24 Jun 2008 | In this issue: | And much more... | |
Climate Change News24 May 2008 | New Zealanders want taxes cut further, but not if it puts up mortgage payments more »Government Submissions13 May 2008 | Business Council verbal submission to select committee on emissions trading law12 May 2008 | Business leaders advise politicians to deliver stable climate change policy12 May 2008 | Business decision makers back emissions trading, only 2% support emissions support until 2030 more »News and Media2 Jul 2008 | Business leaders tell unions emissions trading will deliver thousands of “future jobs”24 Jun 2008 | $12.3 billion investment benefit from emissions trading24 Jun 2008 | Research on payments to large emitting businesses under emissions trading more »Speeches and Events22 May 2008 | International authorities Lead NZ World Environment Day Events more »Coming Events8 Jul 2008 | Environmental Law for Non Lawyers 8 & 9 July Wellington & 15 & 16 July Auckland24 Jul 2008 | Developing & Implementing a Sustainability Strategy in Your Organisation more »
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$12.3 billion investment benefit from emissions tradingNew research commissioned by the Business Council, and a special briefing report to MPs, shows the passage of emissions trading law this year could underpin and trigger new investment worth more than $12.3 billion over the next 10 years. It could create more than 9,600 new jobs paying more than $5.5 billion a year in new wages. more »
ShapeNZ Budget 2008 survey: New Zealanders' future tax cut wishesNew Zealanders want further tax cuts in addition to those provided for in Thursday’s Budget.
They do not think further tax cuts would be irresponsible and believe the country can afford them.
However, the prospect of additional tax cuts frightens voters into strongly opposing them it puts up prices and mortgage interest rates. more »
ShapeNZ: first interim survey result on the Government's 2008 BudgetNew Zealanders are not totally satisfied with the tax cut benefits they will personally get from the Budget, but support the three year $10.6 billion tax reform programme. According to the first interim result of a nationwide ShapeNZ poll on Budget measures, covering 2523 respondents, there is overwhelming approval for the Budget’s health and education spending policies. more »
Business Council to select committee: business people strongly support emissions tradingSix out of 10 business people agree with the Government’s policy to introduce an emissions trading scheme, according to this research presetned by the Business Council to Parliament's Finance and Expenditure Select Committee during hearings on the Climate Change (Emissions Trading and Renewable Preference) Bill. more »
New fuel price sensitivity research: $2 per litre will trigger major fuel economy driveIf petrol and diesel prices break the $2 per litre barrier, it will trigger nearly a quarter of New Zealanders to significantly reduce their fuel use, according to ShapeNZ research. If the price escalates to $3 per litre for 91 octane petrol and its diesel equivalent, 68% of New Zealanders say they will significantly reduce fuel use in this survey which shows the potential impact of imposing a price on transport fuels to reduce geenhouse gas emissions. more »
First NZ Green IT study shows companies struggling with sustainabilityTwo-thirds of New Zealand businesses are struggling to act sustainably, according to the first New Zealand research into „Green IT‟ by IBM and the New Zealand Business Council for Sustainable Development. The IBM-commissioned study explored perceptions around organisations‟ environmental sustainability and the contribution of IT to organisational energy use. The total sample of 2302 respondents included a sub-group of 200 IT Managers. The survey data has been used to compare New Zealand businesses‟ attitudes to that of their counterparts in Australia and around the world more »
What New Zealanders think on taxpayer assistance to emitters, and fuel tax policy changesA new nationwide poll shows New Zealanders like the Government’s major announcements this week to postpone an emissions price on their fuel use – and to phase in regional fuel taxes.However, the support for fuel tax deferments turns into opposition if it means less money is available for personal tax cuts and social spending (like benefits, education and health). And only 1% support the current policy of taxpayers’ covering the cost of 90% of businesses’ emissions at 2005 levels until 2017 (previously 2012), before support phases out. more »
The next decade's most preferred energy sourcesThis ShapeNZ national survey of 3546 New Zealanders discloses the energy sources they would most prefer the country to use in the next 10 years. It also covers their views on a proposed ban on new thermal baseload power generation, which party is best suited to manage climate change, and cimate change coalition options. The weighted survey's maximum margin of error is 1.6%. Material here includes tables detailing views by local council area. more »
New report: What's prompting US corporations to go green?This issue of eJournal USA delves into what those familiar with the history of the environmental movement in the United States might see as a surprising trend — the way U.S. corporations in recent years have embraced environmentally friendly ways of doing business. What prompts a corporation to “go green”? Click here for the full report more »
New Zealanders' views on personal income tax reformNew Zealanders overwhelmingly want a tax cut - but not if it puts up the mortgage. An overwhelming 85% of New Zealanders believe the Government should lower personal income taxes this year. However, 71% do not want a tax cut if it puts up prices and interest rates, and thee is also majority concern of tax cuts lead to lower social spending. Full results and tables showing the views of party voters are published here. more »
High concern over climate change, solid support for emissions tradingA major new nationwide poll, conducted between February 26 and March 3, covering 3377 New Zealanders, shows rising concern over climate change - and solid support for emissions trading. People support giving this country’s large greenhouse gas emitters special emission credits until 2020 or until their competitors overseas also pay a price on carbon. New Zealanders will also support imposing a carbon tax on imports from countries which don’t impose carbon charges on their own emitters.The research findings and associated media release are here more »
