Environmental diplomacy

On 12 March 2025, the NZIIA’s Wellington branch held an Environmental Diplomacy Symposium at the iconic Zealandia ecosanctuary. This landmark event, in development over eighteen months, brought together seventeen speakers, including seven ambassadors to New Zealand, covering perspectives on conservation, sustainability and the circular economy, climate finance and climate change with a keynote from the Australian high commissioner, HE Harinder Sidhu, in her last public speech in New Zealand.

The symposium covered perspectives from New Zealand, Philippines, Costa Rica, Switzerland, Te ao Māori, Australia, Finland, United Kingdom, France, the Netherlands and the Pacific. The Pāteke room at the Zealandia Visitor Centre in Karori hosted 160 attendees, comprising university students and high school leaders from around Wellington as well as members of the NZIIA, academic, business and diplomatic communities.

This symposium report summarises some of the key themes and messages that were articulated by speakers and all the panels. The text of the Australian high commissioner’s keynote address can be found elsewhere in this issue. The NZIIA YouTube channel has video recordings from the symposium.

The deputy mayor of Wellington, Laurie Foon, started proceedings by extending a warm welcome to all attendees, emphasising the significance of dialogue on issues of conservation, sustainability and climate change in the context of Wellington’s unique environmental landscape. Foon highlighted Wellington’s strong commitment to becoming a sustainable city, including government initiatives to protect biodiversity, promote ecological stewardship and enhance community engagement in environmental issues. The city, she noted, views itself as a leader in sustainability efforts within New Zealand and globally.

Foon’s speech included examples of innovative projects within Wellington aimed at enhancing biodiversity and sustainability. Specific initiatives, such as urban greening projects and community-led conservation efforts, were highlighted as models for other cities around the world. She urged the global community to work together to address climate change and biodiversity loss. She concluded her speech with a call for ongoing co-operation between nations and local governments, emphasising that collective action is crucial for ensuring a sustainable future.

First panel

Dr Danielle Shanahan, the chief executive officer of Zealandia and adjunct professor of conservation at Te Herenga Waka–Victoria University of Wellington, moderated the first panel of the symposium. In welcoming attendees to Zealandia, she highlighted how the eco-sanctuary is a global success story of how ambition, innovation and some brave decision-making can help reverse the loss of nature. Simply, if we make space for nature, it can thrive. Shanahan warned that globally more than a million species face extinction in coming decades, a massive problem that needs simple, deep local solutions to overcome, combined with international co-operation.

The Philippines ambassador, HE Kira Christianne Azucena, emphasised that environmental conservation is integral to national policy and embedded in the Philippines constitution and that on-going efforts include a biodiversity strategy and action plan focused on community engagement and eco-tourism. The ambassador discussed how biodiversity challenges transcend borders, noting that Philippines decided early on that international and multilateral co-operation is vital if it is to achieve its conservation goals. National policies in Philippines on biodiversity and conservation are aligned with international conventions, including the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, the Paris Agreement and the UN High Seas Treaty. Azucena stressed the importance of strengthening co-operation between regional platforms, such as the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity, which is hosted in Manila, and the Pacific Islands Forum to enhance cross-border conservation efforts on wildlife trade and fulfil the Manila Declaration on sustainable development and migratory species.

Costa Rica’s ambassador, HE Carolina Molina Barrantes (online from Canberra), highlighted her country’s global leadership in biodiversity conservation, noting that the country is home to nearly 6 per cent of the world’s biodiversity. She outlined successful policies like the Payment for Environmental Services programme, which incentivises landowners to maintain forest cover. Costa Rica has established ambitious targets for marine protection and a robust legal framework that supports restoration and conservation plans. In December 2023, the country introduced new legislation that takes marine protection from 3 per cent to 30 per cent of marine territory; its protected marine territory is, as a result, now ten times its land territory. Costa Rica will share these success stories as co-organiser with France of the upcoming UN Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in Nice, France in June 2025, focusing on accelerating action to conserve and sustainably use the ocean.

Miriana Stephens (Ngāti Rārua, Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti Ranginui) from Te Taumata started with a beautiful waiata. The waiata (Māori song) relevant to the symposium theme describes the germination of seeds and the support that those seeds need from our earth and from our sky to ensure that they have an enduring and lasting life. Stephens discussed key Māori principles and practices — kaitiakitanga (guardianship and conservation), rahui (temporary bans on fishing or gathering in areas where species are under threat) and the importance of mana whenua (iwi individuals or groups who act as kaitiaki/caretakers) — that are pivotal to environmental management. Kaitiakitanga provides a holistic, relationship-based approach that centres on responsibility, balance and longterm sustainability. Stephens proclaimed the importance of indigenous models and practices forming part of local, national and international conversations in conservation. The value of incorporating indigenous knowledge in conservation strategy was also highlighted as fundamental in the world-leading Costa Rican and Philippines approaches.

