Sustainable Business Network (SBN)

OVERVIEW

Overview
Sustainable Business Network (SBN) was established in 2002 in Aotearoa New Zealand. It operates as a membership-based, not-for-profit social enterprise dedicated to advancing sustainable business across the country. Its overarching mission is to support businesses and organisations in aligning economic activity with environmental and social sustainability.

Mission and focus areas

SBN aims to accelerate New Zealand’s transition to a regenerative, equitable, circular economy. Core focus areas include climate action, waste reduction (circular economy), and nature regeneration. Through these themes, SBN supports sustainable finance and ESG-aligned value creation by helping businesses reduce emissions, adopt resource-efficient practices, and integrate nature-positive strategies.

Structure and governance

SBN is governed by a leadership team headed by Founder & Chief Executive Officer Rachel Brown. The organisation draws on a network of over 400 members, spanning small and medium enterprises, corporates, councils, non-profits and individuals. Internal operations cover various functional areas, including advisory services, network engagement, communications, finance, and sustainability project management. SBN’s governance includes oversight from a board that guides strategic direction and ensures accountability.

Programs and offerings

SBN provides diverse tools, resources and programmes to support sustainable business transformation. These include the free online Climate Action Toolbox to help businesses measure and reduce emissions, a circular-economy supplier directory, and sustainability benchmarking tools for SMEs. It offers training and events — from foundational workshops to advanced “Leadership in Sustainable Business” courses — designed for companies at different stages of their sustainability journey. SBN also runs the Sustainable Business Awards, the country’s only national awards recognising excellence in sustainable business practices across climate, waste and nature themes. Through collaboration, advisory support and publicly accessible resources, SBN helps organisations embed ESG integration and long-term sustainable value creation in their strategies.

MISSION STATEMENT

Our mission

Accelerating Aotearoa New Zealand’s transition to an equitable, regenerative, circular economy.

ORGANISATION TYPE

Finance / Corporate Focused NGOs & Think Tanks

YEAR ESTABLISHED

2002

LOCATION

New Zealand

RECENTLY PUBLISHED BY SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS NETWORK (SBN)

Insights on Aotearoa New Zealand sustainability professionals series

This benchmark series provides an annual overview of Aotearoa New Zealand’s sustainability profession, outlining the roles, skills, remuneration, development needs, and workplace contexts of sustainability professionals. It tracks year-on-year trends to help organisations, practitioners, and aspiring professionals understand how the field is evolving across sectors and role types.