Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti
2 minutes ago
Associate Professor Pii-Tuulia Nikula presented the final public lecture in a series organised by EIT’s Research and Innovation Centre (RIC).
EIT’s final public lecture of the year concluded with a thought-provoking session by Associate Professor Pii-Tuulia Nikula who shared her journey exploring the intricate relationship between climate change and business.
The lecture, titled Turning Up the Heat: Businesses and Climate Change, was the final in the series: ‘Reconnecting Through Research’, at MTG Hawke’s Bay recently, organised by EIT’s Research and Innovation Centre (RIC).
Central to her presentation was the critical question: Are businesses exacerbating the climate crisis, or are they helping to solve it by taking ambitious action?
This question set the stage for a discussion on the dual role businesses play in either contributing to or mitigating climate change.
She examined both the global and local trends shaping this issue, highlighting how some industries and organisations are stepping up to address environmental concerns, while others are still lagging behind.
A key focus of the lecture was the analysis of climate disclosures, science-based decarbonisation targets, and the barriers businesses face in taking action.
Pii-Tuulia discussed the rising importance of climate-related financial disclosures and the need for businesses to adopt measurable climate targets. The lecture also addressed the challenges businesses face, including the financial risks of climate change and the complexity of integrating sustainability into their existing business models.
“Climate change is not just an environmental issue, it’s a business issue,” she said. “To ensure long-term sustainability, companies need to rethink their business models to make sure that they are future-proofed”.
She explored the difference between symbolic and substantive engagement. While some businesses make claims about their commitment to sustainability, Pii-Tuulia pointed out that these symbolic commitments need to be followed by tangible actions that reduce organisational carbon footprints.
She discussed the critical role of businesses in shaping broader climate action, not just within their own operations, but also in their supply chains and external collaborations.
She also stressed that business leaders and policymakers must collaborate closely to create effective solutions and policies that drive real, systemic change.