Z Energy and the Sustainable Business Network: 'Working together for nature'

Nature underpins everything we need to survive and thrive, yet biodiversity loss in Aotearoa New Zealand continues to threaten many of our species and habitats. To ensure Aotearoa has a healthy and sustainable future, Z Energy (Z) has partnered with the Sustainable Business Network (SBN) to help deliver its $1 million Biodiversity Fund.

Abbie Bull, Z’s Head of Sustainability and Community, says that alongside the company’s work towards the transition to a low carbon economy, Z understands the role of nature when it comes to creating a healthy future which is why it established the Biodiversity Fund. Abbie is thrilled to have joined forces with SBN, an organisation set up in 2002 which works with businesses to enable system change in the areas of climate, waste, and nature. Its role is to transform leading ideas on sustainable business into action, which Abbie says closely aligns with Z’s values.

“Improving the resilience of Aotearoa New Zealand’s biodiversity is critical for a healthy future, and we share the belief that we have to fundamentally change the way we approach nature restoration in this country,” says Abbie. “The Sustainable Business Network are incredible leaders in this area.”

This year, as part of its wider conservation commitment, Z will channel $500,000 into the network, with the funds going into its on-the-ground restoration projects and its work towards widespread system change.

Z’s support has also helped SBN produce a groundbreaking report titled Regenerating Nature in Aotearoa New Zealand: The Transformative Role of Business . The report is a call to arms for the private sector to get behind nature regeneration, both in terms of financial assistance for on-the-ground nature projects, and for changing business practices to halt and reverse the loss of nature.

Report author Sam Rowland, who is SBN’s Programme Manager for Nature Systems Change, says the world is experiencing an alarming decline in nature, with Aotearoa at particular risk.

“New Zealand has the highest proportion of species that are at risk of extinction compared to anywhere else in the world,” says Sam. “We’ve only got 10 percent of our wetlands remaining, and close to half our rivers weren’t safe to swim in between 2016 and 2020. This is important not only because we are losing species and activities that are important to us as Kiwis, but vitally, the health of our economy and society hinges on the well-being of nature.”

Raising awareness of the role businesses can play in halting and reversing biodiversity decline is crucial, and Sam hopes SBN’s report will provide the tools and knowledge for more Kiwi corporates to join Z in the fight.

“The private sector can play a transformative role in regenerating nature,” says Sam. “Our report really digs into what businesses say are the barriers, motivators and enablers for them doing more for nature. We’ve then created a programme of work based on that data to say, ‘Right, let's remove some of those barriers, raise awareness and capability for businesses to easily act for nature.’ It’s about working together to co-create efficient and impactful outcomes for nature.”

She says Z has shown huge commitment right from the start, not only providing support for thought-leadership and advocacy, but funding community projects, including the Te Puhinui Restoration Project. The project, which was recently visited by the Minister of Conservation, the Hon Willow-Jean Prime to mark Conservation Week 2023, is helping to restore the land, waters and people of the Te Puhinui area in South Auckland. This in turn is also creating several nature-based employment opportunities for local rangatahi.

Z is also involved in Trees That Count, supporting the planting of over 100,000 natives around Aotearoa and a research project into seed islands, where the power of nature is used for large-scale reforestation. On top of this, Z has partnered with The Nature Conservancy Blue Carbon Project, supporting its work to create a thriving blue carbon marketplace through wetland regeneration.

“We realise that we are part of the climate change problem, and that gives us a real opportunity to be part of the solution,” says Abbie. “Ever since I joined Z, I’ve seen a real commitment to the role of nature and a willingness to think outside the box on it.”

Abbie says every corporate has a responsibility to assist nature in Aotearoa, adding that customers are becoming increasingly choosy when it comes to a business’ sustainability practices. While helping biodiversity is a voluntary action currently, Abbie says there is a strong business case for corporates to get involved, a sentiment echoed in the SBN report.

“Halting degenerative business practices and protecting and restoring nature will have direct benefits for Aotearoa New Zealand’s economic well-being and prosperity,” reads the report.

Abbie agrees and says Kiwis will not reward companies that are not doing the right thing by nature.

“Consumers absolutely expect that corporates do the right thing and that they act responsibly; so, there’s no doubt that doing good is also good for business,” says Abbie.