Kick-starting the transition in New Zealand – the role of corporate governance in the transition to a low-carbon economy

Momentum is building in the race to net zero, but the most recent IPCC was a sobering reminder that we are running out of time to keep warming below 1.5 degrees. While the rate of emissions is slowing, annual emissions are still rising. Any further delay in concerted anticipatory global action on adaptation and mitigation means we "will miss a brief and rapidly closing window of opportunity to secure a liveable and sustainable future for all."

It is clear that corporates have a significant impact on our ability to meet domestic and global emissions targets - yet NZ boards are primarily being asked to focus on how the changing environment (physical, social and regulatory) impacts them. Join a panel of legal, governance and sustainability experts to discuss the current state of play on New Zealand boards and the levers available to kickstart transition planning.

Date: Thursday 6 October at 12pm.

Topics will include:

Legal frameworks: director's duties and regulation
Culture and capability: current approaches and challenges
Accountability structures (investors, certifications etc)
International trends: What can we learn from overseas approaches?

Panel:

- Simon Jensen (Buddle Findlay) – Simon brings a critical, legal lens to the panel with over 25 years’ experience advising on financial sector regulation, payments and clearing systems, and projects and advice for financial institutions. He provides specialist regulatory and governance advice to most of New Zealand's banks, the Crown, Payments NZ, credit card companies, large global entertainment and IT companies, infrastructure companies, finance companies, entrepreneurs, offshore banks and foreign governments.

- Jonathan Mason (Professional Director, Chapter Zero) - Jonathan is a member of the Chapter Zero New Zealand Steering Committee. He has had an extensive governance career in the financial markets in both the United States and New Zealand for over 30 years, with a strong emphasis on emerging markets. Jonathan currently serves as the Chair of Vector Limited and is a Director on the boards of Air New Zealand, Westpac New Zealand Ltd and Zespri Group Ltd.

- Julia Jackson (Kiwibank) – Julia is Head of Purpose and Sustainability at Kiwibank, New Zealand’s largest B Corp-certified bank (and only one of two). She played a leading role in the bank’s approximately three-year certification process, and continues to advise the Kiwibank executive and Board on key issues, risks and opportunities relating to sustainability, including climate change. Julia moved to Kiwibank after roles at Westpac and the Sustainable Business Network.

- Laura Hillis (Investor Group on Climate Change) - Laura is the Director of Corporate Engagement at IGCC and leads the regional implementation of Climate Action 100+ in Australia and New Zealand. As a sustainable finance specialist with 15 years of experience working across investment, banking and insurance on social, environmental and governance (ESG) issues, she manages IGCC’s corporate engagement program of work and thematic research on corporate climate change issues relevant to investors. She was a key contributor to the development of the Climate Action 100+ Net Zero Company Benchmark in 2020 and led the development of the initiative’s 2019 and 2020 progress reports. Prior to joining IGCC in 2019, I worked in the banking and insurance sector at both Bank Australia and the Suncorp Group in ESG, sustainability and corporate responsibility roles.

- Te Aroha Grace (Huatau, Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei) - Te Aroha is Chief Relationship Officer of Huatau, a business helping people grow the knowledge, skills, and confidence they need to best navigate this world together. Previously, Te Aroha managed the largest team in his tribal office of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākeiand was involved in successful activities that were designed to empower tribal regeneration.