Regional Policy Statement for Taranaki |
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| This page: | Part B Section 7.2 — Climate change |
7.2 Responding to the effects of climate change
Background to the issue
The general consensus of scientific opinion is that the world is getting warmer causing its climate to change. Global temperatures today are about 0.6 degrees Celsius higher than they were in the early 1900s.
While there is not unanimous agreement, there is now strong evidence that most of the warming observed is attributable to increased concentrations of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide produced by human activities. Human activities such as deforestation, animal husbandry, the application of nitrogenous pasture fertiliser, the decomposition of organic wastes, transport, and using fossil fuels, such as coal, for industrial processing and generating electricity have produced more and more of these gases over the last century. As more gases accumulate, the Earth gets warmer - resulting in rising sea temperatures and sea levels, the melting of glaciers and ice caps (which also increase sea levels) and greater extremes in weather patterns, such as more storms of greater intensity and longer droughts.
At a regional level, research indicates that, over the next 70-100 years, Taranaki's temperatures could be up to 3˚C warmer, the climate could be up to 20% wetter with more varied rainfall patterns, and flooding is likely to become more frequent and severe.
The effects of climate change are manifold and likely to impose significant costs on the community. Global warming is expected to lead to a rise in the average sea level due to the thermal expansion of ocean water and melting of glacial and polar ice. Rising sea levels and more extreme weather events may increase coastal erosion, threaten vulnerable beaches and low-lying areas, and increase the need for coastal protection measures.
In rural areas, if extreme events such as floods and droughts become more severe and frequent, costs to farmers associated with dealing with stock losses, increased soil erosion and damage and disruptions to farm operations would be expected to increase. A wetter climate may also increase 'pugging' of pasture and cropping soils during winter. Hotter summer days could also increase competition for water uses in some areas between agricultural irrigation and domestic and industrial uses during drier periods. Generally warmer temperatures could further facilitate the spread of some pests, diseases and lower feed-quality sub-tropical grasses such as kikuyu grass. There may also be some benefits for agriculture and forestry through improved plant growth because of longer growing seasons and rising carbon dioxide levels and the potential for new crops and associated industries to move into new areas.
In urban areas, heavier rainfall will put added pressure on drainage and stormwater systems and increase flooding risks in some areas. Housing areas near river banks and lake shores are likely to become more prone to floods. Roading infrastructure might need more maintenance work and new structures such as bridges may need to accommodate higher flood peaks in their design.
Climate change can adversely affect ecosystems including those with conservation and biodiversity values.
The public health effects of climate change include warmer winters that might alleviate cold-related illnesses and death, and hotter summers that might cause heat stress and promote the spread of sub-tropical diseases and their vectors. Some greenhouse gas emissions are also indirectly contributing to ozone depletion, which results in increased ultraviolet radiation and increased risk of skin cancer.
The significant issue in relation to responding to the effects of climate change is:
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Planning for and managing adverse effects on the environment arising from climate change, particularly associated with rising sea levels and more variable extreme weather patterns. |
Objective
CCH OBJECTIVE 1
To avoid, remedy or mitigate the adverse effects on the Taranaki environment arising from climate change.
Policies
Adapting to the effects of climate change
CCH POLICY 1 Avoid or mitigate adverse effects on the environment arising from climate change by recognising and providing for: (a) the development and protection of the built environment and infrastructure in a manner that takes into account the potential effects of rising sea levels and more variable and extreme weather patterns; (b) adaptation within agriculture, forestry and other primary industries to reduce the adverse effects of climate change on the use of natural and physical resources; (c) a potential increase in biosecurity risks to primary production and biodiversity values; and (d) possible adverse effects on ecosystems including those with conservation and biodiversity values and on public health.
Mitigating the effects of climate change
CCH POLICY 2 To promote actions within the Taranaki region to mitigate the effects of climate change, by giving effect to the functions and responsibilities of local government under the Resource Management Act and by promoting actions in accordance with the functions of local government under other Acts within the context of New Zealand's national policy framework for climate change.
Explanation of the policy
Policy 1 recognises that there is likely to be a range of adverse effects on the environment arising from climate change. These include impacts on the built environment, primary industries, natural ecosystems and public health.
Policy 1 also recognises that adverse effects arising from climate change are likely to be particularly significant in certain areas. Local authorities, as managers of significant infrastructural assets and through their statutory resource management and emergency management responsibilities, will, as opportunities arise and as practicable, plan and prepare for the anticipated effects of climate change. Some effects such as public health remain the responsibility of central government and, in this case, the health sector.
