Time to embrace flourishing green future

Rather than risking our environment and our reputation by opening marginally accessible petroleum reserves to foreign oil corporations, the emphasis should be on investing in those industries that can provide us with an advantage in rapidly emerging markets just as renewable energy and the businesses that spin off that, from electric vehicles to cloud computing.

A recent Business Council for Sustainable Development poll underscored its importance to exporters, with 86 per cent saying our "100% Pure" image was important for helping assure market access and giving New Zealand a competitive marketing edge. The poll as well revealed that only 2 per cent of New Zealanders believe the country lives up to its "100% Pure" image.

Trustee of Pure Advantage

Phillip Mills is a trustee of Pure Advantage, a group of business leaders promoting green growth strategies for New Zealand. Other trustees include Rob Morrison, Lloyd Morrison, Sir Stephen Tindall, Joan Withers, Prof Sir Paul Callahan, Jeremy Moon, Rob Fyfe, Chris Liddell, Sir George Fistonich, Geoff Ross and Justine Smyth.