How can local businesses achieve sustainable outcomes while still growing? What is the key to achieving local sustainability goals? Can small and medium business in Ōtautahi Christchurch actually make an impact on a global scale?
Photo: Climate Change Commission Chair and former University of Canterbury Vice-Chancellor, Dr Rod Carr
These were some of the questions answered at Business Canterbury’s recent event, Sustainability Business Partnerships.
Joined by Climate Change Commission Chair and former University of Canterbury Vice-Chancellor, Dr Rod Carr and Business Advisory Manager from Chartered Accounting and Business Advisory Firm BDO, Zane Shasky, the afternoon was a valuable opportunity for local businesses to learn how they can drive change through circular partnerships to achieve sustainable outcomes.
With a wealth of knowledge in climate change, Carr set the scene by sharing an overview of the bigger global picture, and why this topic really matters.
It all starts and ends with energy.
The energy transition is underway, Carr explained. “What we mean when we talk about the transition is the decarbonisation of energy. What we have to do is stop the combustion of fossil fuels, especially for electricity.”
Dr Rod CarrWhat we mean when we talk about the transition is the decarbonisation of energy. What we have to do is stop the combustion of fossil fuels, especially for electricity.”
An alarming 80 percent of coal burnt today is used for electricity – this needs to stop now. And the good news is, there are opportunities to be found here.
What does that opportunity look like for Christchurch? Carr highlighted two that we need to be paying attention to: renewable energy and demand for new skills.
“Renewable energy is a real thing, especially in New Zealand and Christchurch,” Carr explained.
Dr Rod CarrRenewable energy is a real thing, especially in New Zealand and Christchurch,"
He expressed how important it is for businesses to be thinking about their energy and electricity use, and not wait any longer to begin transitioning to renewable sources.
The second opportunity is the number of new skills and expertise that are going to be needed in Christchurch. As an outcome of this major energy transition, we will need new capabilities and skills.
“It is in our own self-interest to move quickly and be in the lead to change. Capital is not in short supply, but skills will be,” said Carr.
Zane Shasky then shared what BDO are seeing more and more of in their work in regard to sustainability, and how they have been helping local businesses looking to start their sustainable transition and decrease their environmental impact.
For some, it's starting from scratch by gathering data, for others it’s creating sustainability strategies and implementing changes.
Photo: Business Advisory Manager from Chartered Accounting and Business Advisory Firm BDO, Zane Shasky
What do those first steps look like for small businesses in Canterbury? Here is what BDO advises:
First – stocktake your current process. What's going well? What are your business’s weaknesses? What do your stakeholders think?
Second – Consider some goals. What framework fits your business? What changes do you want to see? What changes does your business need?
Third – Consider the feasibility. There will be a financial and resource cost, an impact to ongoing business, and impact to current strategy.
And finally, most importantly – Who can help? Who can you partner with? Who can support you?
Carr urged businesses to leverage the business networks across Christchurch and via Business Canterbury to come together, have the conversations, talk about your challenges and find out how you can work with others for joint benefit.
From Shasky’s experience in working with local businesses on their sustainability journey, Shasky urged the room to remember two important things:
- Nobody is perfect
- Messy progress is better than no progress
Get Started Today
If you are interested in making your business more sustainable:
- Explore Business Canterbury’s range of sustainability support for businesses and tune in to the quickfire e-learning series on ‘Sustainability as an Opportunity’ featuring case studies of local businesses integrating sustainability for business efficiency and growth.
- Check out ChristchurchNZ’s free guide designed to help you identify ways to get started and practical tools and frameworks that make sense for your business.
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