Letter from Hugh Logan

In his own words, Hugh Logan reflects on the environment sector during his time as Secretary for the Environment.

“During my time at the Ministry we have seen an unprecedented change in public and business attention to environmental sustainability. There is now, thankfully, much stronger recognition of the central role of the environment in the future of this country. I have always been convinced of New Zealanders' attachment to the natural environment but a big change has occurred around recognition of environmental quality. New Zealand’s economy has a biophysical base and any economy that has that base must have protecting quality at its heart – otherwise we are mining the environment – and that is unsustainable.

Because of the international climate change debate, New Zealand’s companies now think about the environment’s role in everyday business. They have recognised that moving to a sustainable future saves them time and money and gives them a competitive advantage in positioning and cost structure.

Reflecting on successes for the environment in the past couple of years I would start with the introduction of an emissions trading system, and infrastructure related policies including New Zealand’s Energy Strategy for New Zealand’s response to climate change.

The second big success, in my opinion, has been the general agreement on the need for a revised framework for waste management through the Waste Minimisation Bill.

Another positive turn for this country is the acceptance of the importance of good urban and environmental planning, and more sustainable and better quality building and housing. For the sake of social cohesion and the health of its citizens, New Zealand cannot afford to go back to the type of developments of the late 80s and 90s. Cheap, quick developments providing minimum insulation and poor indoor quality environments will simply impose costs on our children.

Other important moves in the last year include the development of new important national environmental standards and national policy statements under the Resource Management Act. Also, there has been better environmental reporting. I am proud of the Ministry’s production of Environment New Zealand 2007. We now have a good published suite of environmental indicators provided in an easy to use form. Good reporting and measurement are a cornerstone of sound environmental management.

I am pleased that environmental sustainability is finally being recognised as essential to the future of this country. It is as a consequence of this recognition that the Ministry for the Environment, as the national environment agency, has moved from being on the periphery of government in the 80s and 90s to the centre, and I don’t think this will change in the future. ”

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