Climate Change and Weather

Climate change is a concept which is increasingly featured in city council documents and policy. Regardless of your views on climate change or the reality of climate change, the phrase ‘climate change’ is being used to justify a considerable amount of local government policy, actions, and spending.

This is how Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) describes the situation:

“Climate change poses an unprecedented level of risk to New Zealand’s natural and built environment. Adapting to and mitigating the impacts of climate change are significant challenges and a new priority focus for councils. Leading and championing policy to deal with the impacts of climate change is a key policy priority for LGNZ and its 78 member councils.

As the sphere of government with direct responsibility for environmental planning and regulation, much of the responsibility for adaptation falls to local government. However, councils cannot address these issues by themselves. To be effective, climate adaptation will require a diverse range of actions and policy approaches.

Councils can also play an important role in mitigation by working with their communities to reduce emissions.”

The conclusion of the 2015 Climate Change report by the New Zealand Society of Local Government Managers (SOLGM) states:

“The role of the local government sector into the future could be as a trusted broker of quality information on the projected site specific effects of climate change and to work with others to help communities in their adaptation process. This will involve the transition of communities currently not well adapted to the projected changes and to ensure that future generations are not placed in danger or incur unaffordable costs as a result of decisions made today with respect to the design and location of publicly owned infrastructure.

A collaborative partnership approach with central government will be essential for this vision to be achieved, as it will require a ‘whole of government’ approach in the widest sense.”

Major weather events cause damage to our cities and endangering people within those cities.

Are city councils designing, building, and maintaining infrastructure which will cope well with severe weather events?

[Last updated 25/11/2023]