The Star: February 25, 2021

since Environment Canterbury
a climate-change emergency
Environment
Canterbury Chair
Jenny Hughey
and enhance that work.
fleet hybrid or long-range electric
ALL GOING That work TO included plan, today setting will or by attract 2022. funding Carbon emissions from other from
mark up a milestone climate-change for the integration elected sources, air travel enabling across the us to organisation deliver
’s members programme of the in Canterbury the Long-term Plan more are offset – including via our jobs own that biodiversity support
programmes. Covid-19 recovery and a
Regional 2018-28, Council, ensuring with climate their change draft
Long-Term was actively Plan considered 2021-31 adopted across better According public transport to a Madworld network. report
for public workstreams, consultation. increasing visibility in The 2019, council our gross papers emissions show that were
From of the March science 8 and we will what be we asking know council 2253 tonnes would of like carbon the community
(CO2) to consider equivalent, two compared options for with
dioxide
for your about feedback the impact on of the climate activity
proposed change in on the Canterbury, plan, and and we really
on need the to issue hear with from iwi you. and regional equivalent As presented, through option our 1 efficiency repre-
liaising consultation. removals of 7883 tonnes of CO2-
Long partners, Term other Plans, local updated authorities every
and three central years, government. outline a council’s about across $46m 2700 more hectares. than this year
sents efforts work and costing from forestry $246.54m planting –
commitment
As an organisation,
to the community,
we have
– and
The
an
changing
average rates
climate
increase
will pose
also made significant progress in many risks to life and livelihood
detailing the work the council intends
to do over a 10-year period, property.
in year one of $136 per rateable
addressing our own greenhousegas
emissions, with our
we have seen how occasional,
in Canterbury. In recent years
and
Christchurch
importantly,
building
how it will
receiving
be
a but
That
extreme,
would deliver
weather
all
events
statutorily
required work, and provision to
have
paid for (our budget).
t “market-leading” energy efficiency had huge effects on residents and
Council rating of papers 5.0 out for of today’s 6 in the year accelerate infrastructure key projects, around the including South
meeting to February show the on the council National is considering
Australian how it Built can Environment
step-change ment’s The new driest Essential parts of Freshwater our region,
public Island. transport and the Govern-
environmental Rating System outcomes, New Zealand. partly package. along the $143m Marlborough of that would coast and be
funded The by building’s increased features regional include rate-funded, across much with of the the Canterbury remainder
council 184 solar rates. panels which can made Plains, up are of Government expected to get grants even
There generate has more been than considerable 55,000 and drier. council North-westerly user-pays storms charges. are
robust kilowatt discussion hours of about electricity how far per predicted As presented, to become option more 2 represents
with work torrential costing alpine $240.19m rainstorms –
intense,
and year. how fast we can reasonably
p expect There to drive has been our work. a 26% reduction about turning $40m our more braided than rivers this into year
People’s per staff ability member to pay in emissions has been – and roaring an average rapids, fuelling increase landslides in year
at the since forefront 30 June of 2010. council We now discussions,
access and to it’s electric important and hybrid to note It Canterbury’s will deliver all coastal statutorily re-
have one and of causing $110 per widespread rateable property. erosion.
that vehicles some of and our hope investment to have half is our quired communities work, but will compared be threatened to option
1 some projects are to meet existing commitments,
delayed,
by sea-level rise this century and threatened and facing increased
our productive and protected land pressures due to river system
jeopardised by the arrival and change.
spread of new, exotic weeds and Wetlands are also ecosystems
pests from warmer climates. at-risk nationally and regionally,
All these eventualities have degraded by draining, damming
to be planned and prepared for, and diversion affecting their
and Environment Canterbury ability to sequester carbon,
will remain in the vanguard of cleanse freshwater and mitigate
these climate change efforts. flooding, as well as impacting on
One example is the $40 million biodiversity and mahinga kai.
Waimakariri River flood
With biosecurity, we are
protection project, completed putting greater emphasis on the
late last year. The network of risks of new pests establishing
floodgates and stopbanks will in Canterbury. Warming
protect half a million people and temperatures, changing soils and
$8 billion of community and new land uses mean new weeds
business assets from a possible especially, will be able to gain a
“super flood”.
better foothold across the region.
