2015 Climate Change & Business Conference
Click the links below to view speaker powerpoint presentations and some videos.
Tuesday 20 October 2015: Conference Day One
SESSION 1: GLOBAL CONTEXT
A global science, policy and business update.
Chair: Colin James, Journalist
Science: Climate change and global risk: Implications of the latest climate change science, Professor Dave Frame, Director and Professor of Climate Change, Victoria University
International Policy: How are national policy-makers and business leaders responding to the climate challenge?
- Hon Mark Gilbert, United States Ambassador to New Zealand
- Dr Rachelle Duvall, Research Physical Scientist, United States Environmental Protection Agency
- Paul Polman, CEO, Unilever (video pre-record)
- Rod Oram, Business Journalist
SESSION 2: PARIS
A review of what countries will bring to the table at Paris, likely outcomes and implications for business.
Chair: (with opening comments), H.E. Mrs Florence Jeanblanc-Risler, French Ambassador to New Zealand
New Zealand: Hon Tim Groser, New Zealand Minister for Climate Change
Australia: Hon Greg Hunt, Australian Minister for the Environment (by pre-recorded video)
EU: Michalis Rokas, Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of the Delegation of the European Union to New Zealand
Business Implications: Likely outcomes and implications for business, Dr Adrian Macey, Senior Associate,Institute for Governance and Policy Studies, Victoria University, previous New Zealand Climate Change Ambassador & Vice Chair & Chair UNFCCC 2010-2011
Local Government leaders climate change declaration Penny Hulse, Deputy Mayor of Auckland
SESSION 3: DOMESTIC POLICY SETTINGS
A comprehensive breakdown of New Zealand’s and Australia’s current domestic policy settings and potential recalibrations in the near future.
Chair/Moderator: Nigel Brunel, Director - Financial Markets, OMF
New Zealand: The ETS now and the next 5 years, and sector specific policies and initiatives, Vicky Robertson, Secretary for the Environment and Chief Executive, Ministry for the Environment New Zealand
Australia: The Emissions Reduction Fund and Safeguard Mechanism, Ilona Millar, Special Counsel Environmental Markets, Baker & McKenzie
Panel Discussion with Speakers: The emissions market place and the price of carbon
- Philip Millichamp, National Environmental Manager, Carter Holt Harvey
- James Donovan, Co-founder, President and Chief Executive Officer, ADEC Innovations
SESSION 4: ENERGY
How to achieve the pathway to +2 degrees C – trajectories and changes for energy. What does de-carbonisation of our energy supply look like? Technology changes and economic opportunities for the sector.
Chair/Moderator: Hon David Caygill, Environment Canterbury Commissioner; Chairman of Business New Zealand Energy Council
Australia: Future pathways and prospects for Australia’s energy, Rob Kelly, Senior Analyst, ClimateWorks Australia
New Zealand: Navigating New Zealand’s energy future: scenarios to 2050, John Carnegie, Manager of Energy, Environment and Infrastructure, Business New Zealand
Panel Discussion with Speakers: Business risks and opportunities from energy transition
Industry leaders share insights on managing risks and seizing opportunities in order to profit from the transition to renewables and a low carbon economy
- Guy Waipara, GM External Relations, Meridian Energy
- Cameron Madgwick, Chief Executive Officer, Petroleum Exploration and Production Association of New Zealand (PEPANZ)
- Professor Ralph Sims, School of Engineering and Advanced Technology, International consultant climate change, Massey University
- Professor Barry Barton, University of Waikato
Wednesday 21 October 2015: Conference Day Two
SESSION 5: TRANSPORT
The role of transport in a low carbon economy. What’s emerging and what might the future hold?
