FAQ

• KDC’s Long Term Plan sets the Council’s strategic direction and work program for the next three years. 

• KDC recently developed its Long Term Plan back in 2021, to govern its strategic direction from 2021 to 2031. This Long Term Plan provided for significant funding and support for climate mitigation and adaptation work. But now the Council is revisiting its Long Term Plan, and has re-opened consultation on a new plan. 

• The Council has indicated in its new proposed plan that its preferred option for “no dedicated work program or budget towards climate adaptation, climate action, or climate resilience”. This is the option the Council has already included in its draft budget. 

• This follows decisions already made by the Council to cut funding for all of its climate programs, without community consultation. 

• It’s critical that there is a strong community voice against the Council’s climate cuts, which is why we are encouraging as many community members as possible to submit feedback to the Council in support of OPTION 3 - Planning for climate adaptation and mitigation.

Climate change policy at the local government level is essential for several reasons:

1. Direct Impact: Local communities are directly affected by the consequences of climate change, such as extreme weather events, sea-level rise, and changes in temperature patterns. Therefore, local governments must develop policies to adapt to these changes and mitigate their impacts.

2. Emissions Reduction: Local governments can play a significant role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions within their jurisdiction. By implementing policies that promote renewable energy, energy efficiency, sustainable transportation, waste reduction, and other measures, they can contribute to global efforts to combat climate change.

3. Resilience and Adaptation: Climate change poses risks to infrastructure, public health, natural resources, and local economies. Local governments need policies to build resilience and adapt to these risks, such as by incorporating climate considerations into land use planning, infrastructure development, and emergency preparedness.

4. Leadership and Innovation: Local governments often serve as laboratories for innovation and can lead by example in implementing climate-friendly policies and practices. By doing so, they can inspire other jurisdictions to take similar actions and contribute to broader climate action efforts.

5. Community Engagement: Local governments are closer to their constituents and can engage communities in climate action efforts more effectively. By involving residents, businesses, and community organizations in the development and implementation of climate policies, local governments can build broader support for climate action and foster a sense of ownership and responsibility among stakeholders.

6. Economic Opportunities: Climate action can also present economic opportunities for local communities, such as job creation in renewable energy industries, energy-efficient building retrofits, and green infrastructure development. By adopting climate-friendly policies, local governments can stimulate economic growth and enhance the long-term sustainability of their communities.

Overall, climate change policy at the local government level is crucial for protecting communities, reducing emissions, building resilience, fostering innovation, engaging stakeholders, and seizing economic opportunities in the transition to a low-carbon future.

• We need to trust that KDC is really thinking about our communities’ longer term wellbeing and resilience in their decisions. 

• We need to know that staff and our elected representatives are considering the effects of climate change in the right ways that don’t put future communities and ratepayers at risk. 

• We want our assurance that KDC’s information is based on information that comes from science and decades of evidence, not on climate denial / misinformation / misinformed opinions. 

• We also don’t want staff and elected representatives to overly weigh risks or climate impacts in a situation where it’s not called for. 

• A policy would make sure the right kinds of information is considered at the right time and to the right degree.

Local government actually has the main role to play in local decisions on how to prepare for and respond to natural hazards and the effects of a changing climate. This is because KDC is responsible for:

• our current and future wellbeing 

• our infrastructure like roads, wastewater treatment and flood management and drainage schemes

• the kinds of activities we can undertake on the land and around water (through District Plan and resource consents) 

• Emergency event planning and response

While central government might support or lead the way with legislation, it is up to councils like KDC to put that into action at a local level. 

Central government has made it clear that it’s up to councils to play their part in reducing emissions. (National emissions reduction plan) 

A lot of the climate work proposed is about prudent planning and being proactive so that we don’t get stuck down a path that’s really expensive to ratepayers. It’s an investment towards future-proofing our places and services.

If we only ever react to events like Cyclone Gabrielle, we can get stuck down a very expensive path. We need to make some decisions now as a community to keep our options open and stay adaptable. 

• Is our infrastructure in the best places or designed to be resilient to increasing flooding or erosion? 

• What will we do as our coastline erodes away our reserves, important cultural or heritage sites, or even our properties and homes? 

Now is the time to plan for the long term. 

Option 3 would cost 11.55 per household per year - but it is not just a "cost" - it is best thought of as an investment. 

By having climate policy and programmes in place, it means that KDC is eligible to receive funding from central and regional governments to further improve the resilience of the district. Therefore, ratepayers actually receive a return on their investment of $11.55 per year per household because that money will open up more funding for the district.

• A policy to set standards on how KDC considers climate change in its decisions. 

• A centralised home for climate change work, with dedicated staff, to link across different parts of KDC and make sure the work really happens.

A centralised hub for climate change work within the KDC, can be instrumental in driving effective and coordinated action to address climate change.

Here's how such a centralized home could operate and its potential benefits:

• Dedicated Staff and Expertise: The hub would house dedicated staff with expertise in various aspects of climate change, including mitigation, adaptation, resilience planning, community engagement, and policy development. These staff members could include climate scientists, urban planners, policy analysts, environmental engineers, and community outreach specialists.

• Coordination Across Departments: One of the key functions of the centralised hub would be to facilitate coordination and collaboration across different departments and agencies within the local government. This would ensure that climate change considerations are integrated into various aspects of municipal operations, including transportation, energy, land use planning, waste management, public health, and emergency services.

• Strategic Planning and Implementation: The hub would be responsible for developing comprehensive climate action plans and strategies tailored to the specific needs and priorities of the community. These plans would outline specific goals, targets, and actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance resilience, and promote sustainability. The hub would also oversee the implementation of these plans, tracking progress, and adjusting strategies as needed.

• Stakeholder Engagement: The centralised hub would serve as a focal point for engaging stakeholders, including residents, businesses, community organizations, academic institutions, and other levels of government. By fostering meaningful partnerships and dialogue, the hub would ensure that climate action efforts are inclusive, transparent, and responsive to the needs and aspirations of the community.

• Data Collection and Analysis: The hub would gather and analyze data on climate change impacts, vulnerabilities, and trends at the local level. This information would inform decision-making processes and help prioritize actions to address the most pressing challenges. The hub could also serve as a repository for best practices, case studies, and lessons learned from other jurisdictions.

• Capacity Building and Training: The centralized hub would provide training and capacity-building opportunities for municipal staff and community members to enhance their understanding of climate change issues and build their skills in implementing climate-friendly practices. This could include workshops, webinars, technical assistance, and resource materials.

• Public Awareness and Education: The hub would lead efforts to raise public awareness about climate change and the importance of taking action at the local level. This could involve educational campaigns, outreach events, school programs, and interactive online platforms to engage residents and inspire behavior change.

By serving as a central point of coordination, expertise, and action, a dedicated hub for climate change work within the local government can ensure that efforts to address climate change are strategic, effective, and sustainable over the long term.

• Planning with communities on how to prepare for and respond to flooding, coastal erosion, coastal flooding. 

• MORE Transparency on how KDC reports back to the community on their progress

• Reinstate the Ruawai Adaptive Pathways pilot and then rollout across the Kaipara District. 

• A plan to reduce emissions as a Council and to support communities and local businesses in their sustainability and emissions reduction opportunities.

• Measuring and reporting on an emissions footprint to ensure accountability