Climate change engagement

MfE’s climate change work programme is focused on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to a changing climate.

Find out about consultation and engagement on initiatives.

Webinar on guidance note for local government on implementing the national adaptation plan and emissions reduction plan

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

Putting a price on agricultural emissions

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

About the national adaptation plan and managed retreat

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

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 Government is now consulting on Aotearoa New Zealand’s first draft national adaptation plan. This plan sets out coordinated and comprehensive actions for New Zealand to adapt to the locked-in impacts of climate change, such as rising sea levels and more frequent extreme weather events. It’s a cross-government plan that draws together existing and proposed actions to support adaptation.

In this presentation Deputy Secretary for Climate Policy and Partnerships and Customers Anne Haira, outlines what the national adaptation plan sets out to do, and why it’s important for you to be involved.

Workshops and webinars held on the draft national adaptation plan and managed retreat

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.

About the workshops 

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. 

Emissions Reduction Plan

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. 

 

Watch webinars held during the consultation on the Emissions Reduction Plan

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

Event Topic Summary Link

Emissions Reduction Plan overview webinar 

Transitioning to a low-emissions, climate-resilient future 

This webinar was repeated and recorded 7pm October 18. 

 

Emissions Reduction Plan overview 

webinar 

Transitioning to a low-emissions, climate-resilient future 

Webinar recording

 

Emissions Reduction Plan overview 

webinar 

Meeting the net-zero challenge 

Webinar recording

 

Emissions Reduction Plan overview 

webinar 

Aligning system settings and using cross-sector tools 

Webinar recording

 

Transitioning key sectors webinar 

Transport  

Webinar recording

 

Transitioning key sectors webinar 

Energy and Industry 

Webinar recording

 

Transitioning key sectors webinar 

Building and Construction 

Webinar recording

 

Q&A recording

Transitioning key sectors webinar 

Agriculture and Forestry 

Webinar recording

 

Transitioning key sectors webinar 

Waste 

Webinar recording

 

Transitioning key sectors webinar 

F-Gases 

Webinar recording

 

Local Government Workshop

Barriers, Opportunities, Planning System and Implications

 
Local Government Workshop Barriers, Opportunities, Planning System and Implications  

Emissions Reduction Plan overview webinar

Research, Science, Innovation (and technology)

Webinar link

Emissions Reduction Plan overview webinar 

Circular Economy and Bio Economy

Webinar link

Resources for Māori in the transition to a low emissions economy

Kaupapa  

Resources  

What the Emissions Reduction Plan means for Māori  

 

Video 

An Equitable Transition  

 

Video 

Ministry for Primary Industries- Forestry, Agriculture, He Waka Eke Noa 

https://www.mpi.govt.nz/consultations/emissions-reduction-plan/ 

Māori Economy Emissions Profile- Climate change mitigation impact on the Māori economy 

https://www.mbie.govt.nz/dmsdocument/17448-maori-economy-emissions-profile 

 

Role of Māori in the Transition to a Low-Emissions Economy

Read the report