In concluding, Shanahan summarised the importance of solutions addressing the conservation and biodiversity crisis coming from the grassroots level. While progress may sometimes seem slow, she observed, we must remember that collective action between countries and communities is necessary to tackle these global challenges effectively.

Climate finance

The climate finance session brought together Swiss Ambassador HE Viktor Vavricka and moderator Dr Olayinka Moses from the Wellington School of Business and Government to discuss the critical role of climate finance in addressing global climate challenges. In providing a Swiss perspective, Vavricka observed that Switzerland plays an active role in global climate protection through international development policy. It aims to strengthen the country’s role as a competitive and innovative hub for sustainable finance. In pointing to Switzerland’s commitment to providing financial support for climate action, the ambassador cited a substantial annual contribution to climate finance under the Paris Agreement, amounting to around US$900 million to $1.3 billion.

Vavricka discussed the need for innovative financing solutions to address climate change effectively. This includes green bonds, climate adaptation funds and public-private partnerships that stimulate investment in sustainable practices. Both speakers stressed the importance of international co-operation in climate finance. The session underscored the fact that no single country can combat climate change alone; collective action and partnership among nations, institutions and the private sector are necessary to mobilise the required funding. Switzerland has an agreement with Vanuatu from 2013 under Article 6.2 of the Paris Agreement and has been facilitating their green transition through Swiss solar power solutions.

According to Vavricka, the Swiss political system is bottomup. A government made up of seven ministers in coalition is slow but very stable, meaning that commitments are followed through. The session concluded with a call to ensure that climate finance reaches local communities effectively. Engaging with grassroots organisations and local stakeholders can enhance the impact of climate initiatives and make certain that funding aligns with the needs of vulnerable populations.

Sustainability panel

The second panel was moderated by Mike Burrell, chief executive of the Sustainable Business Council of New Zealand and a former New Zealand high commissioner to South Africa. It focused on the roles of countries in advancing sustainable practices and circular economy initiatives.

French Ambassador HE Laurence Beau emphasised

France’s commitment to sustainability through various initiatives, such as the ‘France Nation, Green Nation’ roadmap, which encompasses 50 ambitious goals in sustainability and the National 3-R Strategy ‘Reduction, Reuse, Recycling’. She discussed concrete actions taken in energy efficiency, sustainable tourism and the protection of biodiversity, all aligned with achieving France’s longterm sustainability goals. The upcoming UN 2025 Ocean Conference in Nice was again raised as a key event globally this year, with New Zealand and Pacific Islands states as important participation partners. Beau alluded to France’s role on the eighteen-partner panel for sustainable ocean economy, also known as the ‘Give it a hundred percent’ initiative.

Finnish Ambassador HE Arto Haapea (joining online from Canberra) pointed out that while Finland (and Europe) are preoccupied with European security and Russia’s brutal war in Ukraine, they are at the same time focused on tackling another huge security challenge, namely the environment. He emphasised key successes with Finland’s Circular Economy Roadmap, launched in 2016; the first in the world, this initiative highlights policies that incentivise businesses and local governments to adopt circular practice. Haapea noted the World Circular Economy Forum launched in Helsinki in 2017. Finland, he stressed, is always happy to discuss hosting in other countries; so why not New Zealand one day? Finland’s approach includes educational programmes that embed principles of circularity at all levels of society, fostering an environment where sustainable practices are the norm.

British Deputy High Commissioner John Pearson, who sees himself as an environmental diplomat, highlighted the United Kingdom’s integration of climate considerations into its sustainability initiatives. Pearson discussed how the United Kingdom has generally had a bipartisan political consensus around climate change and the environment; Margaret Thatcher, he noted, was one of the first world leaders to talk about climate change. He maintained that you cannot do everything in the world on your own to address environmental challenges.

Working with partners was essential. As an example, he referred to the British embassy’s close co-operation with New Zealand in linking up with British expertise in an effort to develop offshore wind generation off the North Island.

