SDG 13 Climate Action

We aspire to reach 100% renewable energy use on campus. In 2025, of the 71GJ of energy we used, the proportion from renewable sources was 64%.

Local climate change education and outreach

The University of Waikato provides climate change education programmes and outreach activities that help local schools and communities understand climate risks, impacts, mitigation and adaptation.

The University's Climate Ambassador Programme (opens in a new tab) engages Year 13 students from across Waikato and the Bay of Plenty in climate change science and practical responses to environmental challenges. Through workshops, lectures and case study competitions, students explore climate change impacts and develop solutions to real-world problems. Since its introduction in 2023, the programme has addressed topics including reducing emissions in Hamilton City (opens in a new tab) and the impacts of sea-level rise in New Zealand.

The University also delivers science outreach activities (opens in a new tab) to schools and community groups, providing opportunities for young people to engage with scientific research and environmental challenges. Waikato’s Unistart programme enables secondary school students to further develop their understanding through Introduction to Climate Change Science (opens in a new tab) (CLIMT101), which covers the scientific foundations of climate change, mitigation and adaptation.

Climate education also extends to the wider community through free public lectures. In 2026, the University hosted Planning for an Uncertain Future: Rethinking Resilience, Risk and Adaptation in a Changing Climate (opens in a new tab), exploring extreme weather risks, community resilience, disaster preparedness and nature-based adaptation solutions. Another public lecture on freshwater restoration in a changing climate (opens in a new tab) examined environmental challenges affecting lakes and the role of communities, iwi and environmental managers in responding to these changes.

World-first Bachelor of Climate Change

The University of Waikato achieved a world-first in 2021, with the launch of a Bachelor of Climate Change degree. The three-year cross-disciplinary undergraduate degree combines scientific knowledge of the biophysical world with understanding of economic and political systems and the impacts on Māori, Pacific, and Indigenous communities. Dean of Science, Professor Margaret Barbour (opens in a new tab), says students with the new qualification will be in demand as we work towards the target of net-zero emissions by 2050.

Supporting government on climate change risks and resilience

The University of Waikato supports local and regional government in understanding climate change risks and strengthening disaster preparedness through research, risk assessments and evidence-based planning.

The University's research has informed regional climate planning, including a strategic assessment of climate change impacts on the Waikato region (opens in a new tab), commissioned by Waikato Regional Council. The assessment examines projected climate changes and potential impacts across the region, providing information to support regional planning, adaptation and the management of environmental and natural hazard risks.

University researchers also investigate how communities and infrastructure can prepare for climate-related hazards through work on resilience to natural hazards and climate change (opens in a new tab) and disaster impacts and system resilience (opens in a new tab). This research examines the implications of extreme events for communities, essential services and infrastructure, supporting a better understanding of disaster preparedness and long-term resilience.

In addition, University research into long-term risk management in New Zealand local government (opens in a new tab) examines the challenges councils face when making decisions under uncertainty, including risks associated with climate change and natural hazards.

Collaboration with NGOs on climate adaptation and resilience

The University of Waikato collaborates with charitable trusts, community organisations and environmental partners to strengthen community resilience to climate-related hazards and support environmental restoration.

Following Cyclone Gabrielle, University researchers worked with community partners, including Te Weu Charitable Trust and Sustainable HB Centre for Climate & Resilience (opens in a new tab), to examine the experiences of affected communities and identify priorities for future disaster preparedness. This research highlighted the importance of local knowledge, community support networks and access to essential resources in responding to extreme weather events and improving resilience.

The University also collaborates with environmental and educational organisations on ecological restoration. For example, the University's Environmental Research Institute prepared restoration assessments and management plans for the Kukutaaruhe Gully restoration initiative (opens in a new tab), commissioned by the Kukutaaruhe Education Trust. The project supports indigenous vegetation restoration, environmental education and community involvement in improving the local environment.

Lessons from Cyclone Gabrielle

Shortly after Cyclone Gabrielle devastated the East Coast region of the North Island of New Zealand in 2023, the Manatū Hauora/Ministry of Health commissioned a group of researchers including the University of Waikato's Holly Thorpe (opens in a new tab) to investigate the impacts of adverse weather events on health systems and community health and wellbeing.

The community research teams interviewed 143 residents in the two affected regions. They included first responders, health workers, council staff and members of the public.

A report published by the Ministry of Health in 2024 contained five key recommendations (opens in a new tab) made by the group to help plan for future events.