Finance is often referred to as the lifeblood of an economy given the important role it plays in enabling economic growth and employment. Where finance flows matters not only for how fast we grow (the rate), but also for how we grow (the direction).
This edition of the CSF newsletter for July 2025 features:
- Public consultation on the NZ Taxonomy
- CSF projects to advance clean energy finance solutions
- Strengthening the CSF partnership
- Expanding the CSF team
- Updates from CSF at our June Partners’ Meeting
- Pilot nature credit projects receiving Government backing
- CSF paper on priority data needs of New Zealand’s financial services sector
- Comparison: CSF and Europe’s guidance on sustainability disclosures for SMEs
- The CSF submission on the Financial Markets (Conduct of Institutions) Amendment (Duty to Provide Financial Services) Amendment Bill
Public consultation is underway on the Aotearoa New Zealand Sustainable Finance Taxonomy
The NZ Taxonomy is a classification system for sustainable economic activities. It enables capital allocation decisions to economic activities that align with the transition to a resilient, low-emissions economy. Learn more and make a submission here.
Accelerating finance solutions for affordable, abundant clean energy
CSF and EECA (the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority) are collaborating and working closely with the financial sector to progress two demonstration projects to accelerate clean energy financing solutions. Learn more here.
Strengthening the CSF partnership
We are pleased to be entering our second year of strategic partnership with the Ministry for the Environment in FY26. We also welcome McGrath Nicol as a foundational partner, and EECA as a project partner.
Expanding the CSF team
We are pleased to announce recent changes to the CSF team. Andy O’Hare is joining as Senior Advisor, Energy, Lucie Drummond as Project Lead, Residential Electrification, and Beth Johnson as Senior Manager, Engagement. Read more here.
June Partners’ Meeting
Nathan Fabian, Chief Sustainable Systems Officer, PRI, spoke at our June Partners’ Meeting about the impacts that shifting geopolitical tides are having on the sustainable finance landscape. The CSF team then provided an update on our progress in FY24/25, and priorities for FY26. Partners can view a recording in the Partners’ Hub.
Government backing of voluntary nature credit projects
The Government will explore its role in setting principles, and a framework for standards, to build confidence and ensure quality in the voluntary nature credits market. Learn more here.
Understanding the priority sustainability data requirements of New Zealand’s financial services sector
Read the latest CSF paper on priorities and key enablers for sustainability related data in Aotearoa New Zealand. Read the paper here.
Comparison: CSF and Europe’s guidance on sustainability disclosures for SMEs
The EU has recently published its simplified guidance for SMEs. As New Zealand’s key export partners require increasingly robust sustainability related information, Starter for Ten: 10 topics for SMEs to start sustainability reporting is designed to support New Zealand SMEs. See our comparison of the two frameworks here.
The CSF submission on the Financial Markets (Conduct of Institutions) Amendment (Duty to Provide Financial Services) Amendment Bill
The Bill is fundamentally misconceived and should not proceed in its current form. Read our submission here.
Climate Change & Business Conference 2025
The 2025 Climate Change & Business Conference takes place on 8–9 September at the Viaduct Events Centre, Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. See the programme and register here.
For up to date resources and information, join the CSF Partners’ Hub
If you are a staff member of one of our partner organisations contact us to access the CSF Partners’ Hub which contains the latest news, events and resources from CSF.
Interested in how New Zealand is progressing toward the vision and recommendations of the Sustainable Finance Forum’s 2030 Roadmap for Action? View or submit to our monitor here.
With thanks to our partners
