What we do
We deliver impact by championing our members to be at the leading-edge of sustainability and in doing so inspire other businesses to take action.
We support members to be at the forefront of sustainability by:
- Creating a community of like-minded businesses;
- Providing a platform for members to show leadership;
- Celebrating sustainable business success;
- Convening impactful projects and collaborations;
- Brokering relationships between members;
- Providing support, tools and capability building; and
- Thought leadership on local and global best practice and emerging trends, including consumer insights.
We act on behalf of our members on climate action and ensuring New Zealanders thrive in a renewed economy by:
- Providing a clear, consistent and reputable voice for sustainable business;
- Partnering with other organisations on issues that help achieve our vision; and
- Leveraging our relationship with the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD).
You can contact SBC at any time to ask about membership. The membership process involves review of your application by the SBC Advisory Board and payment of an annual membership fee. We ask each member to fulfil member commitments.
What sets us apart
Advocacy
Global Network
Multi-level Approach
Long-term Systems Change
Cross-Sectoral Work
Strong Partnerships
SBC Member Commitments
Members must actively support the current SBC strategy as approved by the Council members and associated annual plans.
This may include, but is not limited to; supporting the work of SBC through making available in-house competence and human resources, engaging in SBC initiatives that help create scalable action, taking action in their own businesses that demonstrate sustainable business practices in the balanced pursuit of economic growth, ecological integrity and social progress. Specifically:
From the start of membership
- On joining, provide SBC with a summary on that member’s progress in implementing sustainable business practices, if not already reporting publicly on sustainability.
- Have measured the emissions of its New Zealand operations, report progress on this.
On a yearly basis
- Respond to any reasonable and relevant request for information from the Advisory Board that is not commercially sensitive.
- Have the Council Member (who is the CEO or their direct report) attend at least one SBC meeting or event each year.
- Participate in at least one SBC initiative or project.
Within two years of membership
- Produce a sustainability report, integrated report or public account demonstrating sustainability activity, plans and performance.
- Report to SBC on progress in reducing the emissions intensity of its New Zealand operations.
- Illustrate support for Human Rights by having a policy in place to respect human rights and where relevant a human rights due diligence process.
- Illustrate support for inclusion, equality, diversity and elimination of any form of discrimination.
- Where material, set environmental goals that contribute to nature/biodiversity recovery. Report on progress.
On a biennial basis SBC will review its members against these commitments. As part of the review, where relevant, SBC will use WBCSD’s framework to assess members against international best practice.
These commitments are important because they set clear goals for each member to aim for if they want to become more sustainable, and they also help SBC members collectively demonstrate what sustainability best practice is to the New Zealand business sector.
The Sustainable Business Council reserves the right to exit a member if they continually fail to meet these member commitments and show no intention to meet them within a reasonable time.
Membership Fees
Fees are based on annual turnover
$0 – $5 million: $2,500
$5 – 10 million: $5,000
$10 – 50 million: $10,000
$50 million+: $20,000 (reduced to $17,500 for members of BusinessNZ’s Major Companies’ Group)
For associate membership fees, please contact us.
Membership Policies
The Sustainable Business Council believes the laws of New Zealand are a reflection of the ethical standards held by the substantial majority of New Zealanders
Therefore, the Sustainable Business Council will not invite organisations to join as a member if they or their parent company engage in activities that would be illegal if carried out in New Zealand.