Climate change risk framework released

Climate change minister James Shaw has released the framework for assessing climate change risks in New Zealand.

The framework is for the upcoming National Climate Change Risk Assessment (NCCRA) to be published in mid-2020 and will inform climate change adaptation and mitigation opportunities so Aotearoa is resilient and prepared, says Shaw who’s keen to get more Kiwis into EVs to help reduce emissions and limit climate change.

“We are already experiencing the effects of a changing climate such as coastal inundation and increasingly frequent and severe droughts, floods, fires and storms. This framework is an acknowledgement that we must start adapting”, Shaw says.

“The framework will enable a broad range of risks to be compared and evaluated in terms of their nature, severity, and urgency.

“With the release of the framework, we are now progressing work on the first Risk Assessment, to ensure this important work is not delayed whilst we wait for the Zero Carbon Bill to pass.

“This work is critical to set Aotearoa up to be able to respond to climate change as a nation.”

Meanwhile, Shaw has also released New Zealand’s first national guidance for local businesses to voluntarily offset their emissions.

“There is huge appetite in New Zealand to act on climate change and reach net zero carbon dioxide emissions as a country”, he says.

“It is going to take all of us, so I am really happy to announce consistent national guidelines that businesses can use to properly offset their emissions.

“The ambition of many New Zealand businesses to become carbon neutral has led to an increase in demand for voluntary emissions offsets.

“The guidance outlines steps and principles that should be met in order for a voluntary offset to be deemed credible.

“Importantly, the first steps to a credible, voluntary offset approach is to measure your emissions, then reduce them as much as practicable. Only after these steps have been undertaken should your remaining emissions be offset.

The guidance has been designed in collaboration with both offsetting users and providers, including members of the Climate Leaders Coalition.

The aim is to update the guidance and reissue it before December 2020.