At our recent Power Shift breakfast in Auckland, co-hosted with Tower Insurance, Anna Curzon shared a global perspective on ESG momentum.

As an Advisor to Generate Zero and a New Zealand member of the APEC Business Advisory Council, she offered insights that stretch from boardrooms here in New Zealand to markets around the world.

Her message was simple: global political debate might grab headlines, but inside organisations the story is very different. Around the world, organisations are accelerating their sustainability commitments, not stepping back.

“Globally, business leaders are not slowing down on sustainability — they are speeding up.” - AC

Globally

Looking at the numbers, the trend is undeniable. In 2024, nearly 25,000 companies disclosed through CDP. That represents about two-thirds of global market capitalisation and nearly double the number from just three years ago.

Those companies are seeing a tangible “disclosure dividend.” On average, CDP finds a median of US$33.1m in opportunities per company for US$4.6m in costs. The potential return is up to US$21 for every US$1 invested in mitigating physical climate risks.

More than 90% of large disclosers already have (or soon will have) a process to identify environmental dependencies, risks, and opportunities. And 43% report having a climate transition plan in place.

In 2024 alone, 64% of companies identified environmental opportunities. The collective impact is equal in value to all the world’s gold.

Put simply, transparency has shifted from being a tick-box exercise to an economic imperative that protects long-term value and competitiveness.

“The debate in the Asia Pacific region isn’t whether we should be pursuing climate reporting, but about how to bring some order to the chaos.”  - AC

Across Asia Pacific

Across the 21 APEC economies, which together account for more than 60% of global GDP, organisations are not slowing down on ESG. They are scaling up their commitments to monitor, report, and reduce carbon emissions. Customers, partners, and investors are demanding it.

CDP’s country breakouts highlight both the size of the prize and the case for consistency. On average, companies identify opportunities worth US$73m in Japan and US$9.8m in China. In the United States, the figure is about US$15m per company, while in Canada it climbs to US$71m — pointing to how differences in business and political cultures shape expectations across markets.

At the same time, capability gaps persist: 21% of disclosers globally still don’t conduct any scenario analysis, and only 19% of corporates apply an internal price on environmental externalities (typically carbon). CDP

The challenge is simple: the rules are messy. Disclosure requirements are overlapping, costs are rising, and too much energy is being spent on paperwork instead of climate action. The real opportunity lies in aligning standards and cutting through the red tape.

“We’re seeing sustainability reporting shift from being a cost of compliance to a driver of cost reduction and competitiveness.”  - AC

Shifting the Mindset

One of the strongest themes of the event was how sustainability reporting is being reframed. What was once a box-ticking exercise is now a tool for competitiveness.

When organisations take measurement seriously, they discover opportunities to cut waste, reduce energy use, improve logistics, and strengthen supply chains. These improvements not only lower costs but also show investors and customers that an organisation is future fit and ready to lead.

CDP’s analysis quantifies that shift. Total costs saved by large corporates was US$54.4 billion last year, and the financial benefits of environmental opportunities (US$33.1m) far outweigh the costs to realise them (US$4.6m).

In short: the business case now rewards those who measure and move - optimising energy, logistics, and supply chains while signaling resilience to investors and customers. CDP

“If we want to remain competitive in global markets, our companies need to keep pace with international best practice.” - AC

Back Home in New Zealand

So, what does this mean at home? New Zealand has pledged to cut emissions by more than 50% by 2035. The ambition is clear; credibility will be earned in execution.

Our goods exports to the EU rose from $3.8bn to over $4.8bnthe 12 months to May 2025. Whether you’re a sheep farmer, kiwifruit grower, or machinery exporter, the message is the same: with regions like the EU now enforcing mandatory supply-chain disclosures, our organisations must keep pace to stay competitive.

The good news is many kiwi organisations already are, whether they are exporting or not. Banks, insurers, exporters, and listed organisations are embedding climate reporting and reduction plans into their strategies - not just to satisfy regulators or because international buyers and investors expect it, but because it just makes good business sense.

“By simplifying requirements and driving towards greater global alignment, we reduce cost and complexity while ensuring credibility and unlocking opportunity.” - AC

Looking Ahead

The political debate around ESG may continue, but in boardrooms and supply chains the momentum is heading in one direction: forward. Aligning standards and simplifying requirements will help reduce cost and complexity while opening up new opportunities.

For New Zealand organisations, this is about more than compliance. It is about credibility, competitiveness, and long-term value.  

As Anna reminded us, “This is a win for people, planet, and prosperity.”

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Sources:

CDP, The Disclosure Dividend 2025 (insights page)

CDP, Unlocking the Disclosure Dividend (August 6, 2025)

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