Kiwi businesses are paying more attention to climate issues, with one in three investing in climate change-related measures, according to Stats NZ.
About 35 per cent of businesses have reported investing in measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions or adapt to potential impacts of climate change during the past two years. Such measures include investment in education or training for staff, purchasing lower-emission plant or equipment, and improving the efficiency of buildings.
“Larger businesses were more likely than smaller businesses to invest in climate change-related measures,” said Ricky Ho, business performance manager at Stats NZ.
More than 50 per cent of businesses, however, said they did not make any climate change-related investment decisions. The most popular investment was in new software of digital technologies, representing 25 per cent.
