The challenge of aviation and shipping emissions | Webinar Recording
A webinar presented by Robert McLachlan, hosted by Chris Watson.
Date: Thursday, 12th February 2026
Time: 7pm
These two large sectors have proven to be capable of rapid growth (for example in long-haul tourism and the cruise industry) and extremely difficult to rein in. In addition, New Zealand has become more and more reliant on aviation and shipping both economically and socially. No technological solution is ready yet. Despite this, the global aviation and shipping industries have both set net-zero 2050 targets. Can that really be taken seriously? What are our options and what should New Zealand do?
Robert McLachlan is Distinguished Professor in Applied Mathematics at Massey University and writes on climate and environment at planetaryecology.org. He is a member of the Planetary Limits Academic Network.
Chris Watson, the author of Beyond Flying: Rethinking air travel in a globally connected world, hosted Robert McLachlan on the challenge of aviation and shipping emissions.
Chris, after growing up in an airline family, getting his private pilot licence and flying for his business, drastically reduced his flying upon learning about the climate impacts. In 2014, he produced the book ‘Beyond Flying’, which chronicles alternatives to flying.