Australia, New Zealand and Pacific Island States

Australia

Circular Future Fund Launch: Planet Ark, in partnership with Boston Global, introduced the BG Planet Ark Circular Future Fund, aiming to raise up to $1 billion by 2030. This fund focuses on investments that reduce waste and carbon emissions, promoting recycling and sustainability in Australia.
Victoria’s Circular Economy Report: The Victorian Government released its Circular Economy Market Report 2025, introducing new metrics to measure circular economy performance. This initiative supports the state’s transition to a sustainable and thriving circular economy.

Gold Coast Infrastructure Plans: Mayor Tom Tate unveiled a compreh ensive plan for the Gold Coast, including the completion of the light rail system, development of an Advanced Resource Recovery Centre, and expansion of cultural venues like the Home of the Arts (HOTA). These initiatives aim to enhance transport infrastructure and promote sustainable urban development.

Pacific COP31 Proposal: Palau’s President Surangel Whipps Jr. advocated for Australia and Pacific nations to co-host the COP31 climate conference. This collaboration would emphasize the region’s commitment to renewable energy adoption and climate resilience.

2025 Budget Allocations: The New Zealand government announced significant investments in the 2025 budget, including NZ$6.8 billion in capital expenditure for health, education, defence, and transportation. Notably, NZ$1 billion is allocated for hospitals, and NZ$700 million for renovating school infrastructure.
Regulatory Standards Bill: A new Regulatory Standards Bill is being developed to enhance transparency and accountability in regulation-making, aiming to improve public sector efficiency.

Rail Network Upgrades: The government is investing NZ$461 million to upgrade and maintain the freight rail network, and NZ$140 million to replace and upgrade metropolitan passenger rail networks in Wellington and Auckland, enhancing connectivity and sustainability.

Local Water Done Well Policy: The “Local Water Done Well” policy replaces the previous “Three Waters” programme, emphasizing local ownership and decision-making over water services, while ensuring compliance with economic, environmental, and water quality standards.

Infrastructure Improvements: Pacific Island countries, including Samoa and Papua New Guinea, are enhancing infrastructure resilience. New standards have been codified for future roads in Samoa and wharves in Papua New Guinea, aiming to withstand climate impacts.
E-Mobility Initiatives: Countries like Tonga, Tuvalu, Kiribati, Fiji, and Vanuatu are prioritizing clean energy and sustainable transportation. Collaborative efforts are underway to deploy electric vehicles and develop supporting infrastructure, enhancing energy security and resilience.

Regional Collaboration: Pacific Island nations are sharing experiences and challenges related to transitioning from a linear to a circular economy. These discussions aim to promote sustainable resource management and reduce environmental impacts.