Executive summary
Introduction
The New Zealand Government is committed to playing its part in the global response to climate change. This Fourth National Communication provides a snapshot of New Zealand's progress with implementing the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). This document covers the period from the submission of the Third National Communication in January 2002 through to the end of December 2005. This document also contains New Zealand's Report on the Global Climate Observing System and the Report on Demonstrable Progress under the Kyoto Protocol.
New Zealand's response to climate change has evolved substantially since the Third National Communication was submitted. On 19 December 2002, New Zealand became the 101st nation to ratify the Kyoto Protocol. In 2002, the New Zealand Parliament passed the Climate Change Response Act. This Act established a New Zealand climate change registry and corresponding institutional arrangements in accordance with Kyoto Protocol requirements. Other achievements are detailed throughout this Fourth National Communication.
When the Government introduced its climate change policy package in 2002, it anticipated there would be three reviews of the package not later than 2005, 2007 and 2010. The reviews would be necessary to monitor progress with emissions reductions, assess the effectiveness of policies, and confirm that New Zealand was positioned to meet its commitments. The first of these reviews was commissioned by the Government in mid-2005 and completed by November 2005.
The review concluded that some elements of the Government's 2002 climate change policy package should be modified to better position New Zealand to respond to the longer-term challenges of climate change. A key outcome of the policy review was the announcement by the newly elected Government in December 2005 that the previously announced carbon tax would not proceed. In addition, a suite of future work programmes would be required to inform Government decisions in light of the review and contribute to further development of policies and measures. In that announcement, the Government reaffirmed its commitment to the Kyoto Protocol.
At the time of publication of the Fourth National Communication, the Government's climate change policy is in a phase of transition as the Government considers the suite of work programmes. It is important to note that the policies and measures as well as the projections reported in this document reflect the Government's decision not to proceed with the previously announced carbon tax, but do not reflect any impact from the new work programmes being considered by the Government at the time of publication.
National circumstances
New Zealand consists of two large islands and a number of smaller islands located in the southwest Pacific Ocean between 33° and 55° south latitude. The land area is approximately 27 million hectares, making it similar in size to Japan or the United Kingdom. The land cover is dominated by forest and pastoral land with indigenous forests occupying 6.3 million hectares, planted forest occupying 1.8 million hectares and pastoral land occupying 9 million hectares. Five million hectares of land are protected in parks and reserves. New Zealand's population in 2006 is 4.1 million people.
New Zealand's Government is a parliamentary democracy with an elected House of Representatives. Representation is through a single-house mixed-member proportional system (MMP). The principal functions of Parliament are to enact laws, scrutinise the Government's administration, and approve the Government's allocation of tax income. New Zealand has 86 local authorities that provide government for local and regional interests.
The New Zealand economy has sizeable manufacturing and services sectors complementing a highly efficient export-oriented agricultural sector. Agriculture contributes almost seven percent of New Zealand's gross domestic product. Energy-based industries (including dairy processing, and cement and steel manufacturing), forestry, mining, horticulture and tourism have expanded rapidly over the past two decades. Recent economic growth has been strong, and New Zealand currently has one of the faster growing economies in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions profile is different from that of many other Parties. Nearly 50 percent of New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions is from agriculture. This compares to an average of 12 percent in other Annex 1 Parties. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions in agriculture is a challenge, as many agricultural activities have a direct relationship between output and greenhouse gas emissions. New Zealand scientists are undertaking world-leading research to develop technologies and management practices that reduce methane emissions from ruminant livestock; however, identifying technologies and management practices that achieve reductions in a safe manner, meet all regulatory requirements and are taken up by industry remain significant challenges.
New Zealand also has notably low emissions from thermal electricity production compared to other countries. On average from 1990 to 2004, renewable energy from hydroelectric, geothermal, and biomass sources, and combined heat and power generation comprised almost 75 percent of New Zealand's electricity supply. Around 90 percent of renewable generation in New Zealand was hydroelectric with limited storage potential. New Zealand's hydroelectricity system is therefore susceptible to dry periods. Wind generation capacity in New Zealand started being installed around 1992 and by 2004, 354 gigawatt hours of generation were provided by wind power. The investment intentions of major generators suggest this could increase several fold over the next few years.
