Case for sustainability remains strong

March 3, 2008
Media release

Case for sustainability remains strong

New Zealand companies are not side-stepping sustainability in the tougher economic climate, suggests a new report from the Sustainable Business Network.

A 40 per cent increase in membership over the last year is revealed in the network’s latest report, 2008 Sustainable Business Review, which sets out some of the recent developments in sustainable business practices among Kiwi companies.

Chief executive Rachel Brown, who founded the Sustainable Business Network in 2002, says she has not seen a drop-off in commitment to sustainability from among the 800-plus members, but is aware of companies wanting to be more cost-effective in the way they achieved their sustainability goals.

“Any effect from the recession has been to encourage a smarter approach to sustainability,” she says.

“Sustainability remains a must-do for business. If they haven’t already, now is the time for businesses to shift their focus towards how they can become strategic and effective in their investment and to make long-term plans. The global recession is a call for a better way to do business, in general.”

Rachel Brown says the network’s new members draw from a broad range of business sizes and industries, demonstrating the increased diversity of business participation in sustainability initiatives.

“The service sector is where we’ve seen the most growth. It used to be that it was easier to see a role for sustainability in the manufacturing sector as opposed to services, but certainly these businesses are now well represented among our membership.”

The 2008 Sustainable Business Review demonstrates this and other trends through a series of case studies from members who have been tackling sustainability challenges. The stories show that as well as the short term benefits of brand loyalty and cost savings through resource efficiency, businesses are also recognising the long-term opportunities from sustainability to capture a unique part of a market, or in creating entirely new markets. And increasingly, these opportunities are being realised on a global scale, not just locally.

Case studies include:

- Paraoa Bakehouse - Sustainable Business of the Year 2008
- Kate Sylvester, winner of the emerging small business sustainability award 2008
- Resene Paints
- Criterion Furniture
- Express Couriers
- Meridian Energy
Commentary includes:

- Karl Armstrong, head of NZI discusses the impact climate change has had on insurers and what they’re doing about it (Climate of Change: the impact on insurance)
- Tim Allan of Locus Research explains the major rethink needed in the design community due to sustainability (A Design Change: the impact of sustainability)
- Peter Salmon of Moxie Design and Nick Jones of Sustainable Advantage offer advice on how to market innovative products and services – without even a hint of greenwashing (Who cares about greenwashing?)
- Glen Saunders, investment banker and chartered accountant, finds the survivors of the financial crisis (Long-term Investments: How responsible investment rides the tide)
- Jane Henley of the NZ Green Building Council brings to the table evidence that green buildings make economic sense (Tick for Green Buildings – even in tough times)

About the Sustainable Business Network:
- The Sustainable Business Network is a forum for businesses interested in sustainable development practice.
- It has a nationwide membership of more than 800 organisations from small to large businesses and not-for-profits.
- The Network has six regional offices and promotes sustainable business practice through networking, practical advice and support, research and policy.
- Last year, more than 200 organizations signed up to participate in the Network’s ‘Get Sustainable Challenge’ – a programme to help businesses identify what they need to do become sustainable. The best of these became finalists in the national Sustainable Business Network Awards.

ON THE WEB: www.sustainable.org.nz

ENDS

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