Figure 2: Impacts, measures and targets

Outcome 1

New Zealand becomes a successful low-carbon society that is resilient to climate change impacts on its climate, economy and lifestyle.

Impact

Decrease New Zealand's net emissions of greenhouse gases below business as usual levels in a cost effective way

Impact measures

• Trends in greenhouse gas emissions and removals in the annual greenhouse gas inventory.
• Trends in greenhouse gas intensity of the economy by emissions per unit of GDP and emissions per capita.
• Divergence between forecast net position and Kyoto Protocol obligations.

Target

• Actual emissions below 'business as usual' levels, with a widening gap
• Downward trends
• Decreasing liability / increasing asset

Outcome 2

New Zealand's fresh water is well governed and sustainably managed to realise the maximum benefit possible for present and future environmental, cultural, social and economic values.

Impact

Improve quality, flow and availability of fresh water through more effective management frameworks

Impact measures

1. Proportion of water allocated for consumptive purposes that is subject to measurement and reporting.
2. Number of large surface water catchments that have quantified flow regimes in place that set limits.
3. Number of significant catchments that have quantified policy for land and water management that sets surface water quality limits.
4. Number of monitored sites showing maintained or improved water quality.

Target

1. Increasing proportion
2. Increasing number
3. Increasing number
4. Increasing proportion of monitored sites improving

Outcome 3

New Zealand's environmental management systems are strengthened and supported so that they can achieve the greatest overall environmental, economic, social and cultural benefits.

Impact

Improve the resource management framework to manage environmental effects and allocate resources within environmental limits

Impact measures

1. The national environmental standard for air quality (PM10 fine particulate pollution) is complied with by the target dates in the standards.
2. Trends in EPA and local government compliance with resource consent processing times under the RMA 1991.

Target

1. 100% compliance by 2020
2. Upward trend (councils) / 100% (EPA)

Impact

Improve the relationship between the Ministry and Māori by negotiating and implementing fair, durable and fit for purpose deeds of settlement and environmental accords

Impact measures

1. Percentage of Māori partners in deeds of settlement and environmental accords satisfied or very satisfied with Ministry implementation of obligations.
2. Percentage of relevant Ministry obligations under deeds of settlement and environmental accords met.

Target

1. 50% satisfied or very satisfied
2. 100% compliance

Impact

Reduce harm from natural, chemical and biological hazards and from waste through more effective management frameworks

Impact measures

1. Changes in the incident data compiled by the Environmental Protection Authority and enforcement agencies under the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act.
2. Trends in the tonnage of waste disposed of at waste disposal facilities per unit of GDP.

Target

1. Reduced number of incidents
2. Downward trend

Impact

Achieve better solutions to environmental problems by supporting community involvement and action and international cooperation

Impact measures

1. Progress in investigation, remedial planning or remediation of priority contaminated sites in conjunction with regional councils and/or landowners – increasing percentage managed or remediated. (Also contributes to impact above)
2. Level of community involvement in projects funded by the Community Environment Fund.
3. Percentage of Community Environment Fund and Waste Minimisation Fund projects that report full achievement against objectives.

Target

1. Increasing proportion of priority contaminated sites remediated
2. Increasing community involvement
3. 100% of objectives met by 80% of projects