Kia tutuki ai ngā whainga me ngā tumanako kia mau tonu i ngā mahi
Through working together our goals and objectives will be achieved
Join here
Kia tutuki ai ngā whainga me ngā tumanako kia mau tonu i ngā mahi
Through working together our goals and objectives will be achieved
Join here
For social workers in Aotearoa and the wider Moana-nui-a-Kiwa, this is a defining moment. Climate change deepens inequality, displaces communities, and disrupts cultural connections to whenua and moana. Its impacts are not neutral; they hit hardest on those already pushed to the margins including but not limited to indigenous peoples, Pacific nations, disabled communities, rangatahi tamariki, recent migrants, rural communities, and rainbow/LGBTQIA+ populations1.
In addition to articulating the significance of climate action for social work practice, this position statement also acknowledges the significant workload pressures already facing social workers. We propose multiple pathways for engagement in climate action that honour the diverse contexts and capacities of social workers across the sector.
ANZASW commits to supporting the profession by providing targeted resources, professional development opportunities, and strong leadership in environmental advocacy. We will demonstrate our commitment through our own sustainable practices and by advocating for systemic change at all levels.
Climate action is a moral imperative for social workers. This is a call to resist systems that profit from environmental destruction and to stand in solidarity with those on the frontlines of climate injustice1. By embracing our role as environmental advocates, we strengthen our capacity to create lasting positive change for present and future generations. This position statement is centred within on our relationships with the environment, particularly the significance of Te Ao Māori worldviews in understanding environmental stewardship and our link to Aotearoa New Zealand and the greater Pacific regions in social work.
Read the ANZASW Climate Action Position Statement
September 2025