Greenhouse gas inventory
The development and publication of an annual inventory of all human-induced emissions and removals of greenhouse gases not controlled by the Montreal Protocol is part of New Zealand's obligations under the UNFCCC (Articles 4.1 and 12) and the Kyoto Protocol (Article 7). Consistent with the reporting guidelines agreed by the Parties to the UNFCCC, New Zealand has developed an inventory system that records emissions and removal of the gases carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs) and sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) from six sectors: energy; industrial processes; solvents; agriculture; land use, land-use change and forestry (LULUCF); and waste. The Climate Change Response Act (2002) names the Ministry for the Environment as New Zealand's inventory agency.
The Ministry for the Environment is responsible for overall development, compilation and submission of the annual greenhouse gas inventory to the UNFCCC. In addition to this overall coordination and quality control role, the Ministry for the Environment produces the estimates of emissions and removals from the LULUCF sector (except planted forests), the waste sector, and the non-carbon dioxide gases from the industrial processes sector (obtained via industry consultants). The Ministry of Economic Development is responsible for the energy sector and carbon dioxide emissions from the industrial processes sector, and the Ministry for Agriculture and Forestry manages the agricultural sector and removals from planted forests in the LULUCF sector. The inventory estimates are underpinned by research and modelling by researchers at New Zealand's Crown Research Institutes and universities.
In the latest inventory submitted in April 2005 (for the inventory year 2003), [The Fourth National Communicationcovers the period from the submission of the 2001Third National Communicationthrough December 2005. While New Zealand is preparing a 2006 inventory report containing emissions data for 2004, the 2006 inventory report was not available for incorporation into theFourth National Communication.] New Zealand's total greenhouse gas emissions in 1990 were equivalent to 61,525 Gg CO2. In 2003, total greenhouse gas emissions were 75,345 Gg CO2 equivalent. This equates to a rise of 13,820 Gg CO2 equivalent or 22.5 percent since 1990 (see Figure ES1). Net removals from the LULUCF sector (including emissions of methane and nitrous oxide) increased from 21,366 Gg CO2 in 1990 to 22,862 Gg CO2 in 2003.
New Zealand's emissions profile is dominated by the agriculture sector and the energy sector (the energy sector as defined in the national inventory includes both stationary and mobile combustion (transport)). The agriculture sector emissions totalled 37,203 Gg CO2 equivalent in 2003 and represented 49.4 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions. Emissions in this sector are now 15.6 percent higher than the 1990 level of 32,194 Gg CO2 equivalent. The increase is attributable to a 9.6 percent increase in methane emissions from enteric fermentation and 29 percent increase in nitrous oxide emissions from agricultural soils. The energy sector produced 32,321 Gg CO2 equivalent in 2003 and represented 42.9 percent of New Zealand's total greenhouse gas emissions. Emissions from the energy sector are now 37.0 percent above the 1990 baseline value of 23,594 Gg CO2 equivalent. The sources contributing most to the increase since 1990 are emissions from road transportation (an increase of 58.4 percent) and public electricity and heat production (an increase of 83.3 percent). The other sectoral components of the inventory are the industrial processes sector (5.3 percent of total greenhouse gas emissions) and the waste sector (2.3 percent of total greenhouse gas emissions).
The period 1990-2003 has seen changes in the relative amounts of the different greenhouse gases emitted. While methane and carbon dioxide equally contributed to New Zealand's emissions in 1990, carbon dioxide is now the major greenhouse gas in New Zealand's emissions profile. This is the result of increased growth in the energy sector, notably transport, relative to the agriculture sector. However, the agriculture sector continues to dominate New Zealand's emissions profile, producing 49.4 percent of total emissions in 2003.
