Climate change is a critical issue. Many impacts are already inevitable and we have a short window of time to massively reduce greenhouse gas emissions to avoid even more serious outcomes.
At the Centre for Sustainability we work with whanau, hapū, iwi, communities, councils, businesses and others in responding to these challenges.
Our research includes community resilience and adaptation to sea level rise and extreme weather events, as well as innovative solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the energy, transport and agriculture sectors.
Lead researchers' interests and projects
Research Professor Janet Stephenson
Director, Centre for Sustainability (on study leave returning January 2022)
Research Professor Janet Stephenson is passionate about collaborative, interdisciplinary research. Her research interests include indigenous resource management; the interconnections between people and their local environments; and the role of individuals and organisations in the transition to a sustainable future.
Projects
Dr Jen Purdie
Senior Research Fellow, Centre for Sustainability
Dr Jen Purdie works at the nexus of climate and energy. Her research interests include climate change impacts on the energy system, and climate forecasting on a range of timescales.
Email jen.purdie@otago.ac.nz
Project
Professor Merata Kawharu
Research Professor, Centre for Sustainability
Professor Merata Kawharu (Ngāti Whatua, Ngāpuhi), has research interests that have over-arching themes of supporting Māori leadership, community and education. She has focused in areas such as land and water, capability building, climate change resilience, and connections to ancestral marae by young Māori.
Email merata.kawharu@otago.ac.nz
Project
Current postgraduate climate change research projects
Postgraduate students research projects contribute hugely to the advancement of sustainability research. Read more about their work:
- A New Direction: Opportunities for National Guidance on Natural Hazard Management During RMA Reform (Church)
- Climate-induced migration and Sustainability: A Spatial Analysis of Urban New Zealand (Ghosh)
- Māori community leadership and community engagement in response to climate change. (Mackintosh)