New Zealand has committed to net zero carbon by 2050 and a 50% reduction in emissions by 2030. Meeting these targets requires transformation across agriculture, transport, energy, and industry — and equity in that transition is essential. New Zealand's unique situation includes a high proportion of agricultural emissions (methane from livestock), significant renewable energy already, and Māori land and resources central to the energy transition. Grant funding supports emissions reduction, Just Transition for affected communities and workers, climate adaptation, and the research and advocacy that drives climate policy.
New Zealand's climate commitments
New Zealand's emissions profile
Key challenges
Ministry for the Environment
He Pou a Rangi (Climate Change Commission)
Independent advisory and monitoring body.
EECA (Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority)
Energy efficiency and renewable energy grants.
MBIE
NZ Green Investment Finance
Government green investment bank.
Te Puna Matarewa (NZ Community Foundations)
Some community climate grants.
The Todd Foundation
Community and environmental wellbeing.
ASB Community Trust
Sustainability and climate.
The Tindall Foundation
Environmental sustainability including climate.
Pure Advantage
Business leadership on climate.
Sunrise Foundation
Environmental sustainability.
Emissions reduction
Agricultural methane
Just Transition
Community climate action
Māori and climate
Climate adaptation
Research and innovation
Youth and education
Advocacy and policy
For Māori, climate change is not just an environmental issue — it's a Treaty issue and a cultural survival issue:
- Wāhi tapu (sacred sites) threatened by sea level rise
- Mahinga kai (traditional food gathering) disrupted by ecological change
- Māori land and resources are central to the energy transition (wind, solar, geothermal)
- Indigenous peoples are among the most climate-vulnerable globally
The energy transition must be by Māori, for Māori — not simply imposed on Māori lands. Iwi and hapū climate sovereignty is essential.
Agricultural emissions
New Zealand's unique agricultural emissions challenge requires specific solutions. Applications addressing agricultural methane — through research, on-farm practice, or policy — are directly relevant to NZ's net zero challenge.
Just Transition equity
The transition to a net zero economy must not leave behind workers and communities in carbon-intensive sectors. Applications that ensure equity in the transition — through retraining, economic diversification, and community planning — are more comprehensive.
Māori climate leadership
Māori must be partners and leaders in climate action, not just affected communities. Applications supporting Māori-led climate strategies and ensuring Treaty alignment in the energy transition are more legitimate.
Local action
National policy is essential but community-level climate action — local energy projects, council climate plans, community composting — delivers direct impact and builds support for larger transformation.
Tahua's grants management platform supports climate funders in New Zealand — with emissions reduction tracking, adaptation programme data, community engagement measurement, and the reporting tools that help climate funders demonstrate their investment in New Zealand's transition to a sustainable future.