Policies and measures
The Government considers that in order to minimise the risk of climate change to New Zealand, its Pacific neighbours, and other countries, New Zealand needs to participate in the international effort to mitigate climate change. This requires a credible domestic programme to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance sinks. The Government's 2002 climate change policy package included policies and measures focused on the energy, transport, industry, agriculture, waste and forestry sectors as well as cross-sectoral policies and measures. In response to the 2005 review of the policy package, the Government announced that it would not proceed with the carbon tax and associated Negotiated Greenhouse Agreements, and would implement work programmes in each of the key sectors to develop further policies and measures. The Fourth National Communication reports the policies and measures that remained in place as of December 2005, and does not reflect current and planned work on new policies and measures.
Energy policies and measures
The Government has established a whole-of-Government National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy, complemented by sector-specific and energy market policies, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the energy sector.
The Energy Efficiency Conservation Authority was established in 2000 as a Crown entity under the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act. The Authority's function is to encourage, promote and support energy efficiency, energy conservation, and the use of renewable sources of energy. The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act 2000 provides a guiding, coordinating and aspirational framework for the Authority's activities. The six main goals of this strategy include reducing carbon dioxide emissions; minimising local environmental impacts; improved economic productivity; promotion of industry development; improved economic resilience; and improved health and welfare.
The Government initiated a sustainable energy work programme following release of its Sustainable Development Programme of Action in January 2003. In October 2004, the Government released the document Sustainable Energy: Creating a Sustainable Energy System setting out the longer-term challenges for the secure, affordable and sustainable delivery of energy services. At the end of 2005, the Government announced it would develop a National Energy Strategy to provide long-term direction and leadership to put New Zealand firmly on the path to an energy system that supports economic development while being environmentally responsible. The Government also emphasised renewed commitment to promoting energy efficiency and renewable sources of energy. Due to the inter-linkages with climate change policy and other concurrent processes, the development of a National Energy Strategy is a whole-of-Government process.
Transport policies and measures
The New Zealand Transport Strategy defines the Government's vision of an affordable, integrated, safe, responsive and sustainable transport system by 2010. One of its five objectives is to ensure environmental sustainability. This includes encouraging more energy-efficient modes of transport. The National Rail Strategy sets out the Government's rail policy objectives and priorities for action over the next 10 years and outlines the key initiatives to achieve the outcomes. This strategy focuses on growth in two key areas: freight, both bulk and containerised; and urban passenger transport.
Industry policies and measures
When the Government completed the review of the climate change policy package in November 2005, it subsequently decided that a new focus will be required to address industry issues more effectively. As a result, the previously announced carbon tax and associated Negotiated Greenhouse Agreements for eligible industrial emitters will not now be introduced. A work programme will examine alternative measures to the announced carbon tax, including consideration of emissions trading and new, possibly voluntary, arrangements to replace Negotiated Greenhouse Agreements. There are two ongoing voluntary programmes to reduce industrial emissions of fluorinated gases: sulphur hexafluoride, hydrofluorocarbons, and perfluorocarbons.
Agriculture policies and measures
The Government supports the improvement of the agricultural sector's contribution to the national greenhouse gas inventory. This programme recognises the importance of the agricultural sector inventory, the uncertainties surrounding the agricultural industry, the uniqueness of New Zealand's environment and agricultural systems, and the benefit of developing country-specific emission factors in the national inventory.
The Pastoral Greenhouse Gas Research Consortium was established in 2003 and manages and funds research through a partnership between the Government and the agricultural industry. The goals of the jointly agreed agricultural strategy are to:
- identify, establish and develop on-farm technologies to improve production efficiency for ruminants
- identify, establish and develop on-farm technologies for sheep, dairy and beef cattle, and deer which lower methane emissions from New Zealand ruminants and nitrous oxide from grazing animal systems
- exploit commercial opportunities arising from the science and technologies in a global market.
The target is to have safe, cost-effective greenhouse gas abatement technologies which will lower total New Zealand ruminant methane and nitrous oxide emissions by at least 20 percent compared with the "business as usual" emissions level, by the end of the first commitment period (2012).
Waste policies and measures
The Government established a national environmental standard for air quality which requires landfills with a design capacity of over one million tonnes of refuse, and current stock of waste of 200,000 tonnes, to collect and destroy landfill gas. The standard is expected to prevent emissions of around 40,000 tonnes of methane over the first commitment period. The National Waste Minimisation and Management Strategy has also been established to help reduce the volume of waste being produced through better resource use, and design for re-use of products.
