We had a successful sustainability themed evening session in Auckland on 12 August 2021, with two guest speakers – Auckland Transport’s Chief Engineer Murry Burt, and Kāinga Ora’s Sustainability Director Alec Tang. It was generously hosted by Pattle Delamore Partners (pdp) at their Newmarket offices.
The evening session kick started with a Mihi Whakatau by Troy Brockbank, Pou Ārahi Māori, pdp. The two thought leaders were engaging and gave their views for their large infrastructure organisations on meeting the challenge to be zero carbon in Auckland. In keeping with empowering our youth and bringing on the next generation into the industry, Young IPWEAN Jason Roberts (Fletcher Building) introduced our guest speakers. There were enthusiastic discussions during the networking afterwards.
The evening was also an opportunity for IPWEA NZ’s new Membership Engagement Manager, Emily Liddell, to outline her new role as this was her first branch meeting. She is looking to be more proactive with the members and in the regions as well as advocating meaningful conversations with public works engineers on sustainability.
Key takeaways from the session were:
- Murray Burt – Net zero 2050, zero carbon zero road deaths:
- The impact of COVID proved behaviour change (not infrastructure) is the single most effective way to solve Auckland’s transport congestion challenges, reduce carbon emissions and reduce road deaths
- The need to reduce carbon emissions from private and commercial vehicles (the most significant generator)
- Lead by example – Auckland Transport’s executive team walk the talk by using public transport and cycle to work and moving to single car families
- Alec Tang – Leading the Way for Tāmaki Makaurau -Cities are evolving:
- We need to think about opportunities across a range of scales
- All sectors must decarbonise
- Initiatives include 6 Homestar built rating and Climate Related Financial Disclosures.
