The New Zealand Tech Alliance is a group of independent technology associations from across New Zealand that work together to ensure a strong voice for technology.
Visit Tech Alliance
NZTech Inform – climate tech for the world
While the pandemic is currently dominating much of our time, we can’t lose sight of other important issues. Today, NZTech is briefing Minister Shaw (Climate Change and Environment) about the potential for technology to underpin the Emissions Reduction Plan. The Climate Change Commission’s advice released earlier this year, included very little about technology. They stated that ‘the technology and tools the country needs exist today and we do not need to rely on future technologies’.
Theoretically, while climate change technology is available around the world, there are currently few New Zealand companies developing the tech locally for what will be a massive global market. A Callaghan Innovation report recently identified some great opportunities for home grown climate tech. We would like to see a technology roadmap included as part of the Emissions Reduction Plan, similar to Australia. They have produced a Technology Investment Roadmap as a strategy to accelerate development and commercialisation of low emissions technologies.
The Government’s draft Emissions Reduction Plan will be available for public consultation this month.
Later this week, I am catching up with the CEO for the newly formed Tech Council of Australia, a similar entity to NZTech. The Tech Council will provide a collective voice for the Australian technology industry and we will be looking for opportunities to collaborate.
Other interesting activities this week include a session on New Zealand-USA digital trade barriers, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) business leadership group meeting, plus executive council meetings for AgriTechNZ and LocationTechNZ. In other news, congrats to our member Conical for becoming the first video game company to raise crowdfunded equity investment in New Zealand. The AR/VR studio is also a Epic MegaGrant recipient, from the creators of Fortnite.
Have a great week.
Ngā mihi,
Graeme Muller
CEO
NZTech
Would you like to stay updated and receive the weekly NZTech Inform? Please subscribe now.
