The cause of concern is a session entitled “Courageous leadership in the time of the climate and biodiversity crises,” featuring representatives from Federated Farmers and Air New Zealand, as part of the weekend’s events at Te Papa in Wellington.

It’s an unusual situation, as the much-loved environmental organisation is more often the one taking the government to task over issues such as faltering climate action or mining on conservation land.

Paul Callister, a climate change policy researcher at Victoria University’s Institute for Governance and Policy Studies, and Massey University mathematician Robert McLachlan - both long-time supporters of Forest & Bird - say they are “deeply concerned” that the organisation is giving the aviation industry a platform for greenwashing at the upcoming conference.

Callister says greenwashing is rife in the aviation industry. “At this stage of the climate emergency it is equivalent to having the tobacco industry explaining how they plan to make their products less harmful without having someone from the public health community giving an alternative perspective.”

The pair has written an open letter, sent to Forest & Bird chief executive Nicola Toki, outlining their concerns. They are particularly concerned at the rapid rise in emissions from aviation, and have recently published two papers on the issue.

“This research indicates that airlines and the wider aviation industry are actively communicating a future of ‘decarbonised’ and even net-zero aviation. Unfortunately, at present, this is pure greenwash.”

They say that the combination of aggressive growth plans from the aviation and tourist industry, the slow adoption of mitigation measures, and the lack of regulation of this sector means that emissions are likely to grow.

“We are therefore deeply concerned to find that Forest & Bird has invited a representative from Air New Zealand to speak at its conference.”

The letter lists two specific concerns. “First, it is billed under the heading ‘Courageous Leadership in the time of the Climate & Biodiversity Crises’. Inviting a highly paid industry lobbyist from a high emitting sector to speak under this heading is an insult to the many people, most working as volunteers, who are courageously working to help avert the climate crisis rather than help cause it.”

The other main concern is that there is no opportunity to present an alternative view, that flying less and avoiding long-haul trips is the main way to reduce aviation emissions. “As New Zealand’s largest environmental organisation, it is important for Forest & Bird to demonstrate leadership on this issue.”

McLachlan also took a shot at Federated Farmers being featured in the talk via Forest & Bird’s facebook page, saying “What's this, Federated Farmers and Air New Zealand are speaking at the centennial F&B conference??? What next, ExxonMobil joining the session on ‘Courageous leadership in the climate crisis’? Seriously thinking of cancelling my 30 year membership + sponsorship. Very disappointing.”

Forest & Bird did not acknowledge the comment.

In a statement via email, Forest & Bird told Carbon News that New Zealand needs to make “significant in-roads” on climate change and biodiversity loss.

“We know we need action by decision-makers and leaders from across sectors, in particular those who are contributing significantly to the impacts and issues. That is why Forest & Bird’s conference has a session asking challenging questions of some of the leaders who need to make the biggest system level changes.”

McLachlan and Callister say they have two questions for Air New Zealand:

“What rate of air traffic growth is compatible with 1.5C and net zero?” and “Does Air New Zealand support regulation of all aviation emissions?”