From Blubber to Biofuels

Looking back at Nelson's heritage as a significant whaling seaport, it was a centre for bioenergy. As we shifted from whaling to contemporary environmental stewardship, we questioned Nelson's emphasis on transitioning to a sustainable blue bioenergy economy.

We're holding a session on lessons learnt from the UNDP Archipelagic and Island States (AIS) Forum. The first high-level meeting of 51 archipelagic and island states worldwide to participate in a collective forum addressing sustainable development issues where Alimentary represented Aotearoa and presented the Bell Island project.

If you are interested in these current challenges:

1. Insights into the environmental challenges related to ocean waste discharge.

2. The importance of effective waste management, exercising Tino Rangatiratanga and supporting a healthy blue economy.

3. Leveraging Nelson's Potential as a centre of national innovation.

We will explore Nelson's potential as a critical global blue energy economy contributor.

A further discussion on the Bell Island project and its regional significance.

Why should I attend

• Educational insights into blended finance and its role in the carbon economy.

• Understanding the synergy between green and blue economies for sustainable development.

• Updates on the Bell Island project's progress and strategic position in the global blue energy economy.

• Discussion on the economic and environmental benefits of a sustainable blue economy for Nelson.

What We Will Discuss:

• Knowledge of blended finance in sustainability projects

• The importance of integrating green and blue economies for a resilient future.

• Latest developments in the Bell Island project and its potential regional impact.

Speaker Bio:

Matthew Jackson, an Edmund Hillary Fellow from Aotearoa, New Zealand, was recently selected to represent New Zealand at the United Nations Development Programme's (UNDP) AIS Startup Blue Business Summit 2023, part of the Archipelagic and Island States (AIS) Forum. He has since met with MFAT, MFE, and Callaghan officials to discuss the impact on global trade and emissions policy. This is the first public discussion about this  UNDP event when Matthew engaged in two key sessions. The first was the High-Level Dialogue Session II, focusing on "Harnessing Blue Financing for Archipelagic and Island States to Accelerate Blue Economy Implementation," where he contributed as a panellist.

The second was Plenary B, titled "Blue Innovation for Climate Change and Energy Challenges: Catalysing Sustainable Innovation in New Zealand," where he delivered a talk addressing climate change and energy challenges.

Additionally, Alimentary is nearing the final stages of a conditional funding submission to the Waste Minimisation Fund (WMF), seeking an investment between $1.9 and $3.7 million. This funding, if granted, would be directly invested in Nelson's economy, furthering local initiatives aligned with the sustainable goals discussed at the AIS Blue Economy Summit.