The Future of Sustainability in Queenstown Panel for World Environment Day

World Environment Day 2026: A Global Call for Climate Action

World Environment Day 2026 brings people together around the world in a powerful call to accelerate climate action. As rising temperatures, fragile ecosystems, and extreme weather events increasingly shape our lives, this moment marks a critical turning point for humanity.

This year’s theme goes beyond reducing emissions - it challenges us to rethink the systems that power our economies, reshape our communities, and redefine our relationship with the natural world. It’s about collective responsibility and bold, meaningful change.

Join us for a day of connection, conversation, and action as we explore solutions, share ideas, and empower each other to be part of the global movement for climate resilience. Together, we can build a future that is safer, healthier, and more just for all.

Speakers:

Charlotte Instone - Chair

Charlotte Instone is a seasoned brand marketer with over a decade of experience driving impactful strategies for premium and sustainability-focused brands. She founded one of the UK’s first online retailers dedicated to ethical and sustainable brands, which scaled internationally, gaining global speaking engagements and earned recognition in Vogue and Forbes 30 Under 30. Over the last five years. Charlotte has worked on brand consultancy projects with several notable startups in the FMCG and sustainability space, before working as Marketing lead for Untouched World and currently Mountain Club.

Nicky Sygrove: Trustee for NZ Nature Fund.

Nicky is a strong advocate for conservation and is keen to protect our native taonga for generations to come. NZ Nature Fund bridges the gap between what government can fund and what nature needs to survive. NZ Nature Funds mission is to connect donor funds directly with conservation projects that make the difference between survival and silence.

Trent Yeo – Founder, Ziptrek Ecotours

Trent created a startup called Ziptrek Ecotours in Canada and became co-founder of Ziptrek in the iconic Queenstown, New Zealand location in 2009. Regenerative tourism practice is exemplified as a net-zero carbon business since 2019 and educative tourism model. Experimentation includes the first augmented reality zipline product in the world; Ziptrek Ecotours is a multiply awarded business on national level and across business types.

Paul Kavanagn - Southern Lakes Sancuary

Paul began his career as a field biologist with Ireland’s Parks and Wildlife (OPW), following an Honours degree in Zoology, before moving to Aotearoa in 2009 to further his work in conservation. He spent over 12 years as General Manager of Kiwi Birdlife Park, a wildlife sanctuary dedicated to protecting some of New Zealand’s most unique and precious species. Paul has also served as a trustee for both the Whakatipu Wildlife Trust and the Southern Lakes Sanctuary Trust, contributing to conservation efforts across the region. He brings extensive experience in managing large-scale, landscape-level conservation projects.

Join the conversation shaping a better future for our plant.