Horizons Regional Council committed to taking climate action

Horizons Regional Council is actioning their Climate Action Plan to continue supporting the region to reduce the impacts of climate change.
 

Horizons chair Rachel Keedwell says the Climate Action Plan has been developed through recommendations from the Manawatū-Whanganui Climate Action Joint Committee and recognises work the council has been doing for years, as well as future intentions.
 
“Climate change is an issue our region is already experiencing and impacts will not reduce in the coming years. By committing to the climate actions outlined in the plan, together we can mitigate what those impacts will look like in the future,” says Cr Keedwell.
 
“Horizons Regional Council’s Climate Action Plan will support the Joint Action Plan’s aim of empowering communities, working with nature, addressing known issues and supporting good decisions.
 
Cr Keedwell says Horizons’ Climate Action Plan outlines actions already being undertaken, a roadmap for future actions, and sets a greenhouse gas emission reduction target for the council.
 
“Horizons intends to reduce its organisational gross greenhouse gas emissions by 43 percent by 2030 from 2019-20 levels. We recognise this is an ambitious target but are aiming for it regardless, hoping the development of further technology will also assist.
 
“The process of transitioning our fleet of vehicles to EV or low-emission vehicles, as opportunities arise and suitable vehicles are available, has already begun. This will play a significant role in reducing our greenhouse gas emissions.
 
“Ongoing actions already undertaken are flood protection projects to increase the climate resilience for communities in Foxton, Manawatū, Palmerston North and Rangitīkei. Horizons are also collaborating with Massey University, Manawatū and Whanganui district councils to work with Pūtiki and Tangimoana residents to develop community-led climate adaptation plans, and incorporate climate actions and considerations into Horizons’ day-to-day operations.
 
“Our Sustainable Land Use Initiative (SLUI) programme has also been operational for more than 15 years and has contributed to reducing the impacts of climate change by reducing erosion and sediment entering waterways through tree planting.
 
 
“The Climate Action Plan also looks to support community and iwi/hapū led climate innovations by providing seed funding to assess risk and explore climate adaptation options in the future.
 
“This is the next step for Horizons towards our response to climate change, but it is one we have a responsibility to our community to commit to,” says Cr Keedwell.
 
“Everyone has a role to play in our response to climate change: local and central government, tangata whenua, communities, and individuals.
 
“We see our role as facilitating and directly contributing to an effective, constructive response to climate change in our region. We aim to do this by building the resilience of our communities and environment to the effects of a changing climate, supporting the transition to a sustainable, carbon neutral regional economy, and ensuring central and local government efforts align to the needs of our region.”
 
“Join us in taking action to respond to climate change in our region. Every action matters.”
 
Horizons Regional Council’s Climate Action Plan is available to read here.
 
To read the Joint Climate Action plan in English click here.
 
To read the Joint Climate Action plan in te reo Māori click here.