Author: Pii-Tuulia Nikula, Associate Professor, School of Business, Eastern Institute of Technology

Air New Zealand’s recent decision to abandon its short-term climate target raises the question of how many other businesses might follow. The airline withdrew from the Science Based Target initiative (SBTi), the leading global body for the private sector to set and validate climate targets. SBTi currently lists 24 New Zealand businesses which have set at least some targets and 11 which made a commitment but are yet to set or have their targets validated. Most of the New Zealand businesses with targets are large companies in industries such as telecommunications and electricity generation. Other examples include well-known businesses such…