University of Auckland brings together global experts in green infrastructure

Study in New Zealand: The University of Auckland is hosting an event to bring together global experts to a conference to discuss nature-based solutions to create a natural urban environment.

Waipapa Taumata Rau at the University of Auckland is all set to host the World Green Infrastructure Congress from September 3-5, 2024. The university is getting ready to welcome local and global experts to a conference that holds the possibility to change the way our cities look in the future.

The event will see hundreds of green and sustainability infrastructure experts share their ideas with institutions, companies, scientists and public authorities. The aim is to create nature-based solutions to create sustainable urban environments. The topics include vertical greening, regeneration and biodiversity, risk and resilience, technology in sustainable design, and building neighborhoods.

Urban designer Zoë Avery is the chair of the World Green Infrastructure Congress 2024 committee. She is a professional teaching fellow in the School of Architecture and Planning. She said that the congress will give a platform to instigate and discuss nature-based solutions that enhance health, promote biodiversity, and transform how we design our cities.

She said, "This is an incredible opportunity to link professionals, academia, institutions, public authorities, scientists and community leaders, to advance action on climate resilience, health and biodiversity loss, as a few examples. It is quite rare that we have the opportunity to host a global congress in Aotearoa and link up so many different professionals all in one space – it’s great for development, business and policy.”

She also said that the cause is close to her heart, “Since I have been on this planet, we have lost 70 percent of the world’s animals – birds, fish, reptiles and insects. But nature provides cities with multiple benefits including stormwater mitigation, urban heat reduction, pollution reduction, well-being and biodiversity. It underpins a quality urban environment, but is currently treated as a secondary option with other infrastructure taking priority. Nature in cities should be considered sacrosanct.”

University of Auckland experts call for tougher standards on compostable products

A new study by the university found that not all compostable products are as eco-friendly as they claim. Ministry of Environment commissioned researchers in 2023 to find out how compostable products affect soil health. Three new reports presented the recommendations for regulating these products, their findings and potential consequences.

Compost supports the growth of food crops and enhances their fertility and it is important that it should be free from toxic substances.

The researchers studied ten products including bin liners, paper cups, food trays and pizza boxes for the presence of harmful substances such as heavy metals, plastics, and endocrine disrupting chemicals and PFAS. Their research found that many harmful substances were present in these products.

Associate Professor Lokesh Padhye said, “We need to be cautious about composting items with unknown chemical additives, as contaminants like PFAS and plastic polymers can persist in the environment for decades, posing long-term risks to soil and groundwater health."

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