Joint climate action to begin in Horizons Region

The Manawatū-Whanganui Climate Action Joint Committee is pleased to announce the release of the inaugural Manawatū-Whanganui Joint Climate Action Plan.

Co-chair of the committee and Horizons Regional Council chair Rachel Keedwell says the plan aims to clarify councils’ role in addressing climate change impacts in the Horizons Region to build thriving communities and preserve and enhance the environment. 
 
“Development of the plan brought together the region’s councils and tangata whenua. Mayors of each city or district council, seven tangata whenua members and myself, on behalf of Horizons, participate in the committee.
 
“The plan contains recommendations to councils, including incorporating climate change impacts into planning processes, agreeing on areas where councils can work together and talking to communities about potential impacts of climate change in the region.
 
“Each council in the region will need to consider how climate change is going to be addressed in each district and implement the recommendations in the plan. This should lead to individual council actions plans being created that provide a greater level of detail. Communities can expect to see those actions reflected in upcoming Long-term Plans.
 
Cr Keedwell says the plan is timely as climate change is happening now and will affect our whānau, farms, businesses and communities. 
 
“We need to work together to make positive changes for our region to lessen the impact of climate change. This plan is a collaborative effort towards that goal.
 
Co-chair of the committee Dr Huhana Smith says the committee has strived to create an action plan that reflects diverse communities within the region, with a strong Māori lead too.
 
“As we adapt to climate change, councils are committed to making changes in a fair and equitable way and upholding the principles of te Tiriti o Waitangi. There’s a strong focus in the plan about working with communities, tangata whenua and central Government to adapt to the changing climate, to make our region more resilient, and reduce emissions.”
 
“The Manawatū-Whanganui Climate Change Action Plan embraces a Te Ao Māori world view that is holistic and puts Te Taiao (the natural world) first. It also acknowledges mātauranga Māori is a key part of an effective regional response to climate change,” says Dr Smith.
 
“The plan builds on work already being carried out by councils and communities and makes recommendations on ways we can work together on issues we can’t solve on our own. A well-designed plan means our efforts are aligned – locally and nationally.
 
“The plan includes case studies from across the region that highlight climate action that is already underway. While these examples are location specific, the challenges they address are present in many places across the region.
 
“The involvement of tangata whenua in the committee has been central to developing the action plan. Both English and Te Reo Māori versions are available on Horizons’ website. 
 
“There are also recommendations about things we can all do now to make our households more resilient to the impacts of a changing climate. Each of us doing what we can, no matter how small, to reduce our carbon footprint and prepare for more severe weather, will move us further along the path of climate action.
 
“If we take action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the changing climate, we will have more options to build thriving communities and preserve and enhance the environment in our region.” 
 
Click here to read the Joint Climate Action plan in English

Click here to read the Joint Climate Action plan in Te Reo Māori