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Regional Climate Change Strategy for Murihiku Southland

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.

The first priority for this group has been developing the Regional Climate Change Strategy (Phase One).

The strategy signals a commitment by Southland local government agencies and Te Ao Mārama to a cohesive, regional response to protect our communities’ environmental, economic, cultural, and social wellbeing from the effects of a changing climate. The Strategy will enable us to work together efficiently and effectively, optimising the use of resources and expertise for the benefit of all ratepayers towards a resilient future for our region

Environment Southland co-ordinated public feedback on the proposed Strategy on behalf of all the agencies involved, alongside their Long-Term Plan consultation process from February to May 2024.

The consultation questions asked whether people agree with the aspirations in the proposed Strategy, if they support Southland becoming a net zero region by 2050 or earlier, and what local climate change impacts they are most concerned about.

The key themes that arose from the submissions and hearings are summarised below:

  • Levels of support for progressing a collaborative climate change strategy –support and opposition, but overall support for a collaborative approach.
  • Principles – more consideration of equity requested.
  • Aspirations – some in favour and some opposed to Southland becoming a net zero region by 2050, some suggestions for refinements of aspirations.
  • Framework for Action – councils need to take action, however there are concerns about costs to ratepayers.
  • Other matters raised – need for precautionary approach, transparency, consideration of nature-based solutions, gravel, accuracy of regional emissions graph.

Read the adopted strategy here.

A copy of the submissions decisions can be found here.

This work provides key information for the development of each council’s Long-term Plans, helping to enable Murihiku Southland’s long-term response to climate change.

Ngāi Tahu

Gore District Council

Invercargill City Council

Southland District Council

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