NZ Honorary Advisers
Simon Watt
Simon Watt is a commercial barrister, climate change and public law expert.
Simon was formerly a partner and Deputy Chair of the law firm Bell Gully and was a Trustee of the Foundation for 10 years.
Simon’s recent legal work includes advising the Government on agreements with New Zealand Steel and Fonterra which will reduce New Zealand’s carbon emissions by over 1 percent.
Simon led negotiations to procure New Zealand’s portfolio of Covid-19 vaccines during the pandemic. He has advised on carbon trading and avoided deforestation agreements in Asia and has advised a Bangladesh Parliamentary Committee on climate change and human rights issues.
Simon was recently a member of a Foundation Track-II delegation to Vietnam where he presented on opportunities for collaboration between New Zealand and Vietnam on emission reduction projects. His current governance roles are as Independent Chair of the Electricity Retailers’ Association of New Zealand and Deputy Chair of the New Zealand Medical Council.