The Strategy and Policy Committee approved the draft Climate Change Strategy and Action Plans for community consultation at a meeting held this week.
Following the adoption of a set of climate change principles in 2019, the strategy and action plans are designed to set a clear vision and targets for Whakatāne District Council. This will ensure a strategic approach to climate change is taken by the organisation, and also across the wider district.
Strategy and Policy Committee Chair, Nándor Tánczos, says the draft documents are based on international and national guidelines, as well as feedback already received from local communities.
Previous consultation identified the community's aspirations for the Council to show leadership in both mitigation (reducing greenhouse gas emissions) and adaptation (increasing our resilience to a changing climate).
"The creation of a strategy and action plans will ensure that climate change is considered in all aspects of decision-making and subsequent work," he says. "The draft documents include a robust vision and cover actions relating to leadership, transport, energy, water, waste and land use – basically all facets of local government and their impact on our communities."
Feedback on the draft strategy and action plans will be welcomed during August via a range of channels, including the Council's new online engagement platform, koreromai.whakatane.govt.nz.
Councillor Tánczos says it is really important to hear a youth perspective in particular, and events are planned throughout the consultation period to capture their thoughts.
"Climate change will have the most impact on future generations, so it’s essential we have input from rangitahi throughout the process," he explains. "It's also about taking our obligations to young people and future generations seriously."
Feedback received will be collated and incorporated into the final strategy and action plans, which will be included for adoption at a Strategy and Policy Committee meeting in September.
Once adopted, the strategy and action plans will be embedded across all Council processes, including the Long Term Plan 2021-31.