In the video, Professor Elizabeth Macpherson and Dr. John Reid discuss Vision Mātauranga and how they consider and apply this in their research to maximise impact.
Until now, New Zealand’s climate policy has focused on offsetting the impacts of climate change through planting trees. However, coastal and wetland ecosystems, of which Aotearoa New Zealand abounds, are increasingly understood to provide stable, effective, durable and profitable carbon sinks, offering a ‘nature-based solution’ to climate change. Despite being surrounded by sea territory 15 times greater than our landmass, Blue Carbon is not currently included in New Zealand’s Emissions Trading Scheme and there are unresolved legal questions about how coastal planning and Māori land tenure aligns with climate action. Elizabeth’s research foregrounds Tiriti partnerships, Māori protected rights, relationships and rangatiratanga across marine and coastal areas. She advocates for environmentally and socially transformative research during these disruptive times.
