“This growth in resources reflects Council’s commitment to acting on our climate change emergency declaration. We’re focused solely on Wellington’s future – what does a joyful, abundant, low-carbon 2030 look like, and how can the Council help bring that Wellington into being?
"It’s definitely going to take leadership but even more importantly partnership – with Māori, business, central government and Wellingtonians going about their lives in new and more satisfying ways.”
Alison says our shared change journey involves everyone at Council, as well as the community.
“Every day we get to make decisions that can impact positively on our city’s future, like choosing to walk, bike or use public transport to get to and from work, or making choices about the suppliers we use, or how we help our community embrace climate action.”
Prior to joining Wellington City Council, Alison was Head of Sustainability at Meridian Energy. She’s also worked as sustainability strategy consultant for Deloitte and a wind farm engineer.
Alison first got interested in how sustainability and the environment intersect when she worked for a prawn wholesaler in accounts payable.
“Once I got used to counting $100,000 in cash at a time, all covered in fish scales, I realised how dependent our business was on well-managed fisheries with quotas, limited licences and fewer boats. It was a real lightbulb moment for me that business is more successful when it’s sustainable.”
Building strong relationships is also really important to Alison.
“Climate action, like all good things we want to happen, is not a solo effort. It requires partnerships, relationships, teams, collaboration, and listening to others with deep empathy and compassion.”
While the work of the Climate Change Commission will shape the way climate action will unfold in the coming decades, Alison encourages everyone to act and advocate for change immediately.
“There are things you can do today that will impact positively on climate change. Move around without fossil fuels, eat far less meat and dairy, buy things to last and be passed on to your children. Protest, submit, vote - we only have eight years left to halve our carbon. It’s an emergency, so we all need to do everything we can!”