Sustainability Demystified

It is awards season at the Sustainable Business Network with the 23rd annual Sustainable Business Awards happening 20 Nov 2025. This episode we take a look at the finalists of the 2025 awards and what cool innovations and projects they're working on. Vying for the top two awards, winners will be announced in Auckland tonight as they celebrate the incredible work of our homegrown innovators.

https://sustainable.org.nz/next/whos-next/?mc_cid=ad433e79a9&mc_eid=8ab925d706

This episode we follow up our talk with Mitch Shaw, the co-founder of Upstream, about how they have continued their reach with their sustainability reporting tool, OATAS. Hear about how they're helping the construction industry to improve environmental outcomes and achieve social good in the process.

To learn more about Upstream and OATAS, check out their website: https://www.oatas.co/

This episode we talk to Mitch Shaw, the co-founder of Upstream, about how their social enterprise gives back to youth charities in Canterbury. Hear about how you as a business or individual can support these charities whilst going about your everyday activities.

To learn more about Upstream, check out their website: https://www.upstream.co.nz/

This episode we discuss the upcoming Adaptation Futures Conference 2025 happening 13-16 October at Te Pae in Christchurch. There is a big line up of the latest scientific research happening in the climate space, with leaders and academics converging from all over the world. Check out the conference proceedings here to learn more, or head along in-person or online. https://adaptationfutures2025.com/

In this episode, we look at digital product passports, what are they, and how to leverage them by getting ahead of consumer expectations, export demand and tightening regulations. Digital Product Passports (DPPs) are digital records that provide detailed information about a product's lifecycle, its origin, materials, environmental impact, and disposal recommendations. Under the EU Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), DPPs will be mandatory for many products traded in the EU.

There is a lengthy list of environmental certifications to pick from, so where do you start when it comes to choosing the right one for your business? We discuss the benefits of going down the certification route and some different things to consider.

Check out the full list on Millie's blog: https://millietaylorsustainability.substack.com/p/environmental-certifications-how

If you have any questions about certifications, feel free to send us an email to [email protected] 

On 24 July, the world’s highest court, the International Court of Justice, released its landmark advisory opinion clarifying the legal obligations of nations of the world in relation to climate change. Will this judgement boost the already increasingly-prolific number of global climate court cases?

https://www.lawyersforclimateaction.nz/

https://www.climate-court.com/post/big-climate-litigation-cases-to-watch-in-2025/

https://www.climateinthecourts.com/ten-climate-court-wins-in-2024/

In this episode, we want to give a big shout out to Kiwi companies who are tackling the issue of waste and taking steps to a more circular business model, in particular, Waitaha Canterbury companies. There's no such thing as waste in nature. Business has a lot to learn from Mother Earth's circular model. Listen to hear more about brands such as Offcut, Medsalv, Eco Store, and The Warehouse with how they're creating new value out of 'waste'.

In this episode, we chat with Tanya Sheen, GM of Christchurch Community House, a modern co-working hub that's dedicated to helping non-profits and impact-driven organisations make a difference in the world. Currently home to about 20 social enterprises, from Assistance Dogs NZ Trust to Girl Guiding NZ, Bluelight, The Nest Collective, Volunteering Canterbury, and many more...

CCH is an affordable space for like-minded organisations to collaborate, network, and share resources.

Go to cch.org.nz to explore their workspaces or organise a tour with Tanya.

What can we learn from the way we united as a nation during the Covid-19 pandemic, and how can we apply that in the context of climate change?

Based off the findings of this Victoria University Policy Quarterly article, we discuss what worked well during the government's response to the pandemic and why those same tactics aren't being utilised when it comes to the climate crisis.

Read the full article here: https://ojs.victoria.ac.nz/pq/article/view/9640/8534