On 30 October 2026, Property Council submitted on the Aotearoa New Zealand Sustainable Finance Taxonomy (NZ Taxonomy): Construction and Buildings criteria.
Why this matters to our members
Property Council supports the Taxonomy’s objective of directing investment towards activities that contribute to New Zealand’s climate and sustainability goals. The framework has the potential to help guide investment in new developments, existing buildings and building improvements. It is therefore important that it is relevant and useful to our members and the wider property sector.
Our view
While supportive of its intent, Property Council is concerned that the criteria, as it currently stands, need 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 will limit voluntary uptake across the sector and reduce the Taxonomy’s ability to achieve its intended objectives.