy

Most global firms are doubling down on climate action. New Zealand boards must keep pace or risk falling behind.

Climate change

type: Climate
date: 15/07/25

The price of inaction: When the weather hits the balance sheet

The price of inaction: When the weather hits the balance sheet

Clean-up costs are mounting. Prevention is clear. Boards must act now to protect value, credibility and long-term resilience.

Climate change

type: Climate
date: 14/07/25

Protecting 100% Pure New Zealand

Protecting 100% Pure New Zealand

Tourism’s climate reckoning shows how adaptation builds trust – or loses it.

Climate change

type: Climate
date: 14/07/25

Beyond the runway: How CIAL is leading climate action in aviation

Beyond the runway: How CIAL is leading climate action in aviation

Christchurch Airport shows climate leadership is possible – even in hard-to-abate sectors – with strong governance and partnerships.

Climate change

type: Climate
date: 24/06/25

Seize the power

Seize the power

The lower unit costs of self-generated electricity will save your business money, if you do it right.

Climate change

type: Climate
date: 23/06/25

The real business risk is ignoring sustainability

The real business risk is ignoring sustainability

Directors who ignore climate, nature or human rights risks may overlook serious threats to capital, continuity and competitiveness.

Climate change

type: Climate
date: 23/06/25

Supply chain disruption puts governance to the test

Supply chain disruption puts governance to the test

Freight, ethics, cyber, reputation – directors must lead with foresight, not just react when critical links start to fail.

Climate change
Supply chains

type: Climate
date: 17/06/25

Built to last: Infrastructure governance needs a hard reset

Built to last: Infrastructure governance needs a hard reset

NZ is ‘sweating’ its infrastructure beyond design life. A new report says the fix lies not just in engineering, but in governance.

Climate change

type: Climate
date: 16/06/25

Why climate planning beats disclosure compliance

Why climate planning beats disclosure compliance

Directors should prioritise transition planning as a strategic asset – not just a disclosure task.

Climate change
Reporting

type: Climate
date: 13/06/25

Changing minds, changing outcomes

Changing minds, changing outcomes

Directors must align leadership, systems and incentives to shape behaviour and enable climate action through effective governance.

Climate change

type: Climate
date: 08/06/25

From strategy to structure: Why governance must lead on low-carbon circular design

From strategy to structure: Why governance must lead on low-carbon circular desi...

Real change in construction starts early. Boards must govern emissions and circularity from the design stage – not just set targets.

Climate change

type: Climate
date: 23/05/25

KPMG

Sustainability reporting: A tale of two jurisdictions

Sustainability reporting: A tale of two jurisdictions

Regulation or market pressure? Both can impact how reporting is delivered.

Climate change
From our sponsors
Reporting

type: Climate
date: 21/05/25

Turning data into boardroom decisions

Turning data into boardroom decisions

The latest environmental report urges boards to use climate data for practical oversight, adaptation planning and governance action.

Climate change

type: Climate
date: 21/05/25

It’s not just what you say – why framing climate strategy matters

It’s not just what you say – why framing climate strategy matters

In a polarised world, language can drive or derail your climate agenda. Directors need to speak the language of value, not just virtue.

Climate change
ESG

type: Climate
date: 21/05/25

Backing the next generation

Backing the next generation

We talk about building for the future – but how often do we engage with the people who will actually live in it?

Climate change
Leadership

type: Climate
date: 21/05/25

Step up, speak out: What consumers want from boards on climate and sustainability

Step up, speak out: What consumers want from boards on climate and sustainabilit...

Cost of living, climate action, trust and leadership—this year’s Better Futures report is a wake-up call for boards in a polycrisis.

Climate change
ESG

type: Climate
date: 29/04/25

Competing in the age of disruption

Competing in the age of disruption

Boards have a golden opportunity – to reimagine governance, rewire value and shape the next economic chapter.

Climate change
Leadership

type: Climate
date: 23/04/25

Climate-related risks increasingly factored into financial reporting

Climate-related risks increasingly factored into financial reporting

New research shows how the effects of climate-related risks are being reflected in financial statements.

Climate change
Director duties
Reporting

type: Climate
date: 07/04/25

Why brands should care about climate change

Why brands should care about climate change

Not long ago a sustainable future felt like a shared destination. Climate action was trending, and the business case for purpose-led brands…

Climate change
Director duties

type: Climate
date: 01/04/25

Tackling the climate crisis and growth go hand in hand

Tackling the climate crisis and growth go hand in hand

Climate Minister Simon Watts expects investment in climate action to generate economic benefits.