Forestry policies and measures
New Zealand's indigenous forests occupy 6.3 million hectares of which 83 percent is owned by the Government. These forests are a considerable reservoir of carbon. Research is underway to provide a greater understanding of the nature of this reservoir.
New Zealand has approximately 1.8 million hectares of planted production forest with radiata pine being the predominant species. In the Government's 2002 climate change policy package, the Government announced that it would retain all sink credits and their associated liabilities in respect of Kyoto production forests (i.e., forest plantings post-1990) for at least the first commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol. The Government would also retain the liability for deforestation of pre-1990 forests up to a cap of 21 Mt CO2 during the first commitment period. The Government is currently considering a work programme on forestry policy options for managing deforestation and encouraging afforestation and reforestation.
As part of the 2002 climate change policy package, the Government developed a Permanent Forest Sinks Initiative. Under this initiative, the Government proposes to devolve an amount of tradable carbon emission units equal to the amount of carbon sequestered in qualifying forests over the Kyoto Protocol's first commitment period (2008-2012). These forests must maintain a continuous canopy cover, although limited timber harvesting is allowed. Obligations under the contract would be registered against land titles and would run with and bind the land. This initiative is being considered under the Climate Change Response Amendment Bill.
The Government also supports afforestation on severely erosion-prone land on the East Coast of the North Island through the East Coast Forestry Project. Landholders are encouraged to tender for Government grants which help fund the cost of establishing and managing forest on erosion-prone land.
Cross-sectoral policies and measures
The policy for energy-intensive businesses aims to assist energy-intensive small and medium enterprises to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through improved energy efficiency.
The Projects to Reduce Emissions programme supports projects that will reduce New Zealand's emissions during the first commitment period. The programme uses a competitive tender to allocate tradable entitlements to Kyoto emission units to successful projects following an additionality and eligibility assessment. This programme has been New Zealand's main incentive for abatement that is additional to business-as-usual across several sectors of the economy. The project portfolio comprises 41 projects selected through two tender rounds and an early projects process, and 11 million emission units [An emission unit is equivalent to one tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent.] have been allocated. Following the review of climate change policies in November 2005, the Government has sought confirmation that there is a need for further cross-sector incentives, and if so what type of intervention is appropriate. A work programme will address this issue. The Government's consideration of future policy in this area will not affect the implementation of projects already undertaken to date under the Projects to Reduce Emissions programme.
Local government policies and measures
The Government is committed to working in partnership with the local government sector to achieve its mitigation and adaptation climate change objectives. The Government's formalised partnership programme with Local Government New Zealand aims to improve awareness, understanding and acceptance of the effects of climate change within the local government sector. A major part of the local government work is conducted in conjunction with the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives Australia/New Zealand through the Communities for Climate ProtectionTM - New Zealand programme. While primarily an enabling framework to assist councils to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, this is also an awareness-raising, capacity-building and monitoring programme.
The Resource Management Act has been amended to reflect the focus on nationally based policies to manage greenhouse gas emissions, rather than reliance on regional controls. The Act also now requires specific consideration to be given to renewable energy and the efficiency of the end use of energy. It is important to note that the Government's decision not to proceed with the announced carbon tax in December 2005 could affect the operation of the amended Resource Management Act. This issue will be addressed by Government officials in the new work programmes currently under development.
Bilateral climate change partnerships
New Zealand has established bilateral climate change partnerships with the United States of America and Australia. The partnerships enhance and accelerate collaboration and practical cooperation on climate change issues.
Projections and the total effect of policies and measures
The projections of greenhouse emissions sources and removals included in this Fourth National Communication conform to the definition of the "with measures" projection. Emissions and removals are projected for the energy, transport, industrial processes, agriculture, waste, and forestry (i.e., land use, land-use change and forestry, or LULUCF) sectors.
