During the month, Aucklanders will have access to a range of accessible events (many also free and family-friendly), around the city. In this year’s programe you’ll find a range of climate-themed activities including film screenings, biking events, clean-ups, ethical fashion and economy workshops, and much more. The festival encompasses 150 events, with tens of thousands of participants expected to join together to accelerate climate action; from individuals making more conscious consumer decisions to major entities influencing Government policy.

Michelle Kennedy, founder of Auckland Climate Festival, says: “Coming together for a concentrated period each year provides us an anchor point, where we can align on where we are at now, and decide ‘where we want to be heading together. It means that we can drive deep change, where the collective impact we generate is greater than the sum of its parts.”

See the full programme of events here.

Events that may be of interest to architects, urban planners and designers:

Sept 6: How urban forests can help

Auckland’s urban trees are under threat at a time when they are more needed than ever. So how can we balance the need for more urban trees and the benefits they provide in liveability and carbon sequestration with our need to provide more housing and make the city more equitable? 

Associate Professor Justin Morgenroth is a leader of the New Zealand Urban Forest Initiative and has been studying urban trees and the critical roles they play in cities around the world. He’ll be speaking to Britomart’s Jeremy Hansen about the best way to make Auckland and other cities greener.

Sept 8: Designing for the Human Life Cycle in a Time of Climate Uncertainty

As extreme weather events become more frequent, we as built environment professionals increasingly need to consider the impacts of the built form on all stages of the human life cycle and build resilience into our urban areas.

Join organisers UDINZ and Urban Design Forum for a two-hour breakfast with a lineup of five speakers including Tom Irvine (CEO of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Whai Māia), Alexandra Bonham (Waitemata Local Board member and PhD candidate), Andrew Mein (Auckland Transport), and Emma Todd (Boffa Miskell), covering topics including:

• Climate mitigation and adaptation
• Building compact urban form
• Improving access to more sustainable forms of transport
• Enhancing the quality and usability of our public realm
• Building resilience into urban areas

Sept 21: Nature-based solutions for Aotearoa

See a presentation on the significance of nature-based solutions for Tāmaki Makaurau. As the host city for the World Green Infrastructure Congress in August 2024, Auckland will proudly showcase its commitment to a greener, more resilient future. (More info on this at the event).

In this session, speakers will explore the vital role of green infrastructure in mitigating the impacts of climate change and fostering ecological balance. Discover how integrating natural elements such as urban forests, green roofs, living walls, and sustainable drainage systems can help our cities, not only in terms of aesthetics but also in promoting biodiversity, reducing pollution, urban heat island effect and flooding, while enhancing community wellbeing.

Sept 26: Toitū Te Whenua: A Documentary Night

Join the AUT Sustainability Collab and AUT Sustainability Team to watch this highly acclaimed documentary exploring the Bay of Plenty and Lakes District; the abundance, natural character and challenges our environment and people are faced with.

The film will be followed by refreshments and a chance to meet the director, Geoff Reid.

Watch the trailer here:

The Auckland Climate Festival is supported by a range of partners including The Tindall Foundation, Foundation North, ākina, Britomart and Whakatupu Aotearoa Foundation.