Climate change

type: Climate
date: 28/03/25

Weathering the storm

Weathering the storm

The devastating wildfires in California have once again placed climate-related risks at the forefront of discussions in boardrooms…

Climate change

type: Climate
date: 25/03/25

The business case for nature-based solutions

The business case for nature-based solutions

In a world shaped by climate risks, nature-based solutions are not only environmentally beneficial but financially sound investments.

Climate change

type: Climate
date: 25/03/25

Embedding sustainability in the boardroom

Embedding sustainability in the boardroom

Considering sustainability builds long-term value and is a legal duty of directors, yet many boards still struggle to be proactive.

Climate change

type: Climate
date: 23/03/25

Transition planning: credibility is in the eye of the shareholder

Transition planning: credibility is in the eye of the shareholder

Recently, particularly in the US, there has been a rising legal and policy backlash against investors using environmental, social and…

Climate change

type: Climate
date: 12/03/25

The changing landscape of climate regulation and litigation

The changing landscape of climate regulation and litigation

The regulatory and litigation landscape for climate governance is shifting at an unprecedented pace. For directors, understanding the risks…

Climate change

type: Climate
date: 03/03/25

Phoenix achieves measurable, structured emissions reductions

Phoenix achieves measurable, structured emissions reductions

A strategic approach with a focus on one factor at a time has begun paying off in terms of carbon emissions reductions.

Climate change

type: Climate
date: 27/02/25

Capital markets reform submission supports reassessment of liability provisions

Capital markets reform submission supports reassessment of liability provisions

Chapter Zero New Zealand made a submission on proposed changes to the climate-related disclosures regime.

Climate change
Liability

type: Climate
date: 27/02/25

KPMG

A director’s guide to greenhouse gas accounting

A director’s guide to greenhouse gas accounting

Understanding greenhouse gas accounting can help boards find a competitive edge.

Climate change
From our sponsors
Reporting

type: Climate
date: 27/02/25

Embedding climate-related metrics in executive remuneration

Embedding climate-related metrics in executive remuneration

As organisations face growing pressure to integrate climate-related objectives into their core strategies and deliver on climate…

Climate change

type: Climate
date: 24/02/25

The importance of asset management: steering towards safety and sustainability

The importance of asset management: steering towards safety and sustainability

As I pen this article, my partner is at our local Vehicle Testing New Zealand facility, diligently overseeing the process of obtaining a…

Climate change

type: Climate
date: 29/01/25

Channel: Transition is good for the planet – and business

Channel: Transition is good for the planet – and business

Cutting our climate impact—and helping others do so—guides all we do, says Channel Infrastructure chair James Miller.

Climate change

type: Climate
date: 29/01/25

Saving the planet from plastics

Saving the planet from plastics

The debate on plastics focuses on cutting use, but this narrow view ignores the urgent need to curb fossil-fuel-based plastic production.

Climate change

type: Climate
date: 16/01/25

Global Risks Report warns of a critical shift

Global Risks Report warns of a critical shift

Compounding effects of climate change and pollution highlight the need for a broad-based approach to risk governance.

Climate change
Crisis management
Health and safety

type: Climate
date: 13/01/25

Emissions reductions: doing the basics better

Emissions reductions: doing the basics better

Unlocking opportunities requires climate governance that is proactive, informed and courageous.

Climate change

type: Climate
date: 10/01/25

Accelerating business investment for a competitive future

Accelerating business investment for a competitive future

Effective climate governance could give you a competitive edge.

Climate change

type: Climate
date: 07/01/25

Climate change: practise the crisis plan

Climate change: practise the crisis plan

Scheduling regular reviews and rehearsals that stress-test a climate crisis communications plan can help organisations reduce the risk of…

Climate change
From our sponsors

type: Climate
date: 18/12/24

Legislation and liability: Striking the balance for effective climate disclosures

Legislation and liability: Striking the balance for effective climate disclosure...

New Zealand’s climate disclosure standards appear to be hindering the very transparency they are meant to promote.

Climate change
Reporting

type: Climate
date: 16/12/24

Rod Carr marks final days at Climate Change Commission

Rod Carr marks final days at Climate Change Commission

New Zealand businesses are taking climate change far more seriously than many elected leaders, says outgoing Climate Change Commissioner…

Climate change
Leadership

type: Climate
date: 18/11/24

What will Trump’s victory mean for the climate?

What will Trump’s victory mean for the climate?

