Auckland Council has released for consultation its draft Action Framework on Climate Change (Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri) (Framework). The draft Framework sets out 11 key moves and a range of short and long term actions with the goal of delivering a dramatic reduction in emissions and increased resilience to climate change. The Framework will have wide ranging impacts on our communities and how we do business. The Council has asked for comments on the Framework by 9 August 2019.
The Framework is underpinned by a Climate Change Risk Assessment, a number of technical reports completed earlier this year which assess the impacts of climate change on Auckland’s people, environment and infrastructure.
The Framework seeks to reduce the impacts of a changing climate (such as sea level rise and flooding) and reducing emissions that cause climate change (from transportation and energy generation).
Each key move has an area of focus, which contains a series of actions. Some of the key moves and proposed actions are:
- Enhance ecosystem services and connectivity – optimise and prioritise blue-green networks; establish a voluntary ecosystem marketplace; apply circular economic principles to land use and land use changes.
- Make development and infrastructure climate-compatible – accelerate the uptake of sustainable design and construction; build climate resilience and health benefits into all transport projects; undertake climate compatibility assessments for all new infrastructure; plan for a quality compact urban form; identify and deliver alternative water supply options; establish an integrated circular water management framework; ensure planning controls reflect climate risk.
- Shift to decentralised renewable energy – develop and deliver decentralised local and regional renewable energy solutions; use publicly-owned property to foster innovation in renewable energy development; deliver Auckland’s hydrogen pilot project; establish shore power at Ports of Auckland to reduce emissions from ships.
- Transform existing buildings and places – deliver targeted commercial, industrial and residential building retrofit schemes; increase the utility of new and existing roofs and walls; establish and rapidly scale low carbon, resilient precincts.
- Deliver clean, efficient and accessible mobility options – strongly encourage large scale uptake of zero and low emission vehicles; rapidly increase the frequency and affordability of public transport; assess a range of road pricing schemes where charges vary by zones and vehicle emission ratings; improve the efficiency of freight systems.
- Enable a just transition to zero carbon, climate resilient economy – establish a climate innovation system; accelerate business transition to zero carbon; leverage public sector and large business supply chains to deliver on climate outcomes; accelerate the transition from waste management to resource recovery and reuse; embed circular principles into Auckland’s economic development.
- Grow a low-carbon, resilient food system – implement kerbside food scraps collection; support primary industries and small businesses to increase food security; protect and enhance elite soils; reduce wastage; establish a cross-sector sustainable food policy.
Once adopted the Framework will be delivered in stages with urgent actions and pilot projects in a transition phase 2019-2023, an acceleration phase 2023-2030, and transformation 2030-2050. The Framework is to be a living document and updated as new information, ideas and initiatives are available.
Due to the impact of climate change on our physical environment, and the major changes to our economy and way of life to respond to it, it is important that key stakeholders consider and input into the draft Framework.
Please contact us if you have any questions on the Framework or if you would like assistance in preparing feedback to Auckland Council.