Climate change is a global issue that central government is addressing at an international and national level. The Resource Management Act effectively excludes regional councils from the role of regulating emissions for climate change purposes. However, in carrying out its functions under the RMA the Council is required to have particular regard to the effects of climate change and the benefits to be derived from the use and development of renewable energy. The Council must also have regard to the extent to which renewable energy enables a reduction in the discharge to air of greenhouse gases when making rules under section 70A of the Act or when considering applications for resource consents under section 104E of the Act. Furthermore, under Policy 2, local government will explore opportunities for supporting national policies and, where appropriate, promote mitigation and adaptation measures that address climate change problems.
Related policies
Policies 1, 2 and 3 of Section 5.3 [Hazardous substances and contaminated sites]; all the policies relating to Section 7.1 [Air quality]; Policies 1 and 2 in Section 9.1 [Indigenous biodiversity]; all the policies relating to Section 10.3 [Amenity values], Section 11 [Natural hazards], and Section 14 [Energy].
Methods of implementation
The Taranaki Regional Council will:
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Consider including in regional plans, objectives, policies and rules to avoid or mitigate the adverse effects of climate change.
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In conjunction with sector groups, research organisations and others, support the identification, evaluation and implementation of non-regulatory measures by resource users that reduce, remedy or mitigate greenhouse gas emission.
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Provide advice and information, including guidelines to landowners, resource users and the public: (a) to generally promote recognition of and provision for climate change issues; (b) to promote energy efficiency, cleaner production technologies and waste minimisation practices that avoid or mitigate adverse effects arising from climate change; and (c) on the siting, design, installation, operation and maintenance of buildings and infrastructure that avoid or mitigate adverse effects arising from climate change. |
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Advocate: (a) to central government that they generally promote recognition of climate change issues; (b) to central government that they promote energy efficiency, renewable energy and cleaner production technologies and waste minimisation practices that avoid or mitigate adverse effects arising from climate change; and (c) to agencies involved in natural hazard management and planning that they recognise, as appropriate, the effects of climate change on natural hazard processes and risk management.
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Consider participation in central government initiatives, as part of a strategic approach to manage greenhouse gas emissions.
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Retain as appropriate membership of the Communities for Climate Change Protection, which would involve the Council taking actions including the implementation, monitoring and reporting of an action plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
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Consider in the preparation of the Regional Land Transport Strategy for Taranaki provisions to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases.
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Gather information on greenhouse gas emissions to air in the Taranaki region and maintain an Inventory of greenhouse gas emissions in the region.
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Maintain the Regional Waste Strategy for Taranaki with targets that seek to minimise waste.
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Implement the Sustainable Land Management Programme and the Riparian Management Programme to promote the reforestation of land and retention of soils and increase the Taranaki region's carbon sink.
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Territorial authorities may wish to consider the following methods:
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Include in district plans, provisions to manage the effects of climate change, including the appropriate planning of efficiency in urban development, transportation and other matters.
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Include appropriate provisions in district land transport programmes prepared under the Land Transport Management Act 2003.
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Principal reasons for adopting the objective, policies and methods
In the long term, if unchecked, climate change increases the risk of major irreversible changes to Earth. Given the global nature of the problem, the Government and other members of the international community have set targets and implemented policies and programmes to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (by 2012 the Government aims to have returned nett greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels). Local government too, when exercising functions and powers under the Resource Management Act, has responsibilities for adapting to or preparing for the effects of climate change.
The objective, policies and methods of implementation establish a policy framework for responding to climate change in the Taranaki region.
The methods focus on the preparation of planning documents such as the Regional Waste Management Strategy and Regional Land Transport Strategy and, where appropriate, the inclusion of provisions addressing the adverse effects of climate change. Local government will also explore opportunities for working with the Government in the formulation of its strategic response to climate change.
The policies and methods recognise respective responsibilities for addressing climate change, including related responsibilities for resource and emergency management, provision of local infrastructure and services, and opportunities for local participation, education and action.
They are considered appropriate having regard to their efficiency and effectiveness and their benefits and costs.
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Environmental results anticipated CCH ER I Adoption of measures to avoid, remedy or mitigate the adverse effects of climate change. CCH ER 2 Reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in the Taranaki region in line with goals established under the Communities for Climate Change Protection Programme. |
  Government policies and programmes - climate change Climate change is a global issue that central government is addressing at an international and national level. There are a number of Government policies, programmes and initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to air. They include the development of foundation policies such as the New Zealand Energy Strategy, the National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy, the New Zealand Transport Strategy and the New Zealand Waste Strategy. In addition to these strategies, the Government has emission units awarded to projects that will bring about a net reduction in greenhouse gas emissions; it has instigated Negotiated Greenhouse Agreements with major emitting industries and is considering an emission charges and trading regime. |