NEW YORK, Project Syndicate – Elections are supposed to clarify policy uncertainties, and on the economic front, Donald Trump’s victory…

Climate change

type: Climate
date: 18/11/24

Net-zero shipping framework decisions imminent

Net-zero shipping framework decisions imminent

Global moves to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from shipping could make New Zealand “an expensive place to send ships” and add to…

Climate change

type: Climate
date: 13/11/24

Don’t wait for Wellington

Don’t wait for Wellington

Directors are urged to move more quickly than the Government on climate governance.

Climate change

type: Climate
date: 08/11/24

Environment and economics: A marriage of (in)convenience?

Environment and economics: A marriage of (in)convenience?

New Zealand businesses need to face up to a range of “unpalatable environmental realities”, Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment…

Climate change
Leadership

type: Climate
date: 01/11/24

Having our say on amendments to Climate and Assurance Standards

Having our say on amendments to Climate and Assurance Standards

In response to feedback, the External Reporting Board Te Kāwai Ārahi Pūrongo Mōwaho (XRB) released a consultation document and exposure…

Climate change
Reporting

type: Climate
date: 09/10/24

Climate crunch time

Climate crunch time

The goal is long-term resilience of both infrastructure and businesses, and the climate competitiveness of our economy.

Climate change

type: Climate
date: 09/10/24

KPMG

Emerging stronger with purpose

Emerging stronger with purpose

A clearly articulated purpose can help shape long-term business sustainability.

Climate change
From our sponsors
Shareholders

type: Climate
date: 12/09/24

DENTONS

Severe weather and a changing climate

Severe weather and a changing climate

A national climate adaptation framework could clarify the risks, and support accessible for recovery, due to severe weather events.

Climate change
From our sponsors

type: Climate
date: 12/09/24

IMHO: Leading the transition

IMHO: Leading the transition

Directors have a huge role to play in reducing carbon emissions if we are all to avoid dire consequences.

Climate change
Leadership

type: Climate
date: 11/09/24

Supporting your supply chain

Supporting your supply chain

Scope 3 supply-chain emissions are hard to track and manage, but understanding them can deliver real benefits.

Climate change
Reporting
Shareholders

type: Climate
date: 16/08/24

Watts urges directors to lead on climate

Watts urges directors to lead on climate

Boards can “effect the change required”, Minister of Climate Change Simon Watts tells almost 400 leading directors.

Climate change

type: Climate
date: 14/08/24

The best climate policy puts carrots before sticks

The best climate policy puts carrots before sticks

The key to a successful, politically sustainable climate policy is to ensure the benefits precede the costs.

Climate change

type: Climate
date: 08/08/24

The directors’ dilemma: when bold climate goals meet harsh realities

The directors’ dilemma: when bold climate goals meet harsh realities

NZ businesses rely on air travel; we must fly less yet still move products and connect with people.

Climate change

type: Climate
date: 07/08/24

A different way to tackle Scope 3 emissions

A different way to tackle Scope 3 emissions

More understanding and more detail are recommended when assessing Scope 3 emissions.

Climate change
Reporting

type: Climate
date: 20/07/24

Climate Disclosures - capitalising on financial markets

Climate Disclosures - capitalising on financial markets

This year New Zealand became the first country in the world to begin reporting under mandatory climate-related financial disclosures, with…

Climate change
Reporting

type: Climate
date: 19/07/24

Collaboration and co-leadership required to drive climate action

Collaboration and co-leadership required to drive climate action

A lack of collaboration within and across industry, organisations, and between the board and management, can seriously hamper progress…

Climate change
Leadership

type: Climate
date: 12/07/24

Lyttelton Port: Putting nature first

Lyttelton Port: Putting nature first

Lyttelton Port Company (LPC) has taken a bold step as the first New Zealand company to sign up to publicly report on its nature-related…

Climate change

type: Climate
date: 11/07/24

Counting nature because nature counts

Counting nature because nature counts

There’s a saying along the lines of ‘we use nature because it’s valuable, but we lose nature because it’s free’. I have also seen this…

Climate change
ESG

type: Climate
date: 19/06/24

Contractual decarbonisation – making a difference by doing your day job

Contractual decarbonisation – making a difference by doing your day job

Decarbonising our economy to meet the international goal of limiting the impact of human-induced climate change to 1.50C is…

Climate change

type: Climate
date: 23/05/24

Impressions of the first Aotearoa New Zealand Climate Standards-compliant disclosures

Impressions of the first Aotearoa New Zealand Climate Standards-compliant disclo...

