Video: Just Transition Summit programme ready

Filmmakers and environmental advocates James and Suzy Cameron (Avatar, Aliens, Titanic, The Abyss, The Terminator) are keynote speakers at the inaugural National Just Transition Summit on May 9 and 10.

The summit will bring youth, Maori, workers, businesses, communities and local and central government together at the TSB Stadium in New Plymouth to kick-start a national conversation about what a just transition to a low emissions economy could look like – including low to zero emissions transport.

“We have got an exciting programme for this first Just Transition Summit and I am pleased to be able to announce James and Suzy Cameron as two of our speakers,” Woods says.

It’s an opportunity to get involved in shaping New Zealand’s pathway to a low emissions future, she says.

“James and Suzy will be co-presenting a keynote address and join an impressive list of people with a range of backgrounds and perspectives to look at how we achieve a just transition to a low emissions economy.”

Others among more than 20 speakers include prime minister Jacinda Ardern, Woods, environment minister James Shaw, Andrew Clennett from Hiringa Energy, Peter Garrett (Midnight Oil), Peter Bryant of The World Innovation Network and Leon Clement of Synlait.

“The summit will include information on global and local responses to the emissions challenge, the role technology and innovation has to play in this work and the implications for businesses and workers, among other issues.”

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.

“This is an incredibly important forum for mapping out how we achieve a fair and prosperous future for coming generations, and we are delighted to be joining this discussion,” James Cameron says.

“We are going to need to start planning and doing things differently in small and large ways and the sooner we start working together across society to do this, the better. We need to actively meet the economic, social and environmental challenges we face head on and in a unified way.”

The summit is being co-hosted by the New Plymouth District Council, and mayor and guest speaker Neil Holdom says Taranaki is at the forefront of the Just Transition in New Zealand.

“When we talk about a Just Transition, we’re discussing a fundamental change in the way we power our economy, not seen in New Zealand since the Think Big era of the early 1980s,” Holdom says.

“Taranaki is the perfect region to lead from the front, given our decades of history with the energy sector and the knowledge, skills and expertise we’ve developed. It’s a good opportunity to showcase the work we’ve already got underway through our economic development strategy Tapuae Roa and the subsequent focus on retention of high value employment and wealth creation opportunities within our district.”

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.

The region has also produced an H2 Taranaki Roadmap, released by Hiringa, the New Plymouth council and Venture Taranaki.

Visit justtransitionsummit.nz

for more information.