Whakatāne District Council formally adopted its Climate Change Strategy and Action Plans, in a Strategy and Policy Committee meeting last week.
Following consultation in August, the draft documents were updated to reflect the feedback received, including introducing a target for reducing biogenic methane (produced from plant and animal sources). Committee Chairperson, Councillor Nándor Tánczos, says he was pleased with the number and quality of submissions, and that he is thankful to the many people who had clearly taken the time to provide valuable and thorough feedback.
“Most of the submissions were positive and our community clearly understands the need to get on with it. Many people reinforced the importance of setting ambitious targets,” says Councillor Tánczos.
“There was also a strong call for Council to be a leader on climate change, while recognising that it will take a community-wide approach to have a real impact.”
One of the purposes of the strategy is to provide a framework for collaboration between Whakatāne District Council and other organisations. The strategy also includes a clear vision outlining the Council’s role as both a leader and supporter of effective action on both reducing emissions, and responding to the impacts of climate change. There are six accompanying action plans, and several identify specific long- and short-term targets and deliverables.
Councillor Tánczos explains that this work forms part of the climate change journey for Whakatāne District Council, and there will be continual updates and adjustments as understanding and knowledge grows.
“The strategy and action plans support the principles that were adopted last year, ensuring we have a robust basis for all decision-making and actions within Council,” he says. “Whakatāne is becoming a bit of a leader in this space, and we have had positive feedback from a number of other councils and climate change experts that reinforces how significant this milestone is.”
The main concern raised by submitters was about what is achievable for the Council and what it might cost. However, when directly asked about the financial commitment, over half of the respondents said that the Council should invest now in an effort to achieve the emission reduction targets, which needs to be a priority. This supports economic analyses that suggest immediate investment also saves money in the long run.
Both elected members and climate change project staff members have called for other agencies to create similar plans and goals, as climate change issues cannot be solved by one organisation alone. Councillor Tánczos encourages other councils and organisations to develop a clear plan for what they intend to do themselves.
“Climate change is a global issue with huge implications for us locally. It can only be addressed as a team - people and organisations working together,” he says. “We welcome anyone who is interested to get in touch if they want more information or help – we are more than happy to share our learnings from this process.”
Quarterly updates on the progress of actions in the action plans will be reported to Strategy and Policy Committee, as well as annual updates on progress towards the targets set out in the strategy. The Council’s Annual Report will also provide an update on the climate change project.