Have your say: Sustainable Finance Taxonomy – Construction and Buildings criteria

Tue, 27 October 2026

The Centre for Sustainable Finance (CSF), in partnership with the New Zealand Government, is developing the NZ Taxonomy. This voluntary classification system provides common criteria for identifying sustainable and transition-aligned economic activities. It aims to give investors, lenders and businesses greater clarity when assessing sustainability and help direct capital towards activities that support a low-emissions, climate-resilient economy.

What does property Council think?

Property Council supports the Taxonomy’s objective of directing investment towards activities that contribute to New Zealand’s climate and sustainability goals.

However, we are concerned that the criteria as it currently stands needs to be more outcome-focused, with clearer, simpler and more practical requirements that are easier to understand and apply. The criteria should also reflect current market practices, capabilities and readiness to ensure they are practical and achievable for the sector.

Without these changes, the current technical and prescriptive approach may limit voluntary uptake across the sector and reduce the Taxonomy’s ability to achieve its intended objectives.

Have your say to ensure the criteria is workable for our sector

To make it easier for members to participate, we’ve prepared a template submission outlining Property Council’s position on the NZ Taxonomy’s Construction and Buildings criteria. We encourage you to add your own experiences and feedback to help ensure the criteria are practical and workable for the property sector.

How to submit

Download the template submission.
Fill in the date and your organisation’s name.
your own examples, feedback and experiences
Complete the sign-off with your name and role.
You can also amend the template or add your own views.
Email your submission to this address: taxonomy@sustainablefinance.nz

Author | Sandamali Ambepitiya

Opinion | Doing more with less