Business View Oceania - Oct 2023

38 BUSINESS VIEW OCEANIA VOLUME 5, ISSUE 10 As well as supporting smaller businesses, the BusinessNZ Network also works to add value to the largest businesses in New Zealand. For example, the Network also includes the Major Companies Group - a grouping of New Zealand’s largest and most successful companies, working collaboratively to advocate for a better business environment. The chief executives of the big companies are able to take part in Network strategy sessions and as a group advise the Government on laws and policies affecting business. Another example is ExportNZ - a grouping of Kiwi exporters that come together to share exporting knowledge and celebrate success in the sector. The group provides advocacy and lobbying on behalf of exporters, practical support programmes and networking events to help exporters achieve their goals, and inspires other firms to take up exporting in order to expand and grow internationally. ExportNZ also holds regional export awards around the country which are always hotly contested, as exporters vie for top honours. One of the most innovative of the many groupings under the BusinessNZ Network is the Sustainable Business Council or SBC. This is a group of businesses that are focused on taking action to build a low-emissions, climate resilient and sustainable future, where people, business and nature can thrive. Most enterprises have some kind of impact on water, earth or the air when involved in farming, manufacturing, transporting or other form of business - SBC members sign up to meet a number of commitments to demonstrate how they’re taking action to tackle these challenges. Over the course of their membership SBC companies make a range of binding commitments, including to begin to measure and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, make sustainable purchasing decisions, and formally report on their actions in their annual reports; and if they don’t live up to their commitments they may be asked to relinquish their membership of the SBC. Companies operating within SBC are reducing emissions by such means as electrifying their heavy vehicles and vehicle fleets, using biofuels instead of coal, installing solar panels and LEDs, and offsetting emissions through forestry credits. They are also working hard to support their people by delivering a range of new and innovative social sustainability activities. SBC companies have put a line in the sand, and are determined to demonstrate environmental, social and governance sustainability leadership to all other New Zealand businesses, Kirk says. “It’s absolutely fantastic to have this