Better places Aotearoa

The climate conversation is changing. So how do we make sure people stay part of it?

In this episode of Better Places Aotearoa, we’re joined by climate communicator and founder of Climate Trunk, John Lang, to explore how we communicate about climate change, why some messages connect while others don’t, and how we can make a complex issue feel more relevant and accessible.

From the language we use and the stories we tell, to the influence of our own networks and communities, John Lang shares his perspective on what helps climate communication cut through, why most people may be more open to the conversation than we think, and how we can all use our influence to help drive change.

Takeaways

• Climate change is as much a social challenge as an environmental one.
• Language, stories and visuals shape how people engage with climate change.
• People may be more open to climate action than we think.
• Focus on benefits people value, such as healthier homes and saving money.
• Our influence on others can be as important as our individual actions.

Chapters

00:00 – Meet John Lang
04:54 – Why climate communication matters
07:18 – Making climate change easier to understand
09:41 – The power of stories and visuals
14:22 – Reaching the persuadable middle
21:37 – Climate communication and the built environment
23:52 – Health, homes and saving money
28:41 – Turning concern into action
33:33 – Electrification and individual action
35:20 – Ins and outs with John Lang

Resources mentioned in this episode

• Climate Trunk, John Lang’s visual approach to climate and energy
• Net Zero Tracker
• Kiwis in Climate
• Six Americas climate audience research
• Katharine Hayhoe on climate communication and storytelling
• The Righteous Mind by Jonathan Haidt

This Better Places Aotearoa episode features Davina Rooney, CEO of the Green Building Council of Australia, discussing the changing built environment and sustainability lessons from Australia. The conversation covers the challenges of communicating sustainability, the importance of circularity in sustainable businesses, the role of property as a service, and the need for leadership and management in sustainability initiatives. It also delves into the adoption of electric solutions and the impact of voluntary market adoption on policy change.

Takeaways

• Built environment transformation
• Effective communication of sustainability requires balancing technical detail with language that people understand.
• Circularity is crucial for the long-term sustainability of businesses in a predominantly linear economy.
• Property as a service requires incentivising both building owners and tenants to see the benefits.
• Leadership and management are essential for driving sustainability initiatives and creating a culture of a safe space for complex work.
• Voluntary market adoption can influence policy change and lower minimum standards over time.

Chapters

• 00:00 The Changing Built Environment
• 01:28 Focus Challenges and Sustainability
• 05:10 Sustainability Initiatives in Australia
• 08:56 Lessons for New Zealand
• 12:50 Improving Home Standards in Australia and New Zealand
• 20:11 Driving Sustainable Change in the Built Environment
• 25:33 Challenges of Communicating Sustainability
• 29:16 The Importance of Circularity
• 37:40 Property as a Service and Incentivisation
• 42:43 Leadership and Management in Sustainability
• 46:24 Adoption of Electric Solutions and Voluntary Market Adoption

Resources mentioned in this episode

The Circular Economy | Definition & Model Explained | Ellen MacArthur Foundation 

Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS) tools update December 2025. - Australian Housing Da…

Sustainability in Property 2025
www.gbca.org.au
worldgbc.org

Stolen Focus by Johann Hari

The conversation with Sarah, the Sustainability and Brand Director for Cooper and Company, covers topics related to the development and sustainability of the Britomart precinct. Sarah discusses the challenges and successes of restoring heritage buildings and the long-term vision of the company. The conversation also delves into the long-term planning and getting things done. The episode covers the sustainable refurbishment of buildings, the impact of Green Star ratings, the importance of public spaces, and the long-term vision for building design and development.

Takeaways

• Sustainability in building development
• Long-term vision and planning
• Challenges and successes of restoring heritage buildings
• Balancing long-term planning with getting things done
• Sustainable refurbishment
• Impact of Green Star ratings
• Importance of public spaces

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Britomart Precinct
• 02:17 Role and Experience at Cooper and Company
• 04:40 Embedding Sustainability and Reporting
• 09:56 Long-Term Vision and Planning
• 15:11 Heritage Buildings
• 23:07 Sustainable Refurbishment
• 24:33 Green Star Ratings and Sustainability
• 27:29 Public Spaces and Precinct Development
• 29:51 Long-Term Vision for Building Design
• 36:23 Future-Proofing and Sustainability

Useful resources
Britomart – Cooper and Company

Green Star Buildings NZ
Green Star Fitouts certification

This is the inaugural episode of the Better Places Aotearoa podcast with special guest Peter Wolfkamp. It covers topics such as craftsmanship, building performance, energy modelling, trustworthiness of builders, the role of designers, and future trends in the building industry. Peter emphasises the importance of going beyond the building code and the need for innovation and efficiency in home building. He also discusses the impact of AI, USB C charging ports, and garage carpet in homes.

Takeaways

• Craftsmanship and passion drive better building performance
• Energy modelling is essential for optimising building performance

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Peter Wolfkamp
• 01:28 Craftsmanship and Home Building
• 02:23 Craftsmanship vs. House Building
• 03:22 Building Homes for Better Performance
• 04:19 Designing for Efficiency and Performance
• 05:13 The Value of Going Beyond the Building Code
• 06:11 Energy Modelling and Building Performance
• 08:38 Builders' Trustworthiness and Innovation
• 09:35 The Role of Young Builders and Future Trends
• 10:06 The Building Code and Aspirational Housing
• 10:35 The Impact of Building Code and Energy Modelling
• 31:27 The Role of Designers and Architects
• 39:29 Future-Proofing Homes and Building Trends

Useful resources

Analysis of financial benefits of Homestar FINAL.pdf
Homestar Design Guide

Upcoming energy modelling courses
Events & Training