Be the sustainability champion in your organisation!
Industry News
Special Announcement...
Did you know that 16 to 25 September 2022 is the Global Week to #Act4SDGs? This is a global mobilisation to show world leaders that people all around the world are committed, dedicated, and inspired to take action on the Sustainable Development Goals.
To celebrate #Act4SDGs, HRNZ in collaboration with Bead and Proceed, is excited to introduce HRNZ SDG Week - to celebrate, promote, and recognise sustainability throughout the Aotearoa HR community and beyond. Our SDG Week will take place from during the Global Week to #Act4SDGs, with a variety of special sustainability activities and events.
What are the SDGs?
Sustainability is important to every sector, industry, nation, and therefore, everyone. SDGs – Sustainable Development Goals are the largest globally recognised framework for sustainability as they are adopted by all 193 United Nations. However, the United Nations does not own the SDGs, we all do!
As highlighted by the Sustainable Development Solutions Network, there are six transformations required for the SDGs to be achieved by the 2030 deadline:
- Education, Gender, and Inequality
- Health, Wellbeing, and Demography
- Energy Decarbonization and Sustainable Industry
- Sustainable Food, Land, Water, and Oceans,
- Sustainable Cities and Communities
- Digital Revolution for Sustainable Development
New Zealand is currently ranked at number 26 out of 163 on the SDG Global Rank Index. Check out Aotearoa SDG Dashboards and Trends to get an idea of what we are positively progressing and what we could do better!
HRNZ's Sustainability Commitment
All 17 SDGs are important, however some will be more relevant to your business than others. Rather than attempting to 'tackle' all of the goals at once, it is a better idea to focus on the goals that are more closely related to your business.
At HRNZ, we are putting our attention towards the following six SDGs and aligning ourselves with the relevant targets associated with each:
- SDG 3 – Good health and wellbeing
- SDG 4 – Quality education
- SDG 8 – Decent work and economic growth
- SDG 10 – Reduce inequalities
- SDG 12 – Responsible consumption and production
- SDG 13 – Climate action
HRNZ is committed to weaving sustainable practices, solutions, and strategies throughout our organisation, to inspire our team, our members, and the wider HR Community to be sustainability champions.
We are kickstarting our sustainable change through our mahi and networking with Aotearoa organisations and businesses, and by recognising those who make an impact towards areas of sustainable development. We are proud to introduce a new NZ HR Award in 2023 – the Building Sustainability through People Award. HRNZ encourage you to shine a light on your sustainability initiatives – big or small - by applying. Keep in mind, taking action for sustainability is a part of something great(er).
Submit your Sustainability Story!
New Zealand Climate Change Action
Government Climate-Change Work Programme
The Government is committed to Aotearoa New Zealand becoming a world leader in climate change action, through:
- Climate Change Response (Zero Carbon) Amendment Act
- Emissions Budgets – The first three budgets were published in May 2022
- Emissions Reduction Plan – Contribute to global efforts to limit global temperature rise to 1.5˚C above pre-industrial levels.
- New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme – Reduces greenhouse gas emissions
- Carbon Neutral Government Programme – Accelerates the reduction of emissions within the public sector
- National Adaptation Plan – Sets out how Aotearoa can adapt
- Sustainable Finance – Invests in climate change action
- And more…
Climate Change Response (Zero Carbon) Amendment Act
The Act provides a framework by which New Zealand can develop and implement climate change policies that contribute to the global effort and allow New Zealand to prepare for, and adapt to, the effects of climate change. Its key focuses are:
- A new domestic greenhouse gas emissions reduction target
- A system of emissions budgets established
- Government to develop and implement policies for climate change adaptation and mitigation
- A new, independent Climate Change Commission to provide expert advice and monitoring for long-term goals
Climate Action Toolbox
The Carbon Emissions Calculator – the newest feature of Climate Action Toolbox, has been launched in New Zealand as a “game-changer” for employers, to identify the key areas in an action plan to reduce their carbon footprint.
Implications for HR Professionals
Creating a sustainable future are for the people and requires the action of people. HR is all about people, and so are SDGs. They are known as the People’s Goal, and essential to the SDGs is the notion, ‘leave no one behind’.
The concept of sustainability is not always widely understood with some still associating it solely with climate change. As an HR professional, you should:
- Establish, encourage, and incentivise sustainable practices in the workplace
- Support your employees’ personal sustainability behaviours
- Provide educations on the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals
- Promote Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in your workplace culture and in every stage of an employee cycle
- Support employees’ wellbeing through wellness initiatives, flexible working options, and leave entitlements
Start small and early, and let the impact grow big!
Further Reading
Check out some of these useful resources that can help you and your organisation act on the SDG's: