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Business sector must restore public trust
Friday, 7 October 2005, 9:50
am
Press Release: Business Council for Sustainable
Development

7
October, 2005

Media Release

Business sector must restore public trust says Council

The business sector may have to demonstrate more
responsibility for the communities and ecosystems where its
consumers, investors and employees reside if it is to win back
public trust, according to the New Zealand Business Council for
Sustainable Development (the Business Council) in its annual report
released today.

Chair Rob Fenwick said a recent public survey showing New
Zealanders are distrustful of the business sector was deeply
disturbing.

“The public’s apparent indifference to the hugely important role
of business as an integral component of civil society, will hobble
future investment and growth in New Zealand. One of the critical
challenges for our organisation is to bring about a more positive
construct of business within the wider community.”

He added: “We ignore at our peril The Millennium Ecosystem
Assessment which reports that human activity is putting such strain
on the natural functions of Earth that the planet’s ability to
sustain future generations can no longer be taken for granted. The
Business Council’s vision for itself and for New Zealand is: “To
meet the needs of today whilst creating a country that is fit for
future generations.” This presents a challenge for every country;
however for us it has particular resonance because of our well
marketed global image as an environmental haven which we must
continue to earn.”

The report “Living within nature’s income – preserving nature’s
capital” updates the Business Council’s progress during the past
year in delivering its charter to promote sustainable business,
healthy communities and ecosystems.

He said the organisation had grown in both numbers and scope of
influence during the year. Membership had reached a landmark 50 of
the leading New Zealand companies which jointly employ 55,000 people
engaged in managing resources, manufacturing, retailing and the
service sector and contributes around $33 billion to the economy.
This presents the Business Council with the opportunity to get
sustainable development at the heart of our thinking.

ADVERTISEMENT

Chief Executive Peter Neilson said that as an organisation which
advocates sustainable development reporting, the Business Council
takes seriously its own responsibility to report on what it and its
members are doing to achieve this:

Neilson said he was pleased with progress: “Our growth in
membership reflects the increasing enthusiasm of business to be seen
as part of the solution, not part of the problem. It is a paradox
that despite the success of business in assisting billions of people
out of poverty by providing jobs, better goods and services and
higher living standards, business is more often seen as the problem
not part of the solution. The Business Council promotes solutions
that can provide better living standards, an improved environment
and social inclusiveness. In contrast business organisations that
only talk about the need for higher profits, lower taxation and less
regulation to a non-business audience appear focused on their
shareholders’ goals and aspirations but no one else’s.”

The annual report highlighted several successful initiatives in
2005:-

- promoting a business friendly approach to the Resource
Management Act process which does not weaken its environmental
principles;

- joint production with Westpac of Let’s Settle This – a book on
the challenges of post settlement governance for iwi and hapu;

- working with members and other industry groups to develop a
better understanding of the sustainable energy options for New
Zealand out to 2050; and

- promotion of practical “how to” guides for business which
provide advice on waste reduction, measuring your business’s carbon
footprint and managing your supply chain.

The Business Council differs from other business associations as
a member led organisation which draws on the collective input and
experience of its members. As such it will also be judged on the
performance of its members. Each year a survey of members is an
important means of verifying progress. In 2005:

- 56% of all members reported on their social and environmental
impacts alongside their economic results;

- 20% of Business Council members have added some low emission,
fuel efficient vehicles to their fleets

- 75% of survey respondents have introduced codes of practice for
their suppliers which consider social and environmental impacts and
longer term sustainability with several using the Business Council’s
template code of practice;

- 29% respondents were able to quantify their emissions
reduction; and

- 57% have implemented waste reduction programmes.

The report also considers New Zealand’s performance and finds
that we can and must do better:

- We are the 24th worst out of 27 OECD countries in terms of
child deaths due to maltreatment; and

- whilst we are already a leader in use of renewable energy, 70%
of our energy still comes from fossil fuels which climate scientists
believe are linked to climate change.

The Strategy adopted by the Business Council is to be the most
influential business organisation in New Zealand. Through taking a
business leadership position the Business Council aims to make
business sustainability practice mainstream and non-controversial.
This will be done through our members showing leadership in these
practices and through providing evidence based research on public
policy issues. For the Business Council providing practical
solutions for business and Government will be our main focus.

“Living on nature’s income – preserving nature’s capital” can be
downloaded from http://www.nzbcsd.org.nz/story.asp?id=546

ENDS

The Business Council’s starting position is that a business needs
to be profitable in order to be sustainable. Sustainable business
also needs to be sensitive to the needs of their employees and to
the communities in which they operate and to minimise their impact
on natural resources. Business Council members jointly employ 55,000
people engaged in managing resources, manufacturing, retailing and
the service sector. Our members contribute around $33 billion to the
economy which is around 28% GDP.

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