The last major flood was in More broadly, we have to
December 1957, when parts curb reliance on fossil fuels and
of Coutts Island in Belfast and find environmentally suitable
INVESTMENT: Kainga were swamped Environment by river Canterbury’s alternatives, such draft as electricity Long Term and Plan highlights an improved
public flow peaking transport at 3990 network cubic as a key hydrogen, part to of power delivering our public environmental outcomes.
metres per second (cumecs). transport.
scaled The protection back or not scheme proposed has been to be need When to my balance predecessor the cost Steve to our haveyoursay.ecan.govt.nz/ltp
funded. designed $135m to defend of that Christchurch would be Lowndes region should retired we as chair not take of this If you would like to know more,
rate-funded, from a flood of with as much the remainder as 6500 this action council with late the last cost year, of undertaking
the activity some we of the have big outlined Their contact details are online
he
contact your regional councillor.
made cumecs. up of Government grants highlighted
and Environment council user-pays Canterbury’s charges. changes in the draft on the plan. way. It He is important was
at https://www.ecan.govt.nz/
leadership We know of these biodiversity are not and insignificant
optimistic we hear your we would views. be I able urge to you about/your-council-2/our-team/
biosecurity amounts programmes of money, is also but deal to be with informed, the “pressing consider issues” what of is councillors/
council underpinned has determined by climate-change we will climate important, change and and to sustainability.
tell what you • Cr Jenny Hughey is chair
consult concerns. with the community on think. I share his confidence. As a of the Canterbury Regional
the Canterbury’s full extent of distinct what could braided be community, Consultation and as will a council, run from Council (Environment
done, rivers and what unique it wetlands costs – and face we March are taking 8 to April some 11. bold When steps consultation
we are opens, in a you’ll better be place to
to
Canterbury)
ask many our challenges. fellow Cantabrians The rivers form how ensure
far
a vital
and
ecological
how much
link
we
and
are
provide
able to
cope
able
with
to find
the
out
changing
more,
climate
including
achieve together.
how these options could impact
nesting grounds for 26 species of there will always be a need to do
native
These
birds
are big
– most
decisions
classified
and
as more.
on your regional council rates
council wants your feedback. We bill, and make a submission, at
It’s a year since Environment Canterbury
declared a climate-change emergency
JENNY HUGHEY explains what
the council has been doing.
The formal declaration of a
state of climate emergency across
Canterbury was one of the most
serious, and colourful, moments
in the regional council’s more than
30-year history.
A year ago this Saturday,
at 11.49am, Environment
Canterbury became New Zealand’s
first council to proclaim such an
emergency, formally dedicating
itself to consideration of climate
change at the heart of all it does.
The declaration highlighted
that all the work Environment
Canterbury does – from
freshwater management to
biodiversity and biosecurity,
transport and urban development
to air quality, and also regional
leadership – has a climate change
focus.
Currently, under the Resource
Management Act, regional
councils are required only to adapt
to climate change, not mitigate
it – that responsibility is the
Government’s, but could change.
Even in ‘adapt mode’ many
of Environment Canterbury’s
existing policies and plans already
contribute to reduced emissions.
In declaring the climate
emergency, the Council noted it
would continue to show leadership
on climate-change their dreams and of home do so ownership.
without adding new programmes
at ratepayers’ expense. It also gave
Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz
Environment
Canterbury Chair
Jenny Hughey
and enhance that work.
fleet hybrid or long-range electric
That work included setting by 2022. Carbon emissions from
up a climate-change integration air travel across the organisation
bank. We think we’re a
programme the Long-term Plan are offset via our own biodiversity
2018-28, ensuring climate change programmes.
darn good bank. And we
was actively considered across According to a Madworld report
workstreams, increasing visibility in 2019, our gross emissions were
of the science and what we know 2253 tonnes of carbon dioxide
want to be about your the impact of bank.
climate (CO2) equivalent, compared with
change on Canterbury, and liaising removals of 7883 tonnes of CO2-
on the issue with iwi and regional equivalent through our efficiency
partners, other local authorities efforts and from forestry planting
and central government.
across 2700 hectares.
