Climate change is one of the most significant challenges facing Aotearoa today. Across the country young people have demonstrated how important this issue is to them. With our towns, cities and communities at the forefront of taking climate action, how can we ensure that intergenerational equity is foundational to achieving this?
Isobel Bruun-Kiaer and Freya Schaumkel from the Chief Sustainability Office, Auckland Council will discuss approaches being used within local government which aim to ensure that intergenerational equity becomes central to making decisions on climate change. In particular:
- How can we better understand the pressing climate issues facing rangatahi Māori and other young people today?
- How can we use indigenous knowledge to shape the responses to climate challenges for Aotearoa?
- How can we ensure that our young people are given strong platforms to share their whakaaro and to inform regional climate action planning?
Are there lessons that we can draw from Auckland Council’s experience to ensure that intergenerational equity is factored into other policy outcomes?
About the speakers
Isobel Bruun-Kiaer
Isobel is a Senior Sustainability and Resilience Specialist in the Chief Sustainability Office at Auckland Council. She gained her Masters in Spatial Planning at the Barlett School of Planning, University College London, and has spent several years working in climate change in the UK. Across her various roles, Isobel has been involved in policy, climate resilience, mitigation action, planning and sustainable development.
Isobel moved to New Zealand in 2017 and in her current position focuses on understanding and communicating indigenous perspectives on climate change. Outside of work, she is also passionate about spending time outdoors and is a keen surfer.
Freya Schaumkel
Freya is part of Auckland Council’s Graduate Programme, a two-year accelerated learning and development programme. Her background is in Human Geography within the School of Environment at the University of Auckland and she has a particular interest in sustainability, indigenous knowledge and youth development.
Currently, Freya is working with Auckland Council’s Chief Sustainability Office, focusing on rangatahi (youth) and their inclusion in climate change decision-making. In her spare time, Freya is involved in UN Youth New Zealand and her local youth group.