EDS says proposals for climate adaptation have significant gaps

EDS says proposals for climate adaptation have significant gaps

The report of the government’s Independent Reference Group on Climate Adaptation was released today. It contains a series of recommendations including:

• Improving the quality, consistency and accessibility of natural hazard risk information
• Mandating council adaptation planning under the Local Government Act 2002
• Legislating to reduce liability risks for decision-makers
• A ‘beneficiary pays’ approach to investment in risk reduction measures, with the Crown only contributing to protect its own assets, or where ‘broader national’ benefits can be realised or costs reduced or avoided.
• Funding support for iwi/hapū/Māori adaptation initiatives for Māori land and cultural infrastructure
• No buyouts for property owners after a transition period of 20 years
• Continued hardship support provided by central government after major events but not connected to property values

“There are some good elements in these proposals”, said EDS’s Policy Director Raewyn Peart, who is currently writing a book on climate adaptation.

“Certainly, more consistent, higher quality and more accessible information on hazard risks will benefit everyone. Recognition that iwi and hapū will require funding support for their adaptation initiatives is also positive.

“It’s also good to see adaption planning being mandated, although additional support will likely be needed for some councils to adequately resource this. Plans will need legal status so they influence other decision-making.

“Unfortunately, the report also has some notable gaps. Although the Reference Group states in the body of the report that development in high-risk areas should be avoided there are no suggestions on how this should be achieved.

“This an issue that needs urgent action. Thousands of homes are still being built in hazardous areas and this needs to stop. EDS has recommended that government promulgate a National Environment Standard, with immediate effect, to clearly state that councils must not consent development in areas subject to high hazard risk.

“The other notable gap in the recommendations is the lack of any provision for managed retreat. The approach being proposed is essentially ‘unmanaged’ retreat where people will be left to make their own decisions on whether to stay or leave a high-risk area.

“This means that relocation, if it occurs at all, is only likely to take place post-event, after damage has occurred and an insurance payout is available to cover at least some of the loss. Those without adequate insurance, or other means to leave, will likely be trapped in an increasingly risky environment.

“It will be exceedingly difficult for councils to plan withdrawal of service provision, as unmanaged relocation generally occurs in a haphazard manner, and gradually over long periods of time.

“On the other hand, managed retreat enables people to be moved, in a coordinated and safe manner, and before costly damage occurs. It gets everyone out of harms’ way. The danger of waiting post-event was highlighted by the consequences of Cyclone Gabrielle when 11 people lost their lives.

“It was also disappointing to see no mention of the need to allow space for rivers to shift as floodplains are modified by climate change.

“EDS is keen to work with government as these proposals are fleshed out into legislation later in the year. What we need is an enduring solution that is fair for everyone,” concluded Ms Peart.