Navigating climate reporting challenges and opportunities

Overview 

Despite being mandatory for some, climate reporting is increasingly becoming less optional if businesses want access to markets, finance, insurance and customers.  
 
Chapter Zero New Zealand and KPMG New Zealand worked in collaboration to develop Lessons from the front line through conversations with those who have first-hand experience delivering and using mandatory climate statements. 
 
Our speakers will provide insights from different perspectives that together, are essential for robust and transparent reporting – a director, a sustainability expert and an investor perspective. 
 
This webinar will explore key insights from the recently released report by KPMG and Chapter Zero NZ, focusing on how directors (of Climate Reporting Entities and non-CREs) can enhance climate governance in their organisations. Attendees will gain lessons from real-world examples, understand emerging best practices, and learn how to navigate common governance challenges related to climate change. 
 
Key themes to be discussed include: 

• Embedding climate governance into boardroom discussions
• Identifying risks and being open to opportunities
• Avoiding greenwashing and greenhushing
• Opportunities to move past compliance to create long-term value
• International reporting trends, trade agreements and market expectations
• Managing the balance between long-term climate goals and short-term business pressures 

IoD members may log 1 CPD point for attending this webinar or watching on demand.

Speakers

Abby Foote CFInstD 
Abby Foote is a professional director with over 12 years’ governance experience, including publicly listed and Crown companies. Abby is currently Chair of Christchurch City Holdings Limited a Director of Freightways Limited and KMD Brands Limited. Abby’s previous governance roles include Chair of Z Energy and a director of TVNZ, Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, Transpower New Zealand, Livestock Improvement Corporation (LIC) and the New Zealand Local Government Funding Agency (LGFA). Abby holds qualifications in both law and accounting with a professional background focused on corporate finance and commercial transactions. Abby is a Chartered Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Directors. 
 
Katie Beith 
Katie has been in the Responsible Investment industry for 20 years, with the first part of her career spent overseas, predominantly in the UK. After returning to New Zealand in 2015, she spent 6 years with the New Zealand Super Fund and then moved to become the Head of ESG at Forsyth Barr in 2021 where she writes research on how New Zealand companies are transitioning towards a low carbon future and helps clients reflect their values in portfolios. Amongst other things, Katie currently serves as the Deputy Chair of the NZ National Advisory Board for Impact Investing and is a member of New Zealand’s inaugural Stewardship Code Governing Committee. She is also on the Investment Committee for NZ impact investor, Purpose Capital. 
 
Sanel Tomlinson  
Sanel has over 30 years’ experience advising clients across industries and geographies with a particular focus on matters affecting business from a finance and corporate reporting perspective. She leads the firm’s Impact Measurement initiative, and currently works with clients on their ESG reporting strategies and in particular implementing the Aotearoa New Zealand Climate Standards.  

Before re-joining KPMG in New Zealand, she was the Head of Strategy for the External Reporting Board (XRB) and led the initial set up of the Climate Standards project, including acting as the interim Project Director.  
Sanel was previously a partner at KPMG in New Zealand and in China. In these roles she led audit and assurance engagements, and advised clients on the implementation of international financial reporting standards and more recently sustainable/green finance and ESG regulations.  

Sanel is passionate about inclusion and financial literacy and regularly engages in voluntary and/or not-for-profit initiatives. Sanel was one of the founding members of KPMG China’s Inclusion and Diversity Council and in 2019 Sanel was awarded KPMG China’s Chairmen award for services to the community.

Facilitator