Internationally renowned climate advocates Paul Hawken and Damon Gimeau will headline the annual Wao Summit this October. 

The annual summit features six days of talks, workshops and activities designed to inspire action towards a carbon-zero future and Wao co-founder Monique Kelly says the addition of the two renowned advocates for change is significant.

“We have worked tirelessly over the past five years to establish this summit as a lightbulb moment for climate education and change, so to have these two remarkable leaders join us is incredible,” she said. 

Paul and Damon are among 12 speakers which have been announced for the summit, which takes place in Wānaka and Queenstown in person for the first time since Covid-19 hit. 

See the full speakers list here.

Paul is a best-selling author and an international figure in the climate action space. He is the founder of Project Drawdown and the Regeneration Project, which is a global resource for substantive solutions to reverse global warming.

“He will speak to the challenges we as humanity face through biodiversity loss and climate change, as well as unpacking the key messages behind Drawdown - going beyond net zero, giving back more than we take, and putting life at the centre of every action and decision,” Wao said in a statement. 

Damon Gimeau, pictured during the filming of his critically acclaimed documentary 2040, will share his expertise in a talk in Wānaka this October.

Damon will speak at the summit’s ‘Regenerate 2030’ discussion, drawing on his extensive and varied career as an award-winning actor and director. 

He made his documentary feature directing debut with That Sugar Film, which has become the highest grossing Australian documentary of all time. 

Damon’s documentary film, 2040, explores what the future would look like by the year 2040 if we embraced the best solutions already available to us to improve our planet. 

There will also be a screening of 2040 at the October festival. 

Find more information about the 2022 Wao Summit programme and book tickets here.

Wao, a community non-profit, was founded by Monique and Arna Craig in 2018.

PHOTOS: Supplied