Welcome to this week's issue

Nominations for the 2025 EIANZ Merit Awards open today! These annual awards recognise members and practitioners who have made an outstanding contribution to the Institute and the environment profession. Highlight the exceptional work of your peers and give credit where it's due by submitting a nomination today!
Submit a nomination form for the Merit Awards → 

Australia’s Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) has released a quarterly update on Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions. The report shows changes in sources of emissions but minimal overall change since December 2023. Emissions in the year to December 2024 were 27.0% below June 2005 levels (the base year for Australia’s 43% reduction by 2030 target under the Paris Agreement).
Read the report →

EIANZ’s Certified Environmental Practitioner (CEnvP) Scheme is seeking expressions of interest from highly skilled practitioners to join the Ecology and Heritage Specialist Environmental Advisory Committees (ECO-SEAC and HER-SEAC).

SEACs contribute specialist expertise to the formation, standards, promotion and continuous improvement of a CEnvP specialisation. SEAC membership requires a commitment to participate in online meetings at least three times annually, with additional responsibilities available in the Terms of Reference below. If you are interested in shaping the continuous improvement of the Heritage or Ecology certification, please submit an expression of interest via the link below.
Read the SEAC Terms of Reference →
Submit an expression of interest to the CEnvP →

At the recent International Association for Impact Assessment Conference (IAIA25) in Italy, several papers highlighted the influence of First Nations groups on cumulative impact assessment. Innovations in Canada and South America, driven by a rights-based framework, include community-led impact assessment and the integration of traditional knowledge, leading to more holistic approaches. 

In response to these initiatives and the changing discourse, the IAIA Indigenous Peoples Section has agreed to start updating the IAIA Best Practice Guidelines on Respecting Indigenous Peoples and Traditional Knowledge. EIANZ’s Indigenous Engagement Working Group Co-ChairDr Alan Chenoweth HLMEIANZ has offered EIANZ assistance in updating this international guideline.
Read the current IAIA Best Practice Guidelines on Respecting Indigenous Peoples and Traditional Knowledge →
Read EIANZ’s Position Statement on Indigenous Peoples’ Knowledge and Engagement →

Limited paces remain for an exclusive tour of the CSIRO's Australian National Insect Collection for registered delegates of the EIANZ 2025 Insects in Crisis Symposium at no additional cost! 

These rare tours are planned for both the morning and afternoon on the Thursday 3 July, the day before the conference, giving you the flexibility to choose a time that suits you. Each tour is strictly limited to 15 delegates and separate registration is essential. Please indicate in the registration process which tour you wish to be a part of. We look forward to welcoming you – it promises to be a fascinating and memorable experience!
Learn more and register for the National Insect Collection tour → 

The EIANZ 2025 New Zealand Chapter Hybrid Symposium is gaining momentum! We’re bringing together industry leaders across Aotearoa for a series of three dynamic technical sessions, livestreamed from Christchurch, Wellington, and Auckland. Each session features high-calibre speakers on the theme ‘The environmental challenges facing New Zealand’, presenting live from one host city—while being broadcast to audiences across the country and beyond.

The sessions will run as follows:

• 18 June | Christchurch and online
• 24 June | Wellington and online
• 26 June | Auckland and online

Whether you're based in Christchurch, Wellington or Auckland—or tuning in from anywhere else—this hybrid format ensures you don’t miss out. We encourage in-person attendance where possible for the full experience, but online access makes it easy to join from wherever you are.
Register for the New Zealand Chapter Hybrid Symposium →

The EIANZ 2025 Nature Positive Cities Symposium (NPCS) wrapped up yesterday! Day Three focused on global perspectives and lined up perfectly with World Environment Day. Our thanks to all our Day Three speakers and delegates, and the EIANZ Nature Positive Cities Community of Practice, for making the symposium such a success.

