Delivering outcomes

Through the Ministry's Talk Environment roadshows and other consultation we asked stakeholders and they told us what they expected us to do.

We need to provide leadership, work with partners in central and local government, industry and the community, and make things happen.

We need to do this because our use of natural and biological resources underpins the economy, our quality of life and our national identity.

Everyone is affected by and affects the environment. Good governance is required to achieve the environment New Zealanders expect and deserve.

The Ministry is the national agency tasked with delivering both government's and new Zealand's desired environmental outcomes.

Our environment is important because:

• people's health and quality of life are affected by poor air and water quality
• water resources are essential to New Zealand's economy, and are also part of our natural heritage, our recreational activities, and have practical and spiritual value for Maori
• our agricultural, horticultural and tourist industries rely heavily on the quality of our soils and native forests
• we need to 'turn the tide' on the decline of our biodiversity. We want New Zealand to be a place of richness and diversity rather than being a result of 'the past'.

Responses from central government agencies concerned with the monitoring of achievements and systems will be positive.

The Chief Executive's Environment Forum, which brings together key players from central and regional government, will be seen to provide strong environmental leadership in areas of mutual interest.

We will also know we have been successful when:

• the nationwide air quality meets national standards
• the water quality in lowland areas begins to improve
• nationally important biodiversity on private land begins to improve.

It is important that there is one national co-ordination point to facilitate, share ideas and address major environmental problems.

The Ministry for the Environment is resourced to assume this role. It has the ability to be proactive and well informed.

In providing this contact, central government can draw on resources and systems with one end result in mind.

Clear messages from stakeholder groups identified that:

• the Ministry should lead the work needed to get an integrated approach to all matters of environmental importance across government, local government and the community
• local government, community groups, professional organisations and business want to work in partnership with the Ministry to achieve these goals, management standards and their practical application in the community
• there is an ongoing need to fix processes and improve capability within communities.

We will be recognised as a Ministry that works well with others.

Initiatives and best practice guidelines will be developed in collaboration with the community.

There will be an active and effective relationship management strategy in place with all key stakeholders.

Initiatives and best practice guidelines are being used with tangible results.

As part of the Ministry's Talk Environment roadshows we asked stakeholders what they expect from the Resource Management Act (1991), Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act (1996), and other environmental legislation.

They expect the Resource Management Act and the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act to improve the quality of decisions and processes and to provide greater certainty. They expect us to reduce delays and costs, without compromising good environmental outcomes or sacrificing public participation.

There are real improvements, for example:

• the backlog of cases in the Environment Court will be further reduced and all cases will be heard within six months
• there will be improved monitoring of conditions placed on hazardous substance use, import and manufacture, and reduced risks faced by industry and the community
• stakeholders will recognise that issues have been addressed.

The sustainable development approach helps us find solutions that provide the best outcomes for the environment, the economy and society.

Purchase decisions in the market are increasingly being driven on the basis of such things as consumer preference, and the requirement on industry to demonstrate the sustainability of products and services.

The Government is committed to sustainable development through the Sustainable Development Programme of Action.

Government can work more efficiently when working together to deliver whole of government policies.

Promoting sustainable purchase and usage practices makes economic sense, gives positive leadership which will encourage initiatives by others and is good for the environment.

We want to ensure that as we promote sustainability to New Zealand industry that we are also doing so (and seen to be doing so) within central government.

We want to minimise energy use, materials use and the amount of waste sent to landfill; to buy products which are better for the environment; and to report on progress.

The agencies we are working with have:

• improved procurement strategies
• a reduced environmental impact
• improved reporting methods
• policies that meet sustainable development principles.

Stakeholders recognise that the environment is important to the New Zealand economy for existing primary production, manufacturing and new industries such as tourism and the film industry.

Industry recognises that to be internationally competitive and profitable, its future growth should be based on encouraging innovative and sustainable use of our natural and physical resources.

Sustainable development is a practical way forward for New Zealand that will build on its competitive and commercial strengths while maintaining the environment for future generations to use and enjoy.

Sustainable development will only be achieved with sustainable industry at its base. Industry itself is leading sustainable development practices through initiatives such as cleaner production, environmental reporting, and voluntary agreements. However, a sustainable industry base requires a critical mass of industry thinking, planning and operating sustainably.

To do this industry needs an operating framework that rewards sustainable practices, provides the incentives to make a change towards sustainability and the information and tools to make it happen.

The industries we work with have the following characteristics:

• anticipate economic, environmental and social trends to minimise risk and take opportunities to improve comparative advantage
• improve economic, environmental and social performance
• use natural resources efficiently
• understand that today's competitive factors may not be tomorrow's
• understand their impacts across business and products lifecycles
• operate beyond traditional and market compliance boundaries

Our society depends on energy. Moving towards a sustainable energy future will reduce household and industry energy costs, will improve people's quality of life and health, and will reduce the environmental effects associated with energy generation, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

To meet our international responsibilities we need to move to best practice in managing energy and emissions to manage the risks and capitalise on the opportunities gained from climate change responses.

As a good global citizen, we need to contribute to the global actions to avert the dangerous effects of climate change and to protect New Zealand's interests.

To ensure that low-cost emission reductions are secured early to avoid the risk and cost of exposure to the price of a large greenhouse gas profile.

There is broad acceptance of the adjustment costs of climate change policies and business opportunities, especially knowledge economy gains, have materialised from developing a low carbon and more energy efficient economy.

A climate change services industry has developed domestically and provides export receipts.

Because of the lags in the climate system, anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions to date have already committed the Earth to a certain amount of climate change, even if emissions were immediately 'frozen' at current levels.

Consultations have indicated a demand for information and tools on the impacts of and adaptation to climate changes.

Regardless of actions taken to mitigate climate change, New Zealand will still need to take actions to adapt to the physical impacts (positive and negative) of climate change on, for example, water resources, agricultural and forestry production and infrastructure such as roading and bridges.

To enable sectors and communities to manage the effects of climate change on infrastructure, settlements and economic activity through more informed public and private decisions.

When considering 'climate change' issues becomes standard practice in the decision making processes of central and local government, and the private sector (including the primary production sectors).

Climate change impacts are factored into agency, individual and community decisions and hazards and risks are reduced.

One of government's strategies is to maintain a strong public service which provides leadership and works well with others which stimulates growth and innovation.

From our assessment of the Ministry's current capability we have identified an ongoing need to improve our performance to fulfil growing responsibilities.

To achieve the outcomes identified in this Statement of Intent, we need to continue to develop leadership and management capability.

In addition to reinforcement of senior leadership we will continually develop staff at all levels to ensure we have the right combination of the relevant skills, expertise and enthusiasm.

To enhance our capability we will regularly improve our resources and systems to ensure we can meet future requirements.

From both internal and external recognition of our performance.

We are invited to participate in a range of initiatives based on our achievements.

The Ministry is viewed as a good place to work, which will create demand from high calibre job applicants.

We are recognised both internally and externally as high performers and an organisation that makes things happen.