Your Job is a Climate Job: Careers Talk

Ryan Philp is a sustainability professional, writer, and advocate for practical climate action through work and careers. As Head of Sustainability at Daikin New Zealand, he works across energy, buildings, heat pumps, and industry collaboration to help accelerate the transition to a low-emissions future.

Originally from the UK and now based in Auckland, Ryan wrote Your Job is a Climate Job to challenge the idea that our greatest impact comes solely from our personal carbon footprint.

Instead, he argues that the influence we have at work — through the decisions we make, the projects we shape, and the people we work with — may be our most powerful lever for change. He is passionate about helping people connect their careers with purpose and showing that there is no single pathway into climate work.

The founder of SBN, Rachel has played a critical role in advancing sustainable business for almost 20 years. She is a regular presenter, collaborator and driver of action within NZ business. She provides strategic sustainability advice to countless government agencies and businesses, ranging from large corporates to small enterprises. In 2018 she was awarded the New Zealand Order of Merit for years of service to sustainable business.

Emily Mabin Sutton is a climate action leader and co-founder of Climate Club Aotearoa, working with organisations and communities to turn climate awareness into practical action.

With a background spanning software and technology, product management and global tech startups, she brings a systems-focused and human-centred approach to sustainability.

Emily facilitates Climate training workshops and works with businesses, councils and leadership teams to build climate literacy and confidence. She also serves as a trustee and associate trustee across several organisations, including the Cool-Safe Trust, contributing to governance and sector leadership. Emily is passionate about making climate action accessible, inclusive and embedded in everyday decision-making.

A young energy leader shaping climate strategy — proving there is no single pathway into purpose-led work and that curiosity can outrun credentials. Esther Evening works at the intersection of energy, sustainability, and long-term strategy.

Currently a Sustainability and Strategy Analyst at Mercury NZ, she supports thinking around the energy transition and how climate considerations are embedded into future decision-making. Recognised as a Future Energy Leader with the World Energy Council, Esther brings a thoughtful, systems-focused perspective to climate and energy challenges, with a strong emphasis on inclusion, learning, and creating space for the next generation to help shape the future.

Tara is a Sustainability Advisor, “aka professional trash talker” (her words), at Reclaim (recycling & waste management), working with clients to improve their recycling and reduce waste to landfill.

She runs in-person and virtual education sessions for organisations across Aotearoa New Zealand, doing waste audits, and running the Recycle.co.nz social media accounts, and much more - anything to help people reduce waste and see recyclable material as a valuable resource. Tara also assists with running Recycling Week, Aotearoa New Zealand's largest annual campaign on waste and recycling education.

Recycling Week is a free campaign, designed to make learning about waste minimisation easy and fun. Go to https://rwhub.reclaim.co.nz/ to register - They'd love to have you/ your organisation join in!