Climate Leaders Coalition

Save the date! The 2025 Climate Change and Business Conference will be held on the 8-9 September at the Viaduct Events Centre in Tāmaki Makaurau. The 2025 conference theme is Ambition. Accountability. Action. The theme provides a platform for discussion about the most effective interventions business leaders are taking at speed and scale, often in close collaboration with governments, across these three pillars. Most importantly, it reflects the critical role of business in securing our ambitions for the future. With a focus on the ‘how’ – this year’s sessions will showcase examples of cutting-edge action here in Aotearoa New Zealand and internationally. More information about the conference is available here: https://lnkd.in/gJcBJy6g Sign up for updates: https://lnkd.in/evGAihzj

As the first NZ telco to have a science-based net-zero target validated by the Science Based Targets initiative under The Corporate Net-Zero Standard*, we are proud to be answering the call towards a fairer, more sustainable future. You can read more about how we plan to reach our validated net-zero target and more in our Community Impact Report at: https://lnkd.in/gm__txWE *Reaching Net-Zero requires 90% reduction of our greenhouse gas emissions by 2040 from FY2022 baseline and investment in initiatives to balance out the rest.

Minister of Climate Change Hon. Simon Watts has announced Rt Hon Dame Patsy Reddy as the new Chair of the Climate Change Commission, along with new Commissioners Felicity Underhill and Devon McLean. Dame Patsy’s appointment will take effect in February 2025. In the meantime, Commissioner and Deputy Chair Lisa Tumahai CNZM will be acting chair. Dame Patsy’s appointment follows the conclusion of Dr Rod Carr’s term, which ends in early December. “I’m pleased that Dame Patsy is joining the Commission. As former Governor-General, she will come to the role with an extensive and distinguished career in law and governance,” Mr Watts says. Mr Watts has also appointed Felicity and Devon McLean as Commissioners from December 2024 until September 2028, replacing Catherine Leining and Professor James Renwick. “Ms Underhill has worked in the energy industry for over twenty years and will bring significant experience in decarbonisation of the energy, transport and industrial sectors. She has also been actively involved in future fuel transition programmes around hydrogen,” Mr Watts says. “Mr McLean has had a long executive and governance career in the forestry and conservation fields. The Commission Board will benefit from Mr McLean’s forestry industry experience and governance expertise.” Minister Watts also thanked Dr Carr, Ms Leining and Professor Renwick for their service to the Commission over the past five years. Appointments to our board are made under the Crown Entities Act 2004, in accordance with requirements set out in the Climate Change Response Act 2002. Board members are chosen to form the necessary mix of expertise to tackle the many challenges of climate change. This appointment process is external to the Commission and is managed by the Ministry for the Environment | Manatū mō te Taiao. More info about the appointment process: https://lnkd.in/gKEPcSqe

We have published our first Climate-Related Disclosures (CRD) insights report today, reviewing 70 climate statements prepared by New Zealand's Climate Reporting Entities (CREs). The purpose of the report is to provide timely and useful feedback for these entities to improve disclosure in the future. We've been encouraged by the first climate statements. “We are pleased with the efforts that CREs have made to prepare and lodge their first set of mandatory climate statements under the CRD regime," said FMA Head of Audit, Financial Reporting and Climate Related Disclosures, Jacco Moison. “Climate reporting entities have put in an enormous effort to ensure their first mandatory climate statements were prepared on time. We acknowledge that some have faced challenges, including obtaining reliable data, incurring higher-than expected costs and deciding how to make disclosures in the absence of guidance on certain topics.” We will continue our educative and constructive approach. We’re keen to share the findings of the report and allow you to ask questions via two webinars next week along with further engagements in the New Year. Download the report here: https://lnkd.in/gWi8kuwP Register here for CRD webinars on December 10 and December 12: https://lnkd.in/gUv-UbP3

Whilst many people use buses to travel thousands of kilo meters, what happens when buses need to travel themselves? We’re delighted to have received 23 new electric buses! They have travelled more than 10,000 km across the great seas on board a RORO (roll on roll off) vessel. In keeping with the border regulations, they needed to be customs cleared and MPI cleared to make sure there are no unwanted passengers like the dreaded Brown marmorated stink bugs! Thankfully, the team at Now365 Logistics made the process smooth and seamless ensuring safe delivery of these brand-new electric buses. As part of AT’s Mission Electric, West Auckland’s flagship bus service, the WX1, will be run by fully electric double-decker buses from April 2025. Tranzit Group will bring more than 40 new electric buses to the streets of Tāmaki Makaurau, operating under its Tranzurban Auckland brand on the key WX1, 11T/11W and 120 bus routes. More than half of these will be electric double-decker buses!

In a first for New Zealand, First Renewables, a Clarus company, in partnership with Ecogas are now flowing Renewable gas through a Firstgas pipeline for the first time, marking a pivotal moment not only for the gas industry but for New Zealand’s journey towards a sustainable, low-carbon energy future! The journey of this renewable gas begins with kerbside food waste, processed into biogas at Ecogas’ Organics Processing Facility. Through an advanced biogas upgrade system, this biogas is transformed into biomethane, a renewable substitute for natural gas, and connected to our Firstgas network.