As an organisation, we have The changing climate will pose
also made significant progress in many risks to life and livelihood
addressing our own greenhousegas
emissions, with our
we have seen how occasional,
in Canterbury. In recent years
We want to thank all Christchurch of our customers building receiving and a the but Christchurch
extreme, weather events have
community for their ongoing “market-leading” support. energy efficiency The highlight had huge effects for our on residents team and
rating of 5.0 out of 6 the year infrastructure around the South
over the last 12 months to February was on winning the National Canstar’s Island. Most Satisfied
Customers Award 2020! Australian Built Environment The driest parts of our region,
Rating System New Zealand. along the Marlborough coast and
Being a challenger bank is in our roots The building’s and features We’ve include come a long across way much over the of the past Canterbury
challenging the home loan options 184 available solar panels which 151 can years moving Plains, from only are offering expected home to get even
to the community back in 1869 was generate the very more than 55,000 loans to now offering drier. the North-westerly full suite of banking storms are
reason that our story began. Our kilowatt founders hours of electricity products per and services. predicted to become more intense,
knew it could be done better so year. SBS Bank
with torrential alpine rainstorms
was established to help customers There achieve has been a 26% Because reduction we’re owned turning by our our braided customers rivers into
per staff member in our emissions profits don’t go roaring overseas rapids, and fuelling everything landslides
since 30 June 2010. We we now do is have about serving and causing our customers widespread and erosion.
We have 14 branches nationwide access serving to electric our and communities hybrid across Canterbury’s New Zealand. coastal
staff a customers clear mandate along to with continue a New Zealand-based
vehicles and hope to Come have half and our try the communities SBS Bank difference. will be threatened
Support your local team.
by sea-level rise this century and
our productive and protected land
jeopardised by the arrival and
spread of new, exotic weeds and
pests from warmer climates.
All these eventualities have
to be planned and prepared for,
and Environment Canterbury
will remain in the vanguard of
these climate change efforts.
One example is the $40 million
Waimakariri River flood
protection project, completed
late last year. The network of
floodgates and stopbanks will
protect half a million people and
$8 billion of community and
business assets from a possible
“super flood”.
The last major flood was in
December 1957, when parts
of Coutts Island in Belfast and
Kainga were swamped by river
flow peaking at 3990 cubic
metres per second (cumecs).
The protection scheme has been
Thursday February 25 2021 The Star
OPINION 25
Draft Long Term Plan for consultation
We’re an award-winning
Contact Centre which is open 7 days a week
and 24/7 access through our digital channels
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threatened and facing increased
pressures due to river system
change.
Wetlands are also ecosystems
at-risk nationally and regionally,
degraded by draining, damming
and diversion affecting their
ability to sequester carbon,
cleanse freshwater and mitigate
flooding, as well as impacting on
biodiversity and mahinga kai.
With biosecurity, we are
putting greater emphasis on the
risks of new pests establishing
in Canterbury. Warming
temperatures, changing soils and
new land uses mean new weeds
especially, will be able to gain a
better foothold across the region.
More broadly, we have to
curb reliance on fossil fuels and
find environmentally suitable
alternatives, such as electricity and
hydrogen, to power our public
Left to right - Standing: Jo Taylor, Karen transport. Docherty,
Brendon Forrest (Branch Manager), Janet When Smith, my Julia predecessor Austin. Steve
designed Sitting: to defend Sara Taylor, Christchurch Jules Keillor. Lowndes retired as chair of
from a flood of as much as 6500 this council late last year, he
cumecs.
highlighted some of the big
Environment Canterbury’s changes on the way. He was
leadership of biodiversity and optimistic we would be able to
biosecurity programmes is also deal with the “pressing issues” of
underpinned by climate-change climate change and sustainability.
concerns.
I share his confidence. As a
Canterbury’s distinct braided community, and as a council,
rivers and unique wetlands face we are taking some bold steps to
many challenges. The rivers form ensure we are in a better place to
a vital ecological link and provide cope with the changing climate
an abundant SBS Bank food Papanui supply and and the tests it will set us. But
nesting
2-6
grounds
Main North
for 26
Road,
species
Papanui,
of
Christchurch.
there will always be a need to do
native birds – most classified as more.
0800 727 2265 sbsbank.co.nz
*Eligibility criteria applies. Electronic Banking Terms and Conditions apply and Fees and Charges may apply, both are available
on request and free of change from any branch of SBS Bank or at sbsbank.co.nz