Climate Action Toolbox FAQs

The Toolbox is hosted on the award-winning business.govt.nz platform which provides tools and expert advice from government and industry, designed to help Kiwi businesses save time and succeed. Visit the Toolbox here.

All Kiwi businesses have a role to play in reducing our emissions. Hosting the Toolbox on the business.govt.nz platform helps more businesses access the tool and promotes the widespread adoption of climate action.

The Toolbox is designed for small and medium businesses, but can be used by any business wanting to take climate action. It can help businesses that want to reduce emissions but may be unsure how to get started. It can also help businesses wanting to increase what they’re already doing. Smaller businesses, in particular, often have limited funds and time and can find the array of existing tools confusing. The Toolbox makes it easy for them to act on climate.

The Toolbox should provide value to businesses in most sectors. We have also added tailored information and actions for the construction and manufacturing sectors.

The Toolbox starts with a simple self-assessment which helps identify the key areas in your business where emissions can be reduced. It then provides a range of options with step-by-step guides for taking action, along with links to other information to help you. It allows you to create an action plan that you can review and update anytime. It also includes a free carbon calculator to get a better understanding of where your emissions come from. 

Yes. We have added an emissions calculator which helps businesses identify the key areas for reducing their carbon footprint. View the calculator here. 

The Toolbox includes more than 40 actions for reducing emissions over five key areas – transport (moving people and goods), office operations, site operations and equipment, and the design and making of products. Each action includes a step-by-step guide and links to more details. It also includes inspiring case studies of Kiwi businesses already taking climate action.

We know time can be a barrier so we’ve made the Toolbox super easy to use. The first step is a two-minute self-assessment. After that, you’ll be presented with a range of actions you can take. You can drill down for more detail or shortlist your favourite ideas. You can then save your plan and come back whenever you have time to learn more or update progress.

Calculating your carbon emissions can be more time intensive as you will need to collect data on your business activities, such as energy and fuel use and travel information. This will help you identify key areas where you can reduce emissions and track your progress over time. As with the action plan, you can get started on your emission measurement and save your progress to come back to whenever you have time.

Most other tools are designed to measure emissions. They usually provide ways to offset those emissions rather than reduce them. In addition to offering a carbon calculator, the Toolbox focuses on providing you with a range of actions to reduce emissions, tailored to your business or your calculator results. 

The Toolbox is free to use thanks to the collaboration of organisations from the public and private sectors that believe climate action needs to be integrated into the way we do business in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Initiated by the Sustainable Business Network and co-led with business.govt.nz (Ministry for Business, Innovation & Employment), the group included EECA, Spark, Meridian Energy, BNZ, Waka Kotahi (NZ Transport Agency) and NZ Trade & Enterprise. The Toolbox has been co-designed and developed with design consultancy DNA.

We run in-person and online events for business groups. For more check out our workshop page.

Yes, most other carbon programmes focus on measuring emissions. That’s a good start. You can then use the Toolbox to get tailored advice on how to reduce your carbon footprint.

The Toolbox is simple to use and it’s free. It makes it easy to find all the information you need. No more searching countless websites that can leave you feeling confused. Get advice relevant to your business and create an action plan with step-by-step guides for reducing emissions.

Taking action on climate has a range of benefits for all businesses. They include saving money, boosting sales and your reputation, attracting and keeping staff, and inspiring other businesses to be more sustainable. There is a growing expectation among NZ consumers and employees that businesses need to address their impacts on climate change. Some overseas markets are more advanced in climate action and there is a growing need for exporters to meet their expectations.

As 97% of businesses in NZ are small to medium sized, they have an important role to play in reducing emissions. To make that happen now they need support from government, larger companies and the financial sector. The more businesses that get involved, the bigger the impact.

Larger businesses may find it helpful, especially if they’re looking for ways to reduce their emissions. They can also promote climate action by sharing the Toolbox with the many smaller businesses that are their customers and suppliers.