New Zealand should remain committed to tackling climate change and focus on the economic opportunities of transitioning to a low-emissions economy, Sustainable Business Council (SBC) and Climate Leaders Coalition (CLC) CEO Mike Burrell said today as he opened the 18th Climate Change & Business Conference in Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland.
Addressing delegates at Aotearoa New Zealand’s premier climate and business event, Mr Burrell said that while the international climate system is imperfect, it has changed the global trajectory and maintaining New Zealand’s commitments and credibility on the world stage is more important than ever.
“In 2015, the world was heading towards 3 to 3.5 degrees of warming this century – a potentially catastrophic path. Thanks to the commitments Paris inspired, today we are on a trajectory of around 2.2 to 2.8 degrees.
That is still far too high. But it represents a reduction of almost one degree on where we thought we would end up.”
Mr Burrell said trust and credibility were critical assets for a small, trade-dependent nation navigating an increasingly complex and uncertain world.
“When we make international commitments, whether on trade, security or climate change, other countries need to know that our word means something.”
“Because if we expect others to honour the commitments that matter to us, we have to honour the commitments we make to them.”
Mr Burrell said climate change remains one of the defining long-term challenges facing New Zealand and the world. While businesses and governments are navigating economic uncertainty, geopolitical tensions and rapid technological change, he said the need to reduce emissions and strengthen resilience has not diminished.
“If we want a say in the global future being created, we have to help shape it. That means credible action at home. And it means using our influence internationally to turn difficult conversations into practical progress.”
Held under the theme Building Momentum. Driving Change., the two-day conference has brought together around 500 business, government, iwi and community leaders in Auckland, with a further 50 participants attending via a satellite hub in Christchurch and additional delegates joining online.
The conference is jointly delivered by the Sustainable Business Council, Climate Leaders Coalition and the Environmental Defence Society.
Mr Burrell said responding to climate change is not only about managing risk, but also about positioning New Zealand to succeed in a rapidly changing global economy.
Alongside discussions on adaptation, resilience, energy, innovation and the global climate outlook, SBC and CLC will also lead a plenary session later today examining the economic opportunities available to New Zealand through the transition to a low-emissions economy.
The session will draw on the organisations’ Driving Sustainable Growth report which quantifies the economic opportunity in transitioning to an innovation and productivity-led economy, underpinned by affordable and plentiful renewable energy, and 2026 Election Policy Priorities, which calls for durable policy settings that support long-term investment, productivity growth and emissions reduction.
“Our research shows New Zealand does not need to choose between economic growth and sustainability. With the right policy settings, investment and innovation, we can strengthen productivity, reduce emissions and improve our long-term competitiveness at the same time,” Mr Burrell said.
