Our changing climate

Our changing climate presents challenges to the Murihiku Southland region, but also new opportunities.

Our actions are guided by global and local knowledge, including mātauranga Māori, ensuring the choices we make remain tailored to our unique environment, economy, and communities.

Our region is on a pleasing pathway, with the 2022 measurements indicating that regional emissions have been reduced by 14.8% since 2018.

Key terms

Emissions reductions - our actions to reduce emissions by sources; or enhance removals of greenhouse gases.

Adaptation -the process of adjusting to actual or expected climate variability and its effects.

Regional Climate Change Working Group -The Regional Climate Change Working Group consists of Te Ao Mārama representatives, elected representatives, and key staff, of all councils in the region, and is working collaboratively to ensure we are tackling the issues at a regional level.

Environment Southland Climate Change Sub-committee - The Climate Change sub-committee consists of six councillors as well as a mana whenua representative and reports to the Strategy and Policy Committee on its progress.

Its key objective is to help drive Environment Southland’s action on our changing climate.