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A major report is out on how Aotearoa might cope with future climate change challenges. The final report of the Independent Reference Group on climate adaptation was released by the Ministry for the Environment today. According to the Ministry:
“The group considered the urgent challenge of the increasing exposure of New Zealand’s homes and infrastructure to natural processes like floods, erosion and storms. Its report suggests how New Zealand could transition over time to a new system for adapting to these challenges.
The group makes recommendations across three broad areas:
- Firstly, it suggests that New Zealanders need easy access to information about the way natural hazards could impact them, so they can make informed decisions.
- Secondly, it suggests that those who benefit most from investments to reduce the risks from climate change should generally contribute more. However, the group recommends that the Government should invest where there are wider national benefits. It suggests support may be appropriate for particularly vulnerable areas with less ability to pay.
- Thirdly, the group says New Zealanders should be responsible for knowing their risks and making their own decisions, unless there is risk to life. As part of this, the group suggests property values and the cost of ownership such as insurance premiums or mortgages should reflect the changing level of risk, and any financial support after a disaster should not be tied to the value of affected properties. It also says Iwi/hapū/Māori should be empowered and resourced to make local adaptation decisions for whenua Māori and Māori assets.”
More to come
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