Our CEO Carlos Chambers' recently recorded a webinar with Simon Bridges, CEO of the Auckland Business Chamber.

Key Takeaways

• 84% of Kiwis expect businesses to reduce emissions - yet only 1 in 20 NZ companies measure their carbon footprint.
• Modern technology (like CarbonInvoice™) has made sustainability not just accessible but seriously simple for small to medium businesses.
• Auckland businesses are already seeing tangible benefits from taking carbon action - from winning tenders to strengthening client relationships.
• Carbon action creates co-benefits beyond sustainability: team building, community engagement, and brand differentiation.

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Insights from the Experts

Here are some interesting quotes from Carlos:

"The market forces driving this are not just about doing good. They're about creating tangible business opportunities for those who act. And there are real risks for those who ignore this for too long."

"We are seeing in New Zealand weightings anywhere between 5-20% on sustainability and ESG [in procurement decisions]."

"You don't have to believe in climate change to see the business benefits. You just have to believe that it's the right thing to do for your business."

Here are some interesting quotes from Simon:

"There’s plenty of co-benefits. Yes, you're doing a climate change good. But if you're out with your team planting trees, it's great team building. You're doing something in your local community which you can reference back for reputational benefit."

"In the end, the long-term trend isn't going away."

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The Changing Business Landscape

Here are some key points about how the business landscape is changing around climate reporting and action:

• Voluntary Market Phase: New Zealand SMEs aren't currently regulated, but market forces are creating genuine business opportunities for those that take early action.
• Supply Chain Pressure: Large companies (such as One NZ) are asking suppliers for carbon data because 40-60% of their emissions sit in their supply chain, which they are required to report.
• Client Expectations: 1 in 4 Kiwis are willing to pay more for sustainably produced goods and services despite cost of living pressures.
• First-Mover Advantage: With 19 out of 20 NZ businesses not measuring their carbon footprint, early adopters are able to gain significant differentiation.

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Auckland Success Stories

Frog Recruitment

Shannon Barlow's team is now winning more tenders by proactively including sustainability credentials in every pitch. They're leveraging the 5-20% weighting on sustainability in procurement decisions from large corporates and government and turning it into a competitive advantage.

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Farrow Jamieson

When Iain MacGibbon shared their tree planting efforts in a customer newsletter, four key clients asked how they could get involved. They've now booked their own private Planting Action Day, turning sustainability into valuable client engagement.

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ClockWorX

Angela Fisher implemented carbon measurement in her outsourced bookkeeping business using CarbonInvoice™ - with zero process changes required. As a business obsessed with efficient processes, she was blown away by how they could take meaningful climate action without disrupting operations.

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Myth Busting: What's Stopping You?

"It's too expensive and difficult"

Reality: RocketSpark measured their carbon footprint in 10 minutes after connecting their accounting software. CarbonInvoice™ has dramatically cut the cost and complexity.

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"We don't have the expertise"

Reality: You don't need climate scientists on your team. Third-party solutions provide the expertise, letting you focus on your core business.

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"We can't handle process change"

Reality: CarbonInvoice™ integrate with your existing accounting software. There's no process change - you don't add new accounts or change how you do things.

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"Our footprint is too small to matter"

Reality: Every business has an impact, and clients increasingly care about how you're taking responsibility - regardless of size.

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"I don't believe in climate change"

Reality: You don't have to. You just need to believe in doing what's right for your business, which also happens to be right for your community.

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The Business Case for Carbon Action

Win More Business

• 5-20% weighting on sustainability in tender processes
• Three common tender questions you need to answer:
  1. Tell us about your sustainability policy or goals
  2. Tell us what you've done to advance those goals
  3. Tell us how much carbon has been created by your goods or services in connection with our work together

ROI Calculation

For a business with $1M revenue spending $1,000/year on carbon action:

• Win just one tender worth $100,000 with a 20% sustainability weighting
• That's $20,000 attributable to your carbon action
• Potential return of 20x on your investment

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Strengthen Client Relationships

Create meaningful engagement opportunities through sustainability initiatives like planting days - as Farrow Jamieson discovered when clients actively asked to participate.

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Three Ways to Take Carbon Action

DIY Approach

• Good if you already have sustainability expertise in-house
• Gives you control over the process
• Requires dedicated resources and time

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Consultant Pathway

• Provides expert guidance for complex business cases
• Typically costs tens of thousands
• Can take months to complete initial measurement

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Software Solution

• Most affordable option for SMEs
• Measure your carbon footprint in minutes, not months (with CarbonInvoice™)
• No expertise required