The context for our Statement of Intent
There are two major influences on our activities and, therefore, our Statement of Intent - the Government's goals and policy directions and the setting in which we operate. There is a very strong interaction between the environment, society and the economy. The environment is not only the natural world that supports all life, but also the places that we live and the essential underpinning for many sectors of our economy. Any action taken on environmental issues is likely to cut across someone else's business. We must, therefore, always be conscious of the context within which our work is done, including government strategic directions, and how environmental management relates to other elements of New Zealand life.
Strategic context
Key government goals to guide the public sector in achieving sustainable development [Sustainable Development for New Zealand Programme of Action, 2003.]
Strengthen national identity and uphold the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi
Celebrate our identity in the world as people who support and defend freedom and fairness, who enjoy arts, music, movement and sport, and who value our diverse cultural heritage; and resolve at all times to endeavour to uphold the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi.
Grow an inclusive, innovative economy for the benefit of all
Develop an economy that adapts to change, provides opportunities and increases employment, and, while reducing inequalities, increases incomes for all New Zealanders. Focus on the Growth and Innovation Framework to improve productivity and sustainable economic growth.
Maintain trust in government and provide strong social services
Maintain trust in government by working in partnerships with communities, providing strong social services for all, building safe communities and promoting community development, keeping faith with the electorate, working constructively in Parliament and promoting a strong and effective public service.
Improve New Zealanders' skills
Foster education and training to enhance and improve the nation's skills so that all New Zealanders have the best possible future in a changing world. Build on the strengthened industry training and tertiary sectors to ensure that New Zealanders are among the best educated and most skilled people in the world.
Reduce inequalities in health, education, employment and housing
Reduce the inequalities that currently divide our society and offer a good future for all by better co-ordination of strategies across sectors and by supporting and strengthening the capacity of Maori and Pacific Island communities. Ensure that all groups in society are able to participate fully and to enjoy the benefits of improved production.
Protect and enhance the environment
Treasure and nurture our environment with protection for ecosystems so that New Zealand maintains a clean, green environment and builds on our reputation as a world leader in environmental issues. Focus on biodiversity and biosecurity strategies.
Our contribution to government goals
Of the key government goals above, those that most relate to the Ministry for the Environment are to:
- protect and enhance the environment
- grow an inclusive, innovative economy for the benefit of all
- strengthen national identity and uphold the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi.
These goals are reflected in the strategic priorities under which the Ministry has grouped its outcomes, as well as in the way we carry out our work and the results we deliver.
Government policy directions
The Government's Sustainable Development for New Zealand Programme of Action, announced in 2003, sets the scene for much of our current work. Sustainable development is "development which meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs". [Sustainable Development for New Zealand Programme of Action, 2003.] The Government's Sustainable Development Principles for Policy and Decision-Making reinforce the sustainable development context of our activities.
The Growth and Innovation Framework is also important, as it is designed to grow the economy through maximising New Zealand's natural competitive advantages.
Both policy statements recognise the central importance of the environment to the future economic and social wellbeing of New Zealand.
Other government strategies which have a significant influence on our work programmes are:
- The New Zealand Biodiversity Strategy (2000)
- The National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy (2001)
- The New Zealand Waste Strategy (2002).
The international Kyoto Protocol on climate change is now in force. This brings a new intensity to the implementation of the Government's climate change policies and the need to meet New Zealand's international commitments.
The setting in which we operate
Sustainable development challenges governments to think broadly across economic, environmental and cultural objectives. It requires an integrated approach to policy and decision-making. Environmental policy, in particular, is closely connected with economic performance, social wellbeing, and cultural identity in New Zealand. The big environmental issues for the first decade of the 21st century are also economic and public health issues. In carrying out its responsibilities and in working with others, the Ministry needs to be constantly aware of the wider setting within which it works while maintaining a clear focus on protecting and enhancing our environment.
Environment
Our environment, as defined in legislation, includes both the natural world that supports all life and the places where people live, work and play. However, the health of our air, water, land and ecosystems is paramount in environmental management.
New Zealanders want to live in a clean, green and healthy country. Research carried out for the Growth and Innovation Advisory Board in 2004 showed that a large majority of New Zealanders rated the quality of the environment as most important to them. While economic growth was important, it should not be at the expense of core values such as quality of life and quality of the environment.
Surveys also show that New Zealanders consider the state and management of our environment to be good, and better than in other developed countries, though they have concerns about rivers and lakes, marine fisheries and air quality. Many want to know how they can contribute to achieving a clean and healthy environment.
The Ministry's work programme continues to have a strong focus on putting in place the fundamentals of environmental protection. This includes the national environmental standards for air quality and for dioxins and other toxics, and the sustainable water programme of action. We are also involved in cleaning up the legacy of previous practices that were not environmentally sound, such as careless handling of toxic chemicals.
