We were thrilled to meet the Next Generation Scholarship 2024 recipients sponsored by thinkstep-anz, an inspiring group of individuals who are making strides in their respective fields. After attending the Climate Change and Business Conference in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland they brought back valuable insights.
Here are their reflections on the experience:
Jaquān Nin from Wellington works for Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira
as a resource management advisor in the environment team.
The conference emphasised the urgency of the current global climate crisis. The once abundant natural world is diminishing, and the degradation of Papatūānuku is accelerating. The ongoing decline of our planetary life support systems is adversely affecting both livelihoods and lives. It is imperative that we do not transfer the consequences of our decisions to future generations. As (Climate Change Commission Chair Rodd Carr pointed out, the wealthy cannot secure a prosperous future on a deteriorating planet. Our challenge lies in creating an economy that not only restores nature but also operates within the true limits of our planet.
Allie Morris from Westport works as the
Environmental Planning Lead at Westland Mineral Sands.
The conference emphasised the vital intersection of nature and climate, positioning New Zealand, and especially the West Coast, as leaders in integrating and demonstrating meaningful impact in these areas. Embedding sustainability into our core strategy and fostering community partnerships emerged as essential. Shifting social norms requires engagement from just 20% of the population, and future-focused decision-making is crucial. As an aspiring leader, I am dedicated to applying these lessons to enhance our ESG strategies and drive meaningful, sustainable change.
Elliot Blyth from Dunedin works as researcher,
designer and coordinator at Nature Positive.
I appreciated seeing the full spectrum of corporate climate action that CCBC had to offer, including the urgency of the crisis, how the Government is responding, and what business leaders are doing. There are some encouraging signs of progress – especially the fact that almost all business sectors have some climate focus– but the challenge remains immense.
Macey Caughley from Wellington is pursuing a Master’s degree
in Climate Change Science and Policy at
Te Herenga Waka- Victoria University of Wellington
Numbers, targets, and data are important, but we must look beyond them to grasp the tangible impact of our decisions on the natural environment, people, and future generations. Every choice made by business leaders, political leaders, and households should be viewed through a climate lens.
Madeline Parker from Auckland, has just finished her
undergraduate degree at the University of Auckland,
a BA specialising in Geography, Politics and Sustainability.
There was no shortage of thought-provoking panellists and speakers. However, the workshop on resilience stood out for offering a unique value. In a room full of sustainability professionals, the conversation centred around the mental challenges of navigating a constantly evolving field that demands expertise across multiple areas, continuous upskilling, and adaptability. There was an overwhelming spirit of solidarity as participants openly shared their hardships and personal experiences, which was an inspiring moment to be a part of. This echoed one of the conference's overall themes, the need for collaboration to create meaningful change.
Morgan Harris from Hamilton is pursuing a Bachelor
of Climate Change with a major in Environmental Science.
We need to continuously ask ourselves: are we being good ancestors? The transition ahead won’t be easy, but we can’t afford to stick to the same old ways. When future generations look back, we need to have done our part and be able to say we gave it everything we had.
Tristana Leist from Wellington works in carbon accounting
for a small government subsidiary.
thinkstep-anz is aptly named, as with this Next Gen scholarship, they are thinking well beyond their first steps and towards future generations. What a pleasure to learn, challenge, and delight in climate solutions throughout the conference, amongst their staff and the Next Gen cohort.
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The insights shared by these students and young professions serve as a reminder of the collective responsibility we all share. Their experiences at the Climate Change and Business Conference underscore the need for collaboration, resilience, and forward-thinking leadership. We are excited to see the impact they will make in the years to come.