Ngā kōrero mō mātou
About us

Climate Connect Aotearoa is a hub for collaborative climate innovation. We bring together diverse organisations to develop, demonstrate and scale the solutions needed to ensure we reduce emissions in line with global agreements - starting in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland.

We know we need to move quickly. The climate crisis demands transformational change. Innovative and coordinated thinking, through collaboration between government, Māori, business, academia, funders and investors and community, is vital to come up with the solutions we need. 
 

Ā mātou mahi
What we do

Our kaupapa is to accelerate the uptake of innovation to support Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri: Auckland’s Climate Plan, and its goals to reduce emissions by 50% by 2030, build resilience and deliver a resilient, low-carbon and regenerative economy.

Climate Connect Aotearoa will focus its efforts on four sectors: energy, food, transport and the built environment. These sectors were identified based on the decarbonisation pathway for Tāmaki Makaurau and our regional Climate Change Risk Assessment, both key pieces of work informing Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri: Auckland’s Climate Plan. We recognise that there is a significant crossover between these sectors and take a systems-based approach to identifying demand and solutions.

Our work programmes include:

Climate Challenges – a demand-led innovation process involving multiple parties, centred around four main sectors. Learn more here

Knowledge Hub – a library of resources, links and articles built as a central hub for anyone interested in climate action in Tāmaki Makaurau and beyond. See more here

Ecosystem Mapping – an ever-evolving interactive and visual mapping tool designed to introduce who’s who in the fast-growing climate community to accelerate collaboration across the climate innovation ecosystem

Right now, our job is to connect organisations facing climate change challenges and facilitate innovative solutions. In time, we will also grow our showcase of climate innovation and provide a platform to manage and share climate data and knowledge to build capacity and capability in addressing climate change.
 

Person pointing in forest

Ā mātou mātāpono
Our principles

Me ū ki Te Tiriti

Hold steadfast to the provisions and principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Me aro ki te whakapapa

Focus on interconnectedness and the guidance from those before us. 

Me tīmata kia tika

Focus on the process and what is tika for the kaupapa.

Me tiaki te mauri

Protect the life force that permeates all living things. Ka ora te mauri ka ora te tangata.

Te pūrākau o te tohu

Our tohu (symbol) encapsulates our purpose, telling the pūrākau (story) of where we have come from and where we are going.

Read our pūrākau

Climate Connect Aotearoa green and white tohu

Futures Lab

Climate Connect Aotearoa runs the Challenges programme from Futures Lab, a dedicated innovation space housed in GridAKL in Wynyard Quarter. The space is set up to spark collaboration and ideas that will address some of Auckland’s complex urban, economic, social and sustainability challenges.
 

collaboration and communication across your organisation is vital to determining how to minimise environmental impacts

Tō mātou rōpū tohutohu
Advisory Group

In March 2022, Climate Connect Aotearoa appointed an advisory group of nationally, and internationally, recognised leaders in climate innovation to direct and provide expertise into how the hub would be developed. The group was chaired by Pam Ford, Tātaki Auckland Unlimited’s Director Investment and Industry.

John Hosking portrait image

Professor John Hosking

Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor Strategic Engagement and Dean of Science, The University of Auckland.
David Hall Portrait Image

Dr David Hall

Climate Policy Director, Toha NZ; Founding Director of the Climate Innovation Lab
Abbie Reynolds Portrait Image

Abbie Reynolds

Country Director, The Nature Conservancy; Fellow, NEXT Generation; former CEO, Predator Free 2050 Ltd; former Executive Director, Sustainable Business Council.
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Louise Aitken

Sustainability & Climate Action Lead, Deloitte; Director, Thriving World; former CEO, Ākina
Joanna Kelly Portrait Image

Jo Kelly

CEO, Toitū Tahua: Centre for Sustainable Finance; Board Member, B Lab AANZ
Alec Tang portrait image

Alec Tang

Partner, KPMG New Zealand; Former Director Sustainability, Kāinga Ora
Izzy Fenwick Portrait Image

Izzy Fenwick

Emerging Director, The Aotearoa Circle; Sustainability Design Principal, DNA
Kate Beddoe portrait image

Kate Beddoe

Chief Sustainability and Risk Officer, Silver Fern Farms; former Chief Risk and Sustainability Officer, Vector
Ngarimu Blair portrait image

Ngarimu Blair

Deputy Chair, Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Trust; Chair, the Settlement Protection Team; and Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Trust’s appointee to Whai Rawa Limited
Cristiano Marantes Portrait Image

Cristiano Marantes

Chief Executive, Ara Ake
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Donna Purdue

Chief Economist, MBIE
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Ian Short

Director at The Connective; Board Member for Oceania and former CEO of Climate-Kic EU.
Tātaki Auckland Unlimited Company Logo

Climate Connect Aotearoa is established by Tātaki Auckland Unlimited
on behalf of Auckland Council

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