Implementation met compliance, but deeper engagement is needed to fully uncover climate-related challenges and opportunities.

Climate change

type: Climate
date: 22/05/24

Goodman: Meeting the sustainability demands

Goodman: Meeting the sustainability demands

With many of its top 10 customers announcing carbon reduction targets, Goodman Property Services (NZ) Limited has refined its investment…

Climate change
Shareholders

type: Climate
date: 21/05/24

Green is the new crypto for corporate rebranding

Green is the new crypto for corporate rebranding

Bloomberg Opinion – A fun thing about the dot-com and crypto booms was how companies with no previous connection to dot-com or crypto added…

Climate change
ESG

type: Climate
date: 02/05/24

Climate hindsight: Leading in a crisis

Climate hindsight: Leading in a crisis

In February 2023, the Te Matau-a-Māui Hawke’s Bay region was devastated by the impact of Cyclone Gabrielle. The cyclone caused devastation…

Climate change

type: Climate
date: 30/04/24

A tipping point is imminent, and it’s time for our boardrooms to get uncomfortable

A tipping point is imminent, and it’s time for our boardrooms to get uncomfortab...

Record-breaking extremes are coming this year, and business leaders must accept the shift to a low-carbon economy will be uneven.

Climate change
Innovation

type: Climate
date: 19/04/24

Impressions of the first Aotearoa New Zealand Climate Statements-missed opportunities

Impressions of the first Aotearoa New Zealand Climate Statements-missed opportun...

New Zealand’s climate change targets are under review and the Climate Change Commission is seeking feedback on more ambitious targets and…

Climate change

type: Climate
date: 19/04/24

How can Aotearoa New Zealand best tackle greenhouse gases?

How can Aotearoa New Zealand best tackle greenhouse gases?

Like the climate, the Climate Change Response Act 2002 requires the Climate Change Commission – He Pou a Rangi: to review New Zealand’s…

Climate change
Reporting

type: Climate
date: 04/04/24

Truthfulness in company operations: ASIC insights

Truthfulness in company operations: ASIC insights

Australian Securities and Investment Commission active against investments misrepresenting ESG attributes.

Climate change
ESG

type: Climate
date: 21/03/24

Open mind needed for future energy

Open mind needed for future energy

The stability and security of our energy resources will be essential as we look to a future of climate uncertainty. Dr David Krofcheck from…

Climate change

type: Climate
date: 14/03/24

Dr Rod Carr “Leaders need to get with the tide of history”

Dr Rod Carr “Leaders need to get with the tide of history”

“Don’t wait to do yesterday’s business, poorly, tomorrow,” says Chair of the Climate Commission Dr Rod Carr on the risk of waiting to act…

Climate change
Leadership

type: Climate
date: 12/03/24

SEC adopts reduced climate-related disclosure rule

SEC adopts reduced climate-related disclosure rule

The same week the first of New Zealand’s mandatory climate-related disclosures were being released, the United States Securities and…

Climate change
Reporting

type: Climate
date: 11/03/24

KPMG

KPMG says sustainability viewed as a board responsibility

KPMG says sustainability viewed as a board responsibility

In Anchoring ESG in governance, a new report from KPMG, global sustainability leaders reveal how they are using governance structures…

Climate change
ESG
From our sponsors

type: Climate
date: 11/03/24

Climate Governance Initiative: From small start-up to global network

Climate Governance Initiative: From small start-up to global network

As Chapter Zero New Zealand celebrated its second birthday on 3 March, the Climate Governance Initiative (CGI) released its first Annual…

Climate change
Reporting

type: Climate
date: 01/03/24

Climate governance conversation must advance

Climate governance conversation must advance

As we move further into 2024, there are a number of political, legal and scientific developments that are going to impact how we talk about…

Climate change

type: Climate
date: 29/02/24

Infratil: Navigating climate-related issues at the board table

Infratil: Navigating climate-related issues at the board table

A confluence of factors – climate disclosure regulation, stakeholder expectations, climate litigation, scientific evidence on atmospheric…

Climate change
Director duties
ESG

type: Climate
date: 22/02/24

Rise in disclosure of climate-related risk

Rise in disclosure of climate-related risk

The use of sticks or carrots is frequently debated when considering how to best get the necessary movement in carbon emissions reductions…

Climate change
Reporting

type: Climate
date: 05/02/24

Headlines from Davos on Climate

Headlines from Davos on Climate

The World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2024 took place just a month after the conclusion of COP28, and the outcomes and decisions from…

Climate change