This Sunday, 8 June is UN World Oceans Day.This year's theme focuses on 'wonder', celebrating the ocean and all the wonders it consists of, as well as the wonder it ignites.This World Oceans Day calls on decision-makers to not lose sight of the ocean’s wonder when determining its fate
Learn more about UN World Oceans Day →

Of interest​​​​​

Australia

The Queensland government is cancelling renewable energy projects. Can the state still reach net zero?
Learn more →

What can be done about the 'new world' of extreme weather?
Learn more →

Mining giant Rio Tinto growing native pongamia trees for biofuel potential
Learn more →

Sydney's sulphur-crested cockatoos spotted using drinking fountains
Learn more →

Endangered Leadbeater's possum found in Kosciuszko National Park
Learn more →

New Zealand

Climate change scientists accuse NZ government of 'ignoring scientific evidence'
Learn more →

Australian Mining company gets lucrative Marlborough Sounds exploration permit
Learn more →

NZ’s methane stoush goes global as Govt mulls weaker target
Learn more →

Toxic 'superweed' spreading across Northland sparks concern for pastoral farming sector
Learn more →

Animals have culture too, and it’s in our best interests to embrace it
Learn more →

Global

Sicily's Mount Etna sends plumes of smoke into sky in ashy eruption
Learn more →

Hawaiʻi makes history as first state to charge tourists a "green fee" to save environment
Learn more →

The U.S. Supreme Court just blew up a major environmental law
Learn more →

If you'd like to respond to any of the news, contact us at office@eianz.org to find out how we can assist.

Professional development

View all upcoming EIANZ events >

Open for submission

If you'd like to contribute to an EIANZ submission, contact us at office@eianz.org to find out how.  

New

Give your feedback on two important plans for nature | The Department of Conservation | Closes 30 June 2025
Learn more →

NZ ETS unit settings and annual regulatory updates 2025 | Ministry for the Environment | Closes 29 Jun 2025
Learn more →

Still open

Public consultation on the ACCU Scheme Landfill Gas Exposure Draft method and Explanatory Statement | Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water | Closes 12 June 2025
Learn more →

Draft threat abatement plan for ecosystem degradation, habitat loss and species decline due to invasion by introduced grasses | Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water | Closes 13 June 2025
Learn more →

Public Works (Critical Infrastructure) Amendment Bill | New Zealand Parliament | Closes 13 June 2025
Learn more →

Action for nature: Implementing New Zealand’s Biodiversity Strategy 2025-2030 public consultation | Department of Conservation  | Closes 30 June 2025
Learn more →

Predator Free 2050 strategy review public consultation | Department of Conservation  | Closes 30 June 2025
Learn more →

Draft referral guidelines for clearing or modification of native vegetation on King Island, Tasmania under the EPBC Act | Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water | Closes 1 July 2025
Learn more →

Consultation on Species Listing Eligibility and Conservation Actions – Phaethon lepturus fulvus (golden bosun) | Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water | Closes 8 July 2025
Learn more →

Consultation on Species Listing Eligibility and Conservation Actions – Pimelea venosa (Bolivia Hill rice-flower) | Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water | Closes 8 July 2025
Learn more →

Draft listing assessment for Nyctophilopython oenpelliensis (nawaran, Oenpelli python) | Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water | Closes 8 July 2025
Learn more →

Draft Listing Assessment for Strophurus horneri (Arnhem phasmid gecko) | Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water | Closes 8 July 2025
Learn more →

Consultation on Species Listing Eligibility and Conservation Actions – Mogurnda adspersa (MDB) |  Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water | Closes 8 July 2025
Learn more →

Consultation on Species Listing Eligibility and Conservation Actions – Melaleuca agathosmoides | Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water | Closes 16 July 2025
Learn more →

New assessment of the conservation status of reptiles in Aotearoa New Zealand | Department of Conservation | Closes 21 July 2025
Learn more →

Consultation on updating RMA national direction | Ministry for the Environment | Consultation for the first three packages close 27 July 2025.Consultation on package 4 to start in early June.
Learn more →

Aotearoa New Zealand’sFreshwater national direction |  Ministry for the Environment | Closes 27 July 2025
Learn more →

Aotearoa New Zealand’s World Heritage Tentative List | Ministry for the Environment | Closes 30 January 2026
Learn more →

Jobs board

Opportunities recently advertised on our Jobs Board:

View all jobs  >

In case you missed it

The EIANZ 2025 Nature Positive Cities Symposium (NPCS) completed Day Two on Thursday 29 May. The session focused on operationalising nature positive principles, bridging the gap between vision and implementation. Our thanks to all our Day Two speakers and delegates, and the EIANZ Nature Positive Cities Community of Practice, for making the second session such a success.

