Climate Related Disclosure Project

Scott Smith, a specialist in sustainable building design, will be your second facilitator. Scott brings 15 years of experience in the construction and buildings sector, particularly with a sustainable buildings perspective. Working with the NZGBC in all capacities, from scoping tools and wording guidelines to assessing and challenging their application, has provided Scott with an in-depth understanding of the development, adherence, and impact of environmental policies. Scott’s involvement with the NZGBC began in 2007 as an Accredited Professional under the Australian scheme. He has been involved in Green Star tool development for the Office As-Built v1, Office Existing v1, Office 2009, Industrial 2009 and Education 2009 tools and tested the Education 2009 tool through a pilot building. Besides his facilitation, Scott’s contributions in specialist advice, his vast experience, and his network throughout the property and construction sectors will be invaluable for this project.

Andrew is a qualified economist with more than fourteen years’ experience in the built environment. Working for consultancies, associations, government and built environment charities, he has a wealth of knowledge in housing, market mechanism, advocacy and the construction supply chain.

Andrew joined the New Zealand Green Building Council in September 2016 as Chief Executive. The NZGBC is the country’s leading not-for-profit for the sustainable built environment. As well as exemplary research, the NZGBC oversees Homestar and Green Star the award winning certifications for New Zealand homes and buildings, and NABERSNZ, the tool for confirming performance of offices in use.

Andrew is sometimes asked to speak on panels. There are many great women speakers in the construction and property sector. Andrew has made a commitment to not speak on all male panels. The NZGBC can assist in connecting you with a diverse range of speakers if that would be of use for your event.

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Matt will be one of your facilitators and principal point of contact. Matt has an extensive background in climate risk reporting, experience developing sector specific scenarios, and facilitating workshops with stakeholders in Aotearoa New Zealand and the US. Matt joined Beca in 2021 from the Ministry for the Environment. At MfE, he implemented the mandatory climate-related disclosures regime and reporting obligations under the Zero Carbon Act for lifeline utilities and councils. Matt has been supporting the Aotearoa Circle’s climate scenario development for the tourism sector as a member of their Technical Expert Group. He led work on MfE’s first Taskforce on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) report, prepared corporate guidance on performing climate scenario analysis, and is advising the External Reporting Board (XRB) on their guidance on transition planning. Matt’s TCFD and climate risk clients at Beca have included Tourism Holdings Ltd, the Wellington regional councils, and two New Zealand airports, which also involved collaboration with Beca’s building specialists. Matt also led workshops with Beca’s executives and board members to prepare Beca’s first TCFD report.

Kathleen is excited to join the team at NZGBC following a career break as a stay-at-home Mum. She has a breadth of experience in the non-profit and NGO sector.

She is formally trained as a political economist and has deep knowledge of the Sustainable Development Goals. Kathleen holds dual postgraduate degrees in international relations and development studies. Her previous work was focused in the NGO sector, where she led stakeholder engagement initiatives and built operational partnerships for impact specific to sub-Saharan Africa.

Kathleen loves the ocean and exploring Aotearoa with her family, cheering her girls on at gymnastics, reading a great book, enjoying a leisurely bike ride, and baking the perfect batch of brownies (she's happy to share her recipe!)