Our mission
Unlock 100 million tonnes of emissions reductions by 2035.
The climate challenge has changed.
The problem is not a lack of solutions, it's a lack of progress.
The technologies and expertise needed to reduce emissions already exist, but solutions do not implement themselves.
This is the challenge the New Zealand Climate Foundation exists to address.Â
Rapid emissions reductions are feasible, affordable, and in New Zealand’s best interests.
Our approach.
Our role is to identify the opportunities with the greatest emissions-reduction potential, understand precisely what is preventing them from progressing, determine what intervention is needed to activate them and support their complete implementation.
01
Identify
Where can New Zealand materially reduce, avoid or remove emissions?
Find the emission opportunities where faster progress can materially change the outcome.
Understand what stands in the way of progress, determine what success would look like, and establish a credible pathway.
Funding an existing organisation. Commissioning evidence. Supporting policy or advocacy. Building delivery capability. Incubating something new. We are agile in our thinking and in our solutions.Â
Once the system is carrying the work effectively without us, we will step back, providing support and connection only when needed.
02
Diagnose
What is preventing that outcome from happening?
03
Activate
What is the optimum delivery mechanism to overcome these barriers?
04
Support
What support, if any, is needed on-going?
Where we are focused.
Three portfolios, set by New Zealand’s emissions profile.
Energy transition
Renewable and affordable energy and transport systems
We need energy and transport systems that are low emissions and affordable. New Zealand needs abundant renewable electricity, electrification and better system design to benefit current and future New Zealanders.
Nature + land use
Thriving rural communities and nature
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New Zealand farmers need to be empowered to lead their transition to a low emissions, resilient future. Native reforestation and sustainable forestry can unlock economic opportunities.
Systems change
Fix the settings that define the system
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Strengthen the rules, markets, institutions and public mandate that let progress endure. Underpinned to a commitment to align with Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
Modest interventions. Outsized influence.Â
A small foundation, designed for massive leverage.
Across our portfolios, we are initially prioritising five interconnected big beats.
Transport electrification
We are backing Rewiring Aotearoa to accelerate the uptake of electric vehicles.
Clean electricity
We are incubating a unit to focus on accelerating abundant, affordable clean electricity.
Native afforestation at scale
Permanent native reforestation to unlock high-integrity carbon removal.
Emissions trading scheme
The ETS is not fit for purpose. We are supporting Motu Economics and Public Policy Research to identify the solutions.
Farmers leading the transition
We back future farming leaders to design their own transition to a thriving, low emissions, resilient future.