The EIANZ 2025 New Zealand Chapter Hybrid Symposium is taking registrations! Join us either in-person or online – for a series of expert-led sessions, that will focus on the theme "The environmental challenges facing New Zealand".

The sessions will run as follows:

• 18 June | Christchurch and online
• 24 June | Wellington and online
• 26 June | Auckland and online

Whether you're based in Christchurch, Wellington or Auckland—or tuning in from anywhere else—this hybrid format ensures you don’t miss out. We encourage in-person attendance where possible for the full experience, but online access makes it easy to join from wherever you are.
Register for the New Zealand Chapter Hybrid Symposium → 

The Aotearoa New Zealand Ministry for the Environment has called for feedback on proposals to change, and inform development of, national direction under the resource management system. A series of online webinars will cover the four consultation packages for discussion: infrastructure and development, the primary sector, freshwater, and the Going for Housing Growth program. Once finalised, these instruments will set resource management policy and rules for regional and local plans, policy statements and resource consent decisions.  
Learn more and register for the webinars →

In anticipation of the Aotearoa New Zealand Government's proprosed reforms, EIANZ's New Zealand Chapter is preparing to coordinate a formal submission. To do this effectively, they are seeking volunteers from our membership to support and lead this important mahi.

The submission will focus on the following three key areas:

• Infrastructure and development.
• Freshwater management.
• Primary sector and rural land use.

To support this effort, the Chapter is looking for:

• Chairs for each of the three areas to lead the preparation of draft content.
• Contributors to join small working groups under each area.
• Workshop participants to help test and refine our submission through discussion and feedback

This is a valuable opportunity to collaborate with like-minded professionals and contribute to the public discourse on reforms that directly affect environmental practitioners.

If you are interested in assisting, please contact Connor Whiteley by Friday 6 June.
Express your interest  →

The upcoming EIANZ 2025 Insects in Crisis Symposium has secured registrations for an exclusive tour of the CSIRO's Australian National Insect Collection for conference delegates at no additional cost. These rare tours are planned for both the morning and afternoon on the Thursday 3 July, the day before the conference, giving you the flexibility to choose a time that suits you. Each tour is strictly limited to 15 delegates and separate registration is essential. Please indicate in the registration process which tour you wish to be a part of. 

We look forward to welcoming you – it promises to be a fascinating and memorable experience!
Learn more and register for the National Insect Collection tour → 

Last week marked National Reconciliation Week. The 2025 theme, 'Bridging Now to Next', reflects the ongoing connection between past, present and future. Bridging Now to Next calls on all Australians to step forward together, to look ahead and continue the push forward as past lessons guide us. Reconciliation Week is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.
Find a NRW2025 event happening near you →

In collaboration with the Australian Association for Environmental Education (AAEE) and the New Zealand Association for Environmental Education (NZAEE), EIANZ announced the online launch of Catching the Wave: Australian and Aotearoa New Zealand educators’ perceptions of environmental and sustainability education practices, which took place on Thursday, 5 June. This report was co-commissioned by EIANZ and completed by researchers from Sydney University, Deakin University and Auckland University.

The launch event shared key findings gathered from over 400 environmental educators from Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand and begin the next steps to co-designing a joint position paper. 

The EIANZ Ethics Committee has updated the EIANZ Guidance Note for Ethical Practice in Undertaking Peer Reviews. This note is relevant to all cases where environmental practitioners are independently evaluating the work of others, including internal and external peer reviews, and reviews as part of audit processes.
Learn more about the Guidance Note for Ethical Practice in Undertaking Peer Reviews → 

EIANZ website instructions

To register for EIANZ events, make sure your contact details are up-to-date. Additionally, to access your journal subscription you must be logged into the EIANZ website. Your details are registered as:

Username: *Username Hidden*
First name: Chelsea
Last name: Emerick

Your registered email address is the address this message was sent to.
 
Please click here if you have forgotten your password.

Refer to the help section of our website for information and step by step instructions on using the EIANZ website.