Positioning your board for a net-zero economy
Most global firms are doubling down on climate action. New Zealand boards must keep pace or risk falling behind.
In today’s complex geopolitical environment, directors face a dual challenge: navigating global uncertainty while steering their organisations through the accelerating climate transition. Increasing trade tensions, energy security concerns and policy fragmentation are reshaping the business landscape. Despite this though, momentum for climate action in business remains strong.
That’s because forward thinking businesses, and those that govern them, recognise this is not just a regulatory shift but a strategic opportunity – a stance reinforced by the recent release of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development’s (WBCSD) 2025 Breakthrough Business Barometer.
Drawing on insights from more than 300 leaders across 50 countries, the annual pulse check on the pace of the net-zero transition revealed 90% of global businesses have maintained or increased their climate-related investments and emissions targets in the past year.
The Sustainable Business Council (SBC), Aotearoa New Zealand’s only global network partner of WBCSD, supported the report’s launch. SBC CEO Mike Burrell says that the face of rising uncertainty and geopolitical turbulence these insights clearly demonstrate businesses are not stepping back from the transition.
“The results provide a critical reminder that New Zealand businesses, and the directors leading them, cannot afford to lose momentum on climate action, and the advances that have already made,” says Burrell. “This is not just about doing the right thing, it’s about doing the smart thing. The global economy is moving. Directors must ensure their organisations are not left behind.”
More than half (56%) of global businesses surveyed cited-long term competitiveness as the main driver for their climate-related investments, with the results also highlighting countries with clear policies, affordable clean energy and growing demand for low-carbon solutions, are attracting a transition dividend.
“Climate risk is no longer simply a board-level compliance issue,” says Burrell, “but a strategic imperative for long term value creation.”
He adds that the transition to a net-zero climate resilient future demands leadership from directors, with a strategic focus on the opportunities, as well as the risks, the pathway poses.
“Boards must be ready to navigate this evolving landscape in order to help tackle the gnarliest of climate issues facing business and our country, helping drive real and meaningful change. They have a key role to play in harnessing the opportunities of the transition, in order to help shape a future where business, people and nature can thrive together.”
Hear more about the role of climate at the board table at the upcoming 2025 Climate Change & Business Conference Ambition. Accountability. Action, taking place in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland on 8-9 September.
The two-day event will include an extensive line up of global and domestic speakers, with a plenary session dedicated to exploring how directors, CEOs and executives can work effectively to not only manage climate-related risks but seize the opportunities of transitioning to a low emission, climate resilient future.
Delivered in partnership by the Sustainable Business Council, Environmental Defence Society and Climate Leaders Coalition. Register here.