For domestic purposes, New Zealand updated its projected emissions and removals of greenhouse gases for the first commitment period (2008-2012) of the Kyoto Protocol in May 2005 (Projected Balance of Units During the First Commitment Period of the Kyoto Protocol). The emissions calculation was consistent with the methodology used for the national inventory of greenhouse gas emissions and removals submitted to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Secretariat in April 2005. The May 2005 projected balance of units report remains the official reference for projections until updated in mid-2006.
However, for the purpose of submitting the best available information for the Fourth National Communication and the Report on Demonstrable Progress under the Kyoto Protocol as of December 2005, officials prepared a provisional update of the May 2005 projections to reflect the policy status following the 2005 review. Therefore, the projections reported in the Fourth National Communication reflect the Government's decision not to proceed with the previously announced carbon tax, but do not reflect any impact from the new work programmes being considered by the Government at the time of publication. The provisional projections reported in this document will be updated in mid-2006.
Given the above caveat, New Zealand's total emissions (excluding net removals from the forestry sector) are projected to rise to 82,431 Gg CO2 equivalent by 2010 and 91,184 Gg CO2 equivalent by 2020. These projections equate to an increase from the 1990 emissions of 20,910 Gg CO2 equivalent (34 percent) in 2010 and 29,664 Gg CO2 equivalent (48 percent) in 2020.
Emissions from the energy (including transport) and industrial processes sectors are projected to rise to 40,556 Gg CO2 equivalent in 2010 and 46,071 Gg CO2 equivalent in 2020, relative to the 1990 level of 26,806 Gg CO2 equivalent. Emissions projections from the energy sector (excluding transport) are higher than reported in the Third National Communication for the 2005-2015 period, reflecting greater expected use of coal in power generation. In 2020, projected emissions are lower than reported in the Third National Communication. This reflects technological improvements that are expected to lead to a greater uptake of wind energy and lower use of coal in power generation. Transport sector emissions are projected to continue to grow rapidly reflecting the general growth of the New Zealand economy.
Emissions from the agriculture sector are also projected to increase over the period to 2020, with an increase to 40,476 Gg CO2 equivalent in 2010 and 43,795 Gg CO2 equivalent in 2020. These values represent increases of 25.7 percent and 36.0 percent over the 32,194 Gg CO2 equivalent reported for 1990. The rate of growth in emissions from the agriculture sector is expected to decline due to the limitation on the increase in animal numbers or change in animal species balance, imposed by a finite potential agricultural land area and increasing competition from urbanisation and forest planting. The projection in this Fourth National Communication reflects the improvements in the inventory and now accounts for increasing animal productivity.
In the waste sector, methane emissions from wastewater are projected to increase with population over the next two decades; however, methane emissions from landfills are expected to be significantly below 1990 levels in first commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol (2008-2012) and continue to decline towards 2020. The landfill methane emission projections use the same methodologies as the national inventory but allow for population increase and increased recovery of landfill gas. Compared to the Third National Communication, this latest projection reflects changes in waste flow composition, reducing waste volumes per person, and increasing recovery rates.
Carbon dioxideremovals by planted forests, emissions from forest harvesting and land conversion to forest land are projected using an assumed afforestation rate of 10,000 hectares per year. The projected annual planting rates of 40,000 and 60,000 hectares in the Third National Communication have not occurred, with new planting rates having fallen steadily since 2000. Net removals from the forestry sector (including methane and nitrous oxide emissions) are projected to decline from 21,366 Gg CO2 removed in 1990 to 9,597Gg CO2 in 2010 and 4,397 Gg CO2 in 2020. It is currently assumed that New Zealand's natural forests are a relatively stable carbon reservoir.
Vulnerability assessment, climate change impacts and adaptation measures
A low population density and related long-distance infrastructure, long coastline and varied geomorphology, and an economy reliant on the primary production sector make New Zealand vulnerable to climate hazards. Research and dissemination of findings on the impacts of climate change, vulnerability and adaptation options remain a high priority for New Zealand.