Kiwis' views on new migrants, and solving skills shortageNew Zealanders overwhelmingly believe the country suffers a skills shortages - and blame low pay. They also back introducing incentives to keep skilled workers and attract Kiwis and others from abroad. Meantime, we also overwhelmingly like the contribution new migrants are making to our society. The media release and full ShapeNZ research survey on this is now available.. more »
New Zealanders want cash incentive to quit dirty carsA ShapeNZ survey shows New Zealanders are worried about air quality, support the Government's new vehicle emissions policy, but also want cash incentives to help people scrap 10 to 15 year-old polluting vehicles and replace them with low-emission ones. Full research results and the associated media release are here more »
Where the big policy deals can be done to form the next GovernmentIn this Herald on Sunday column, Business Council CEO Peter Neilson discusses some policy options which would find cross-party coalition-building support in this year's general elections more »
How 32% of your customers may move when they find out about youNew research covering the growth of the Consumers who Care/ Solution Seeker market in New Zealand - people who expect companies to provide them with products and services which empower them to help address issues which concern them - has been unveiled. Details on presentations and research from a special Top 40 Advertisers' Briefing, organised by the Business Council, are available here. They include a new world-first database development allowing you to buy media specifically targeting this growing audience. more »
New study on UK attitudes to food milesTrade Minister Phil Goff has released new report into consumer and retailer attitudes in the United Kingdom to food miles and sustainability related issues. The report by Fishburn Hedges, a UK based consultancy, finds about two thirds of the population is now aware of the the food miles concept, though about half of shoppers say they are unconcerned which country their food comes from. Factors such as freshness, quality and price remain over-riding concerns. more »
New research: Business people see economic benefits in climate changeNew Zealand business people believe climate change will result in more – rather than fewer - economic opportunities being available for the country as a result of climate change. Nearly six out of 10 business people also believe businesses will cut emissions as a result of the proposed emissions trading system. The release and full result of the latest climate change policy opinion minitor are here more »
NZBCSD Report: Business opportunities and climate changeThis Business Council report reviews business opportunities arising from climate change and can be downloaded free. more »
25 Easy Steps towards SustainabilityThe MfE have recently published a new booklet “25 easy steps towards sustainability” to help the 91 per cent of New Zealanders* who have said they want to know more about how they can protect the environment.
The booklet provides information to help New Zealanders reduce their environmental footprint and save money. You’ll find useful tips on how best to use energy and water, and reduce your rubbish.
To use as little paper as possible, the booklet is available electronically to download, read onscreen, and share with friends. It can be downloaded free from www.sustainability.govt.nz.
A limited numbers of printed booklets are available for events and those who do not have easy internet access. Please email Jane.Tier@mfe.govt.nz for further details. more »
Powerful forces. New opportunities: The Business Council's Annual Review 2007Download the full version of the Business Council's Annual Review 2007 covering the major developments in and new opportunities in sustainable practice and policies. Includes multiple case studies of companies "walking the talk" and profiting from sustainable practice. more »
New Zealanders’ views on future health policyNew Zealanders indicate support for a package of significant policy reforms to ensure the country can sustain public health services. At current spending growth rates major tax rises will be needed to afford an almost doubled health bill by 2050. Click here for the full ShapeNZ survey, being used to help inform 80 chief executives and the Minister of Finance at the Business Budget Summit 2007 on November 1. more »
Personal tax reform optionsThe Business Council issues three possible options for personal tax reform, Deloitte research and ShapeNZ polling on what New Zealanders want more »
Personal actions Kiwis will take to cut greenhouse gas emissionsThe results of ShapeNZ research showing what New Zealanders will do personally to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions - from changing light bulbs to cars. more »
Climate Change: policies and public viewsThe New Zealand Business Council for Sustainable Development says the most important message relating to climate change is that there’ll be a price on carbon for all sectors, and multi party support to make the policy credible long term. In its submissions on Government climate change policy options, the Business Council says the Government should introduce a scheme to cap and trade emissions - any revenue collected should be used to fund climate change solutions or reduce taxation.
Meantime, new research by the Business Council on New Zealanders’ views on climate change and policy options shows 77% think climate change is a problem to be dealt with now or urgently.
Full submissions, media release summaries and poll results are available here more »
2007 Business Budget SummitVisit the Business Budget Summit website to view key papers on health, skills and personal tax reform and to view tthe Summit's recommendations to Government. www.budgetsummit.org.nz more »
New research: How decisionmakers view the role of business in the communityShould businesses aim to maximise returns for stakeholders only, or for stakeholders and the community? This ShapeNZ survey reveals the views of New Zealand business, professional and official decision makers. more »
Quality of Life ResearchNew Zealanders, when discussing what the country should be like in 20 years’ time, say the most important things to keep are aspects of our lifestyle and attitudes towards life. more »
Climate Change PolicyView the Business Council's Climate Change Policy more »
Shell Sustainability FundThe Shell New Zealand Sustainability Fund is focussed on enabling the SMEs sector to overcome the barriers to their participation in sustainable development and fills a crucial gap in the path to a sustainable future for New Zealand. more »
Keep abreast of today's world news on sustainability issuesClick here to view the WBCSD newsletters more »
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