Economy
Most New Zealand export and tourism businesses rely on New Zealand's natural environment. Agriculture and horticulture use more than 50% of our land and rely on other natural resources such as water. International visitors come to this country primarily for the environment - the spectacular landscapes, biodiversity, and opportunities for outdoor recreation. All of these sectors depend implicitly or explicitly on the quality of our natural environment and international perceptions about a clean, safe and healthy environment.
While many businesses depend on our natural environment, they can also have an impact on it. Intensification of rural land use, for example in dairy farming, can pollute land and water. Industry and transport can generate air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Since 1990 there have been substantial increases in carbon dioxide emissions from transport (42%), thermal electricity generation (85%), and manufacturing industries and construction (32%).
The challenge for New Zealand is to facilitate sustainable economic growth while protecting ecosystems and the quality of our environment. Industry itself can play a leading role in promoting and using sustainable practices such as eco-efficiency and extended producer responsibility.
The Ministry for the Environment has a major work programme focused on encouraging sustainable industry. We aim to help businesses think, plan and operate sustainably. Through voluntary agreements such as the Packaging and Clean Streams Accords we are working with industry to reduce their environmental impacts. We are encouraging extended producer responsibility for products through initiatives such as the Tyre Track system for old and unwanted tyres.
Cultural
Clear air, magnificent landscapes, and lazy summer days at the beach or lake, are central to New Zealanders perceptions about themselves and what New Zealand means. Our environment is intertwined with our cultural identity. For Maori, the relationship to the environment as tangata whenua and kaitiaki is hugely significant.
Immigrants to New Zealand bring a different set of cultural values into our society. In some cases their expectations about a 'clean green country' are disappointed by problems such as water pollution or waste, while the assumptions of others about use of natural resources presents challenges for those involved in day-to-day environmental management.
Much of the Ministry's work is intended to protect and enhance New Zealand's environmental inheritance. Maori cultural values in relation to the environment and resource management are embedded in legislation and the Treaty of Waitangi. They need to be respected and recognised in decisions that affect the environment.
Social
Environmental policy has a key role to play in the health and wellbeing of New Zealanders. Clean air and water are vital to people's health. We have seen how, in Christchurch, rises in air pollution caused by fine particles from domestic fires is closely tracked by rises in hospital admissions for respiratory problems such as asthma. New Zealand is seeing, each summer, increasing numbers of warnings at lakes and beaches about the health risks of swimming or recreation that involves contact with the water.
More than 80% of New Zealanders now live in urban centres. Our social wellbeing is linked to the effective functioning of our cities, towns and communities. This depends on good urban design, efficient transport networks, adequate infrastructure for water and sewerage, and appropriate waste and land management. Where cities are growing rapidly, or where there are high visitor numbers but a low population and economic base, it can be a struggle to maintain essential services.
The Ministry's work on sustainable cities, implementation of the Waste Strategy and air quality standards will help ensure the places where we live, work and play are healthy and function well.
Technology and biosecurity
Changes in technology can affect our environment. Sometimes these are positive effects, as industry has become increasingly aware of the impact of its activities and products on the environment. Packaging, for example, is coming under increasing scrutiny as the result of the Packaging Accord signed between central government, local government and industry on 10 August 2004.
New chemicals can be less hazardous to people and the environment than earlier substances developed for that purpose. However, careful consideration of their introduction to New Zealand and their conditions of use is required.
There are also threats to the environment and economy from ongoing biosecurity issues, primarily resulting from increased international trade, and potential risks from the planned introduction of new organisms into this country.
The Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996, for which the Ministry is responsible, empowers the Environmental Risk Management Authority to make decisions about proposals to introduce new hazardous substances or living things to New Zealand. The decision-making process helps New Zealand to avoid the planned introduction of species which may threaten our ecosystems or our economy. Accidental and illegal introductions of new species are managed by other government agencies.
Relationships
As the information above illustrates, environmental issues are closely connected to economic, social and cultural matters. New Zealand's system of environmental management is highly devolved, with day-to-day decision-making and management the responsibility of local government.
The result is that most of the things the Ministry for the Environment becomes involved in cut across someone else's business. This is particularly the case with regional government. Our interests cut across the responsibilities of other government departments such as Transport, Fisheries, Agriculture and Forestry, Economic Development, and Conservation. A sustainable development approach requires collaboration with all of those interests, so that policies and decisions are the best for New Zealand as a whole.
Developing strong relationships and partnerships is the key to managing the issues that cut across someone else's business. One initiative which we are leading is the Chief Executives' Environment Forum, which brings together the key players from central and regional government. Our aim is for this forum to provide strong leadership in areas of mutual interest.