In May 2004, the Ministry for the Environment coordinated and published a national review, Climate Change Effects and Impacts Assessment. This document serves as a guidance manual for local government and includes extensive guidance and information on impacts assessments. A second major manual, Coastal Hazards and Climate Change, focuses particularly on coastal issues and provides guidance to local government on impacts and adaptation methodologies. Other reports have addressed issues of changes in the risk of flooding and drought.
The broad expected pattern of climate change effects in New Zealand is:
- increased temperatures (with greater increases in the winter season, and in the north of New Zealand)
- decreased frost risk but increased risk of very high temperatures
- stronger west-east rainfall gradient (wetter in the west and drier in the east)
- increased westerly winds
- increased frequency of extreme (heavy) daily rainfalls
- increased sea level.
The Government's approach to adaptation policy consists of a hierarchical set of legislation, guidance material on impacts assessment and the scoping of adaptation options, case studies, and underpinning information material. Current priorities in the climate change area are:
- dissemination of existing knowledge to end-users and stakeholders across central and local government and the private sector to support mainstreaming of adaptation into sector-specific assessment and decision-making processes
- economic assessments of the costs associated with climate change impacts and adaptation and residual costs
- improved climate modelling, particularly of water resources and extreme events including floods and droughts, at a range of scales.
Under the New Zealand approach to the management of natural resources and the risks from natural hazards, most concrete actions to address and minimise effects of climate change fall under the authority of local government (city, district and regional councils). Planning to reduce the adverse effects of natural hazards is particularly important at the local government level because of the local effects the hazards or resources usually have, which may require locally distinct management and adaptation methods. Legislation including the Resource Management Act (1991), Civil Defence Emergency Management Act 2002 and the Local Government Act 2002 establish and support the responsibilities of local authorities for avoiding, minimising, and mitigating the costs and effects of natural hazards and managing natural resources.
Financial resources and transfer of technology
The Global Environment Facility is the international organisation entrusted with responsibility for operating the financial mechanism of the UNFCCC. New Zealand contributed NZ$12.13 million to the third replenishment of the Global Environment Facility (GEF3), which covers the years 2002 to 2006. In 2001, New Zealand joined with several other countries in a Political Declaration on Financial Support for Developing Countries. New Zealand's share of this voluntary commitment was assessed as NZ$5 million per annum from 2005.
New Zealand is particularly focused on helping to meet the concerns and needs of Pacific Island countries with financial resources and technology transfer to enable developing country Parties to implement the provisions of the UNFCCC, and for adaptation assistance. This is carried out primarily through the work of the New Zealand Agency for International Development (established in 2002) and also by contributing through various Global Climate Observing System-related initiatives in the Pacific region; for example, supporting initiatives to restore and upgrade the regional upper-air networks, produce a Pacific regional climate bulletin, recover historical climate data, and assist with capacity building in Pacific Island hydrological and meteorological services.
At the time of reporting this Fourth National Communication, the New Zealand Agency for International Development's environment policy is under preparation. In its current form, the draft policy recognises the significance of climate change for poverty elimination, particularly in the small island developing states of the Pacific region, and it stresses the importance of assisting with adaptation. The environment policy will also guide future engagement and funding allocations. In the interim, the New Zealand Agency for International Development is assisting Pacific regional agencies in their development of regional policy, strategies, and partnership initiatives concerning climate change. Principal among these is the review and refinement of the Pacific Framework for Climate Change.
The transfer of environmentally sound technologies is largely undertaken by the private sector. The New Zealand Government has a role in facilitating technology development in New Zealand, including through the Technology for New Zealand initiative and other technology-related initiatives such as Research for Industry, and Grants for Private Sector Research and Development.
Research and systematic observations
New Zealand has continued to promote and collaborate in research and systematic observations, as required by Articles 4 and 5 of the UNFCCC. Estimated central Government expenditure on climate change-related research and systematic observations for the 2003/04 financial year is NZ$31.9 million. This represents an increase of NZ$10.9 million over the amount reported in the Third National Communication. This expenditure was complemented by an estimated NZ$0.1 million expenditure by regional government, and NZ$1.2 million by the private sector.
