Climate change engagement

About the guidance note

From 30 November, local government must ‘have regard to’ the national adaptation plan and emissions reduction plan when preparing or changing regional policy statements, regional plans, and district plans.   

See the guidance note

Sign up for a webinar on the guidance note

Webinar to give a further overview for local government practitioners and provide the opportunity to ask questions.

The webinar is being held on December 13 from 10.30am to 12pm.

To attend register here. 

In 2019, the Government decided to put a price on agricultural emissions from 2025 to close this gap in our climate response and help us meet our emissions reductions goals.

As a key step towards this, He Waka Eke Noa - Primary Sector Climate Action Partnership was set up to equip farmers to measure, manage and reduce on-farm agriculture greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate change. 

The Government asked for feedback on its proposal for a farm-level, split-gas levy for agriculture.

Find out about the proposals (Consultation closed 18 November)

Find out about reducing agriculture emissions in the emissions reduction plan

Email Agriculture.Emissions@mfe.govt.nz if you require further information.

Webinars held on the proposals

• NZ ETS participants workshop
• Public audience - Watch a recording of the webinar
• Agriculture sector nationwide Q+A sessions
• Webinar for Hapori Māori 

National adaptation plan

We consulted on a draft national adaptation plan for how we can adapt to and minimise the harmful impacts of our changing climate.

Everyone is affected by climate change. But some people are more vulnerable to the damaging effects than others. We must make sure the national adaptation plan meets the needs of all groups and communities.

Find out more

• Climate change and disabled people
• Climate change and younger New Zealanders
• Climate change and older New Zealanders
• Climate change and rural communities
• Climate change and Pacific people  

Managed retreat

We sought feedback from New Zealanders, especially those in communities at high risk of impacts of climate change, on high-level policy issues for a managed retreat system. This was an important part of our consultation on the draft national plan.   

Consultation ran from 28 April to 3 June 2022. The final national adaptation plan was published in August 2022. 

The impacts of climate change affect all New Zealanders. 

We sought feedback from various sectors and communities on the draft national adaptation plan.

We ran workshops and webinars to:

• provide information on the draft national adaptation plan
• find out how climate change is affecting you.

We’ve partnered with Ihirangi to facilitate discussions in our iwi/Māori focused events. Ihirangi is the operational arm of the National Iwi Chairs Forum Pou Take Āhuarangi climate group.

Webinars for the general public

The impacts of climate change affect all New Zealanders. We held a webinar for the general public on the consultation and how you can make a submission. We welcomed feedback on the draft national adaptation plan from people across all sectors and communities, so we can make sure the draft plan meets the needs of everyone.

Workshops for local government

Local government is on the front line of climate change. Many councils are already working with communities and with iwi and Māori to address the impacts and risks from our changing climate.

This summary gives an overview of what the national adaptation plan means for local government.

The workshops built on feedback received from local government throughout the draft national adaptation plan’s pre-public consultation period. They provided an open forum for discussion on the priorities of the draft plan, early concepts for managed retreat, and any further tools needed to address climate risk.

For any further information or questions on local government engagement email adaptation@mfe.govt.nz

Workshops with iwi and Māori

Climate change and its impacts raise a distinct set of issues for Māori in relation to natural resources, the environment, land, and spiritual and cultural identities. This summary gives an overview.

The hui built on the feedback we received during the draft national adaptation plan’s pre-public consultation period and from online workshops on managed retreat. 

We’ve partnered with Ihirangi (the operational arm of the National Iwi Chair’s Forum Pou Take Āhuarangi climate group) to facilitate these discussions, which help us to:   

• test the overall national adaptation plan direction  
• understand the extent to which specific actions meet Māori priorities for adaptation and future climate action  
• understand views on actions government should take to minimise impacts without worsening existing inequities
• understand potential opportunities and gaps in the current draft plan.   

For any further information or questions on Māori engagement contact Chris.Brankin@mfe.govt.nz. 

Reforms to the Emissions Trading Scheme – consultation on a governance framework and reforms to industrial allocation closed on 17 September 2021.

Find out more on the consultation on a governance framework

Find out more on the consultation on reforms to industrial allocation

The emissions reduction plan was released in May 2022. 

Consultation on the emissions reduction plan discussion document Te hau mārohi ki anamata Transitioning to a low-emissions and climate-resilient future occurred from 13 October—24 November 2021. 

Each webinar ran for one hour and included a presentation on each topic and opportunity to ask questions.