Environmental education of New Zealand business: needs and responses

Abstract

This research project was undertaken for the Ministry for the Environment to identify first, the information that New Zealand businesses needed on environmental issues and, second, how those information needs might be need. The Ministry was interested in seeing New Zealand businesses develop a pro-environmental stance and wanted to identify ways of encouraging the adoption of activities (such as producing an environmental policy or working towards a cradle-to-grave approach) as well as identifying opportunities and constraints surrounding these activities. The research focused on the New Zealand manufacturing sector because it is a large industrial sector with a widespread impact on the environment. Two groups within this sector were identified: a group of Auckland-based businesses that tended to be large and had international connections (either through sister or parent companies), and a group of generally smaller, Christchurch-based companies that tended to be owner-operated. Interviews were undertaken to elicit information on (i) business perceptions of environmental impacts, (ii) organisational and process changes made in response to environmental concerns, (iii) attitudes towards environmental regulation and (iv) the sources through which environmental information is received. The results of the interviews were presented at two small focus groups, one in Auckland and one in Christchurch, comprised of individuals who had been interviewed and interested others. The purpose of the focus groups was to develop strategies that the Ministry for the, Environment might adopt or encourage amongst other groups to improve the level of understanding amongst businesses about environmental issues. Discussion in the focus groups concentrated on, the types of environmental information businesses needed, preferences for obtaining this information and the type of systems (roles, responsibilities and infrastructure) required to deliver this Information.