New Zealand is making a substantial input to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), by supporting one scientist as a member of the IPCC Bureau and providing convening lead authors for two chapters, and lead and contributing authors and review editors for several more chapters. New Zealand Government officials have participated in planning and other meetings related to the Group on Earth Observations and the Global Climate Observing System. The Government contracted the Meteorological Service of New Zealand to provide some assistance to a number of Pacific Island nations with their weather and climate observing systems.
The New Zealand Government operates a balanced portfolio of research that aims to address core national needs, to support areas of national research excellence, and to maintain and develop international linkages that ensure collaboration with international research programmes and the contribution to, and rapid uptake of, emerging new global technologies.
The current portfolio of climate change research has grown out of the work of the National Science Strategy Committee for Climate Change commissioned in 1991. In 2003, the Science Strategy Committee was disestablished and the responsibility for reviewing the strategy was transferred to the Ministry for the Environment. Additional input to strategic research directions comes from the Royal Society of New Zealand's Climate Committee.
The Government's Foundation for Research, Science and Technology is the dominant channel for central Government funding of strategic research and has the main responsibility for funding climate change research from public investment.Domestically, the Ministry for the Environment disseminates research findings on climate change, mitigation options and adaptation processes and methodologies. There is also direct funding of research in some climate change areas by core Government departments to meet operational and policy development needs and some research by local government to help develop community or regional policies. In the agricultural sector, the Government has joined with the private sector to form the Pastoral Greenhouse Gas Research Consortium to jointly fund research into reducing agricultural methane and nitrous oxide emissions.
Internationally, New Zealand exchanges data and information with other countries in line with the policies of the World Meteorological Organization to expand an archive of systematic atmospheric, oceanic and terrestrial observations based on the monitoring activities described in the First, Second and Third National Communications.
New Zealand established a climate change partnership with the United States to enhance dialogue and practical cooperation on climate change issues in 2002. A climate change partnership between New Zealand and Australia was announced in 2003. New Zealand is a member of the International Energy Agency and the International Partnership for the Hydrogen Economy and has observer status at the Carbon Sequestration Leadership Forum.
Education, training and public participation
In 2003, the Government agreed to a three-phase public awareness and education programme called "4 Million Careful Owners" to improve New Zealanders' understanding of the issues relating to climate change and initiate changes in behaviours that would assist in the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. This decision followed extensive research that revealed a strong demand for greater public information and education about climate change and the issues involved. It was also clear from the research that New Zealanders wanted practical advice on what they could do to help reduce the effects of climate change.
The campaign has centred on one core brand, "4 Million Careful Owners", which comprises elements of inclusiveness, community, collective response and pride. The brand was specifically developed to have a life beyond the campaign and to be applicable for a range of environmental public education initiatives in the future. The campaign also features the call to action of "your country needs you," featuring New Zealanders telling their own stories and actions people can take to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
As reported in the Third National Communication, a first round of public consultation on New Zealand's ratification of the Kyoto Protocol and domestic climate change policy options was undertaken in 2001. A second round of public consultation on New Zealand's ratification and more detailed domestic policy options for meeting its Kyoto Protocol emission-reduction target was undertaken in May 2002. Input from the second consultation was used in the formation of the confirmed policy package to address climate change announced in October 2002. As in the first round of consultation, this second round involved the wide distribution of consultation documents followed by nationwide meetings with the public, local government representatives, business and special interest groups, and hui with Māori. New Zealand school children were again involved in the consultation process with consultation kits sent to schools across the country. Following the 2005 review of climate change policy, a further series of consultation meetings was organised in early 2006 to discuss the outcome of the review. At the time of this publication, the Government anticipates further public consultation on climate change policy related to the work programmes currently under consideration.
A wide range of publications has been produced since the Third National Communication in 2001. These publications have included general information sheets on how to take action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, booklets to help inform local governments on how they can help prepare communities for climate change, case studies on projects people are undertaking in the community to reduce emissions, and publications explaining specific policy areas. A large number of climate change-related seminars and workshops have been held since the Third National Communication. In addition, the Communities for Climate Protection - New ZealandTM programme provides a strategic framework which assists councils and their communities to take action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
