Just Transition Summit ready to roll

Prime minister Jacinda Ardern opens the first national Just Transition Summit in New Plymouth on May 9 and 10 covering a low emissions economy, which features low to zero emission transport.

Other political heavyweights among about 20 speakers include energy and resources minister Megan Woods, climate change minister James Shaw and former Australian Labor minister Peter Garrett of Midnight Oil with former South Australian premier Jay Weatherill also contributing.

Keynote speakers are filmmakers and environmental advocates James and Suzy Cameron (Avatar, Aliens, Titanic, The Abyss, The Terminator).

The Camerons will discuss how New Zealand can maximise the opportunities of symbolic global leadership and ensure that it has a future-proofed economy for 2050 and beyond.

The summit at the TSB Stadium in New Plymouth aims to launch a national conversation about what a just transition to a low emissions economy could look like.

Andrew Clennett from Hiringa Energy, Peter Bryant of The World Innovation Network, Leon Clement of Synlait, ARUP global energy systems leader Alan Thompson, Ports of Auckland’s Wayne Thompson and New Zealand Hydrogen Association chief executive officer Dr Linda Wright will also speak.

The summit will include information on global and local responses to the emissions challenge and the role technology and innovation has to play, Woods says.

A case study about an autonomous, electric air taxi being trialled in Canterbury by Zephyr Airworks is on the agenda, for instance.

The summit is being co-hosted by the New Plymouth District Council with mayor Neil Holdom speaking too.

Taranaki is at the forefront of the hydrogen industry with the likes of Hiringa Energy which expects to have the first of three New Zealand hydrogen refuelling stations for trucking operations and warehousing ready next year.

Visit justtransitionsummit.nz

for more information.