Chair/Moderator: Rachel Brown, CEO Sustainable Business Network
Short vignettes and discussion:
- Designing transport infrastructure, Alison Lee, Principal, Transport Planning, GHD
- From pump to power cord – The transition to hybrid and electric vehicles, Eric Pyle, General Manager, Drive Electric
- Powering electric vehicles, Phil Gibson, General Manager Hydro & Wholesale, Mighty River Power
- Overcoming social and technical barriers to EV rollout, Dr Janet Stephenson, Director, Centre for Sustainability, University of Otago
- The role and impact of freight efficiency, Angela Johnson, Supply Chain Manager, O-I New Zealand
- The future of transport - view from the younger generation, Paul Young, Co-founder and Executive Member, Generation Zero
Questions with Speaker Panel
Keynote: Opportunities to cut New Zealand’s road transport emissions, Hon Simon Bridges, Minister of Transport, Energy and Resources
SESSION 6: ADAPTATION
What natural hazards will we face as a result of climate change? What are the planning and liability implications for local government? What tools and technologies are available to manage and respond to hazard risks?
Chair/Moderator: Roseline Klein, Sustainability Manager, Watercare Services Limited
Science: What changes are predicted to the nature, scale and frequency of natural hazards in New Zealand, Australia and the Pacific Islands as a result of global warming? Dr Andrew Tait, Director New Zealand Climate Change Centre, Principal Scientist & Climate Programme Leader Climate Vulnerability, Impacts and Adaptation
Policy Responses in New Zealand: Implications of sea level rise for New Zealand, Dr Carl Walrond, Senior Advisor, Office of the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment
Policy responses in Australia: Geoff Withycombe, Executive Officer, Sydney Coastal Councils Group
Panel Discussion with Speakers: Council and industry leaders discuss the implications for councils and business in responding to natural hazards
- Dr Viv Heslop, Senior Advisor Sustainability, Panuku Development Auckland
- Professor Bruce Glavovic, Massey University
- John Mauro, Chief Sustainability Officer, Auckland Council
SESSION 7: FINANCE AND INSURANCE
The role of financial and insurance markets in addressing climate change.
Chair/Moderator: Tim Grafton, Chief Executive, Insurance Council of NZ
Keynote: Climate change: What’s a bank got to do with it?, Anthony Healy, Chief Executive Officer, BNZ
Financial and Insurance Leaders’ Panel with Speakers:
- Martin Kreft, Regional Manager NZ, Munich Re
- Emma Herd, CEO, Investor Group on Climate Change Australia & New Zealand (IGCC)
- Justine Sefton, Senior Analyst, Responsible Investment, NZ Super Fund
- Bryce Davies, Senior Manager Government and Stakeholder Relations, IAG New Zealand Limited
SESSION 8: RURAL SECTOR
Leading industry participants discuss how their sectors are currently responding to climate change, participating in the ETS, what risks the sector faces, and innovative technologies and opportunities.
Chair/Moderator: Emma Parsons, General Manager: Group Sustainability, Fonterra
Pastoral Emissions Science Update: Research findings on agricultural emissions mitigation, Mark Aspin, Manager, Pastoral Greenhouse Gas Research Consortium
Rural Leaders’ Panel with Speakers:
- Anders Crofoot, National Vice President and Climate Change spokesperson, Federated Farmers New Zealand
- Stuart Orme, Woodnet NZ Forestry, Marginal Land and Carbon Consultancy Services
- Wayne Wescott, Chief Executive Officer, Greenfleet International
SESSION 9: THE FUTURE
What should New Zealand and Australia look like in 2040? What are the different response pathways available? What policy levers and technologies are required to trigger each pathway? How can New Zealand and Australian business lead the charge?
Chair/Moderator: Penny Nelson, Executive Director, Sustainable Business Council
Keynote: How do we get there from here: Key ingredients for an effective, efficient and just path to low emissions, Dr Suzi Kerr, Senior Fellow at Motu Economic and Public Policy Research and adjunct Professor at Victoria University of Wellington
Keynote: Yes we can – how New Zealand can commit to a more ambitious climate target and why this is good for business James Shaw, Co-Leader, Spokesperson for Climate Change and Economic Development, Green Party
Political and Business Leaders’ Panel with Speakers:
- Kim Campbell, Chief Executive, Employers and Manufacturers Association (Northern)
- Barry Coates, Sustainable Initiatives Aotearoa
- Dr Megan Woods, Spokesperson for Climate Change and the Environment, Labour Party