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EDS 2024 conference communique

20 June 2024

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Government policies failing our environment

The Environmental Defence Society’s annual conference The Future is Now: Biodiversity, Climate and Us was held in Ōtautahi Christchurch last week. With nearly 500 people in-person and online, it was the biggest yet, reflecting serious and widespread interest in the Government’s evolving environmental policies.

“Our presenters came from many sectors and perspectives and engaged in often frank and sometimes challenging dialogue,” said EDS CEO Gary Taylor.

“It’s clear that the pace and scale of unwinding of environmental and climate policies is causing frustration, anger and anxiety across the country, especially amongst young New Zealanders.

“A key theme that emerged from the discourse was that we shouldn’t silo our climate and biodiversity responses: we need to address them together and transition our energy systems without causing environmental harm. To smooth that pathway there is an increasing need for everyone on all sides of the debate to engage more deeply, to foster durable solutions.

Read the full conference communique here.