In part of an ongoing series we meet the team behind Climate Connect Aotearoa. Meet Alex Kirkham, our Climate Innovation Lead – Energy.
Tell us about your role with Climate Connect Aotearoa?
My role focuses on working with community innovators, mana whenua, businesses and government to identify and develop opportunities that improve access to affordable, renewable energy, and support the transition to a more resilient and low-emissions energy system.
At Climate Connect Aotearoa, we take a programme approach to this work — bringing together research, community engagement and real-world pilots to understand the challenges, test new solutions, and help enable wider adoption through partnerships and collaboration.
A key part of my role is leading and supporting a portfolio of initiatives across this programme. That includes work like the Franklin Energy Sharing Pilot with Ara Ake and Counties Energy, as well as supporting community energy initiatives and contributing to research and engagement that helps shape the broader energy system. What I enjoy most is that it spans both working on the ground with communities and partners, and helping to deliver projects that have the potential to influence how energy is generated, shared and used in the future.
How did you arrive at a career in climate action?
After working as a journalist for a while, I did some further study in environmental management at Melbourne University. I worked in waste regulation and policy at the Environmental Protection Authority Victoria where there was a big focus on environmental justice and restoration for those who have been impacted by pollution offences. I continued working in waste strategy when I joined Auckland Council, where I had a small opportunity to contribute to the waste actions in Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri: Auckland’s Climate Plan. I could see how much amazing work was on the horizon, and I've been wanting to help address some of the impacts climate change will have on those who don't have the resources to prepare, along with the cost the transition will have on some parts of our community.
What drives you to do this mahi?
Working on big complex problems like climate change can be weighty on your soul, but collaborating with others who are passionate, who really care about people and the planet, and are able to break some of the challenges we face into workable chunks is very rewarding.
