We believe we have a role to play in mitigating the most severe impacts of climate change, and that we need to work together to develop a resilient community response in order to ensure effective kaitiakitanga of our resources for current and future generations. The effects of climate change will not be felt equally amongst our community and we need to mitigate the inequality of these impacts.
As a philanthropic Trust, we can support communities across our rohe to understand and mitigate climate impacts. We can also review how we invest the Trust's funds, and make changes to our internal operations.
Our Journey
OCT signed up to the Funders Commitment to Climate Action in 2022, and in August 2024 adopted a Climate Change Action Plan. This Action Plan is a living document. It will be reviewed and updated each year, as we make progress on our journey and as new science, guidance and technology become available.
OCT will be guided by Te Tiriti o Waitangi on this journey. We are committed to supporting a tika (just) and equitable transition in our region.
Otago Community Trust Climate Action Plan & Report 2025 - 2027 - Coming Soon.
We have now completed the Climate Action Plan 2024-2025, the report on this available at the link below.
Climate Action Aotearoa: The Funders Commitment on Climate Action
Otago Community Trust, along with other Community Trusts of Aotearoa New Zealand and other funders, recognise that the growing climate emergency is a grave risk to our communities and planet. The scale of the climate threat and solutions needed reflect this critical issue facing every community.
Climate Action Aotearoa: The Funders Commitment on Climate Action was launched by Community Trusts in 2021. It signals our collective willing to act on climate change. The aim is for all funders in Aotearoa to join and for philanthropy to enable the big shifts we all need to make.
Community funders, whose assets are held for the public good, play an important role. The way we invest and partner with communities to support a just transition to a low carbon society, with increased equity, climate resilient communities and better outcomes for our environment is a critical responsibility.
We aim to accelerate effective responses to climate change to ensure that everyone has access to opportunities arising from the transition to a low carbon economy. We recognise the costs and impacts of the shift to a low carbon society may be unfairly borne by already vulnerable communities.
Guided by Te Tiriti o Waitangi, including values of kaitiakitanga and kotahitanga, we will apply an inter-generational mindset to how we commit our resources. We will identify and prioritise opportunities for collective action on climate change so that we can contribute to greater equity, and community and environmental resilience, health and wellbeing.
For Otago Community Trust we are at the start of our Climate Action journey, we are currently developing our Climate change action plan and will continue to update our progress as we move along this path.
For more information on the Funders Commitment to Climate Action please visit https://www.climateactionaotearoa.co.nz/
Shared Resources:
After launching the Funders Commitment, the first action of Climate Action Aotearoa was to create a shared online resource for funders. The resource provides guidance towards a just, equitable and tika transition that reflects our unique Aotearoa context.
The web-based Shared Resource aims to provide relevant Climate Action intelligence, policy, and implementation guidance to the philanthropy sector as well as helpful information for the community sector,” says Linn Araboglos, Chief Executive of Wellington Community Fund, who chairs the working group. “We believe it will help to inspire co-ordinated and impactful climate action within our regions across Aotearoa.”
We invite you to start your own Tika Transition journey by exploring our shared resource here:
Resources for measuring your Carbon Footprint:
New Zealand Government - Climate Action Toolbox
The Climate Action Toolbox makes it easy to measure your carbon footprint and identify the most relevant action to help your business cut emissions.
The Climate Action Toolbox is designed by the Government with Kiwi small businesses in mind, to make it as easy as possible to take climate action.
The new and improved toolbox, is now easier for any organisation / business to take the first step and take climate action.
The toolbox helps you:
- measure your carbon footprint
- identify the most relevant actions to help your business cut emissions
- set a reduction target
- track your progress
- view next steps at a glance.
Start today with the two-minute assessment.
Ministry for the Environment
If you would like a calculator that includes more complex measurements then head over to the Ministry of the Environment. Here is a link to their guide for measuring emissions.
Sustainability Resources:
- The Sustainable Business Council provides some practical guides explaining important sustainability. Click here.
- If you want to make your organisation more sustainable business.govt.nz have some ideas, click here.
- Here is a resource specifically aimed at the Not-For-Profit sector.
- For organisations that own their own buildings or properties, an energy audit may be of interest. Click here.
- ECCA also have different funding and grants available here.
If you would like to talk with a person, here are some local organisations who could be of help:
- For sustainability related questions, contact The Zero Carbon team at the Dunedin City Council - Zero.Carbon@dcc.govt.nz
- For ideas how to make homes or offices warmer in winter, contact Lisa Burrough the DCC Eco Design & Healthy Home Adviser - lisa.burrough@dcc.govt.nz
OCT Support
If your organisation would like to increase your capability around reducing your emissions and carbon footprinting then come and chat to one of our Grants Managers to ask about our capability grants.
Your organisation could look at working with a company that can help you build this capability. Capability grants require 20% contributions from the applicant organisation, but this can be made up from in-kind contributions.
