Auckland Council is looking for your input into addressing rising carbon emissions and the effects of our region’s changing climate.
On 7 June Councillor Penny Hulse, the Chair of Auckland Council’s Environment and Community Committee, announced the first stage in developing a climate action plan for Auckland.
"As well as working with businesses, government agencies and other sectors, it is important that Aucklanders get involved in developing this plan," says Cr Hulse.
"It’s no use creating an approach to climate change that doesn’t resonate with people who live and work in our region.
'We’re keen to hear from community groups, local interest groups, residents, young people – anyone who would like to provide their thoughts on how we create a region that can integrate the impacts of climate change into its everyday planning and development."
The council’s working group will use this feedback to draft Auckland’s Climate Action Plan, which will then go out for public consultation in early 2019.
An independent advisory group of national and international technical experts will be appointed to rigorously check and challenge the work, and to ensure implementation stays on track.
The start of Auckland Council’s work on developing a climate action plan coincides with the beginning of public consultation on the government’s Zero Carbon Bill, which was launched by Climate Change Minister James Shaw on 7 June.
"I urge you to have your say on the Government’s Zero Carbon Bill as it will impact and amplify our work here in Auckland," says Councillor Hulse.
"Let the government know that you support a clean, low-carbon, fair and climate-ready New Zealand."
Why do we need a climate action plan?
Auckland’s climate is changing. We are already experiencing higher temperatures, increased drought, more intense rainfall and sea-level rise and we expect to see more change over the next 100 years. Climate change will undoubtedly impact us – our communities, infrastructure, economy and the natural environment.
The government has signaled its intention for New Zealand to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 but Auckland’s carbon emissions are not decreasing.
Councillor Hulse acknowledges that Auckland is already taking action but there is more work to do.
“New Zealand has made a commitment, via the Paris agreement, to keeping temperature increases below 1.5° Celsius. Auckland’s Climate Action Plan is how we will help New Zealand achieve this by rapidly reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving the resilience of the region.”
Opportunities and benefits for Aucklanders should also be an outcome of raising our ambitions in response to climate change.
"I expect to see cleaner air and water, healthier communities, improved housing choice and more accessible transport as a result of addressing climate change," says Councillor Hulse.
John Mauro, Auckland Council Chief Sustainability Officer, says acting on climate change means making tough choices but believes those decisions will reduce major risk, build resilience and unlock opportunities for Aucklanders. He says a climate-ready Auckland also needs to be a fairer and more equitable city.
"The transition to a low-emissions and climate-ready city requires us to do so without leaving people, especially our most vulnerable, behind," he says.
Get involved
We invite you to give us your feedback, thoughts and ideas on the actions and initiatives we can take to reduce carbon emissions and make Auckland more resilient to the effects of climate change.
We’ll be workshopping with your local board, working with mana whenua and approaching businesses, organisations and individuals for ideas, involvement and input. Our approach is to co-design the plan and work alongside our partners and stakeholders well before a draft document is produced.
We’re inviting your input through community and stakeholder workshops that will be held later this year, and we’re also planning an interactive microsite to help capture Aucklander’s ideas, opinions and involvement.
Email us at climateaction@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz to register your interest and to receive more information about how you can be involved in shaping Auckland’s low-carbon and resilient future.
Zero Carbon Bill
Consultation on the government’s Zero Carbon Bill will run for six weeks from 7 June to 19 July 2018.
The Ministry will be holding a public meeting in Auckland on Friday 22 June from 4pm-6pm at Rydges Hotel, 59 Federal Street, Auckland 1010. More information about these 'Have Your Say' events, including up-to-date event location information, is available on its website.
For more information about the government's Zero Carbon Bill please see the Ministry for the Environment website.