The session concluded with a call to action for countries, businesses and individuals alike to embrace circular economy principles, innovate and engage in meaningful partnerships in pursuit of sustainability goals. The panellists, noting the large number of youthful members of the audience, reminded them that they represent two-thirds of the world’s population, that there would not be an environmental movement today without the passion and activism of those under 35 and that their actions resonate more than they may realise.

Final panel

The final panel, on Climate Change, was sponsored by the Netherlands. Its moderator, Compass Climate chief executive Dr Christina Hood, a climate change and energy policy expert in Wellington, began by recalling the privilege it had been to be in the room in Paris when the gavel dropped on the Paris Agreement. The stakes of climate change are now so high, she warned, that we simply cannot sit back and do nothing about it.

Dutch Ambassador HE Ard van der Vorst began his remarks by discussing the significant climate challenges facing the Netherlands as a low-lying country with 30 per cent of its land below sea level. Like Pacific Islands countries, it cannot do nothing or it will drown and lose territory. Accordingly, his country is always looking for solutions — on a global, national, regional and local level. The ambassador reminded the audience that the Netherland’s kingdom includes the Caribbean countries of Aruba, Curaçao and Saint Martin, which face the same challenges as Pacific Islands countries; most of the kingdom’s embassies, including in New Zealand and the Pacific, have young people working on climate collaboration and knowledge-sharing, particularly around modern water management strategies.

Dr Iati Iati, a Pacific security fellow in the Centre for Strategic Studies, discussed the intensifying security issues arising from threats of climate change in the Pacific region. This evolving situation is reflected in the Boe Declaration and the Qatar Declaration, he explained, with climate change described as the number one existential threat. Furthermore, it is pivotal to understand the resiliency of Pacific peoples, he pointed out, in creating smart and effective climate policies for the Pacific. Modern technology and climate adaption approaches need to be considered alongside traditional knowledge. Empowerment of Pacific peoples is crucial.

Major challenge

Harinder Sidhu joined the panel after her keynote address and discussed how historically the major challenge in Australia has been political consensus on climate action. The recent reality is there has been sustained action in Australia and that economic factors are driving much of the change. Sidhu noted that it is now more sensible economically to pursue a clean energy path than rely on traditional energy sources. She lauded Australia’s huge drive to expand solar power generation on home and business rooftops in the last couple decades. Australia’s approach with the Pacific involves not just providing financial support, Sidhu emphasised; it included fostering genuine partnerships in which Pacific nations lead the conversation on their climate needs and amplifying Pacific voices to ensure that their perspectives are included in international negotiations.

The discussion ended on a hopeful note, highlighting the importance of integrity, commitment and innovative co-operation as cornerstones for achieving global climate goals. In expressing optimism regarding the engagement of youth and local communities in climate action, the panellists suggested that generational changes and grassroots movements will play a crucial role in shaping the future of climate policy.

The Climate Change Symposium emphasised a number of key measures and themes, including: the importance of reinforcing international collaboration frameworks, such as the Paris Agreement; the need for bilateral and multilateral agreements incorporating sustainability and climate change measures like the New Zealand–European Union free trade agreement; incorporation of indigenous knowledge and practices into environmental diplomacy; the need for innovative climate finance mechanisms to mobilise resources; the vital role of youth engagement and advocacy; the need for cross-sector collaboration; the need for capacity-building and technical support in developing nations; the need to address global inequities, and the need for extra focus on crisis response mechanisms, particularly in the context of the Pacific Islands.

Closing remarks

In his closing remarks, NZIIA Patron Sir Anand Satyanand recommended the book Not the End of the World by Hannah Ritchie, which presents a hopeful perspective on environmental challenges in emphasising that solutions and progress are achievable. He noted that the book challenges the notion of impending doom regarding environmental issues, instead presenting a narrative of potential and resilience.

The symposium underscored the need for robust measures that are adaptive, inclusive and collaborative to effectively tackle climate change and biodiversity loss and continually to improve sustainability and circular economy measures. Through shared commitments, innovative approaches and a focus on community engagement, Satyanand stated that there is hope for meaningful progress in environmental diplomacy. Expressing optimism for future generations, he concluded by encouraging young people to engage actively in environmental issues with their passion for sustainability and the environment and their ability to hold leaders accountable.

The NZIIA Wellington branch thanks all the organising volunteers, speakers and attendees for joining together for this landmark event. We thank our amazing sponsors, namely the Australian High Commission (Gold Sponsor), the Embassy of Switzerland (Silver Sponsor) and the Kingdom of the Netherlands (Silver Sponsor) and our host Zealandia.

Angus Middleton is chair of the NZIIA’s Wellington branch.