12 September 2019
A Waikato climate change summit in Hamilton later this month is setting the stage for activists and academics, student
leaders, council candidates and community groups to work together on actions to plan, adapt and thrive in a changing
climate.
The Waikato CAN (Climate Action Now) Summit is inviting people from across the region to participate in the day,
scheduled to coincide with the United Nations Climate Action Youth Summit and Zero Emissions Day on Saturday 21
September.
People interested in attending are encouraged to email climate.action.now@waikatoregion.govt.nz.
“The climate’s changing and so must we,” said Waikato Regional Council and mayoral forum chair, Alan Livingston. “But
climate change, and transitioning to net carbon zero by 2050, is not something councils can address by themselves. All
parts of society are required to manage the risks climate change presents.
“That’s why I’m excited about this summit, and especially the opportunity for councils to work with our region’s
passionate and energetic young people on developing solutions to such an important and significant issue.”
Last month the Waikato Mayoral Forum threw its support behind the region’s councils working together with the community
on a climate change action roadmap, which will step through current and planned regional activities as part of New
Zealand’s transition to net carbon zero by 2050.
Waikato CAN organisers are aiming for the event to be carbon neutral and are encouraging people to choose lower
emissions travel to the event at Rototuna High School – walk, run, bus, scooter or bike. If there is enough demand,
buses will be available to bring people from towns across the region. RSVPs need to be received by organisers to make
this happen.
The event will also include a 3D mapping workshop, a creative and engaging approach to developing solutions and
identifying actions. The actions will feed into the climate change action roadmap for the Waikato.
“We’ll exchange views and ideas to help us lower our carbon footprint in the Waikato and transfer this knowledge to our
communities, workplaces and schools,” Cr Livingston said.
Guest speakers include Professor James Renwick from Victoria University who was awarded the 2018 New Zealand Prime
Minister’s Science Prize for communication and Professor Ian White from the University of Waikato, an engaging science
communicator and TEDx speaker. They’ll be joined by a number of other speakers providing context around transport,
energy, construction, rural land use, the Māori perspective on climate change and how people can turn ‘knowing into
doing’ at home.
Cr Livingston said while all councils are factoring climate change into policy, regulatory, operational and corporate
support areas, it was important to work together with all Waikato sectors to adopt an agreed roadmap.
The summit has been organised with the support of the Waikato Plan Leadership Committee, Waikato Regional Council,
University of Waikato, Go Eco, Xtreme Zero Waste, Enviroschools and School Environment Leaders.
ends