MEDIA RELEASE, 3 May 2020

Leading NZ health professional organisations have written to the Government asking them to prioritise Budget 2020 funding for a just transition to a climate-resilient, sustainable and low-emissions economy.

The letter, led by OraTaiao: NZ Climate & Health Council, was sent to the Minister and Associate Ministers of Finance on Sunday 3 May, and urges the Government to heed health advice that has for many years been warning of the serious health threat posed by the climate crisis.

Fifteen health professional organisations wrote to Hon Grant Robertson (Minister of Finance), Hon James Shaw (Associate Minister of Finance), and Hon Shane Jones (Associate Minister of Finance) urging prioritisation of funding for a just transition to a climate-resilient, sustainable and low-emissions economy in the 2020 Budget.

• Letter to finance ministers

MEDIA STATEMENT, 15 April 2020

Health professionals are calling for the government’s economic stimulus to do triple duty for people, planet and prosperity.

“We can’t return to business as usual. We need a new framework to guide public investment. As the Government invests to get the economy going after lockdown we must ensure this public money is well spent and has a long term benefit for people, planet and prosperity,” said Dr. Alex Macmillan, Co-convenor, OraTaiao: NZ Climate & Health Council.

Those of us at OraTaiao would like to express our solidarity with you all at this uncertain and challenging time, and we’d like to acknowledge our members working with patients and on the COVID-19 response. Thank you for everything you are doing!

In the meantime, at OraTaiao we will be continuing essential climate change work, and we are calling for pandemic responses that reduce inequities and centre te Tiriti, because pandemic justice is crucial to climate justice. Please take care of yourselves and others and we’ll keep you posted with updates.

Article on the merits of a plant-based diet, and changing consumer behaviour, with comments from OraTaiao Co-convenor Dr Alexandra Macmillan. Read here.

COVID-19: The Sustainable Healthcare and Climate Health Conference Aotearoa 2020 has been postponed and will now be held in mid-June 2021. There may be a series of webinars run later in 2020. For further information sign up to the mailing list at [email protected] with your contact details and SHCH in the subject line.

MEDIA STATEMENT, 30 January 2020

The Government’s announcement that it is committed to prioritising ending coal-burning for schools and hospitals is welcomed by health workers who have long been calling for such a move.

Article on research showing the emissions reductions, health benefits, and health cost savings which could be achieved from NZ moving to a plant-based diet, with comments from study author and OraTaiao member Jono Drew and OraTaiao Co-convenor Dr Alexandra Macmillan. "Fortunately, foods that are health-promoting tend also to be those that are climate friendly." Read here.

Interview with OraTaiao Co-convenor Dr Alexandra Macmillan on the impact of diet and food production on greenhouse gas emissions. Watch/read here.

Article on the emissions reductions, health benefits, and health cost savings which could be achieved from NZ moving to a plant-based diet, with comments from OraTaiao Co-convenor Dr Alexandra Macmillan. Read here.