Agenda of Climate Action Joint Committee

Hawke’s Bay

Climate Action Joint Committee

22 May 2023

Subject: Climate Action Joint Committee - Terms of Reference and membership confirmation

Reason for Report

1. This item provides the opportunity for the Climate Action Joint Committee to confirm its Terms of Reference and its membership.

Background /Discussion

2. The desire to establish a Joint Committee to oversee climate mitigation and adaptation work first arose at the Hawke’s Bay Local Government Leaders (and CEs) Forum meeting on 31 October 2022. It was agreed that a joint committee provides an effective vehicle for a coordinated response to climate change, identified in the Triennial Agreement as a significant cross-council priority affecting all communities in the Hawke’s Bay region.

3. It also provides a platform for the work required of councils in meeting their statutory obligations to “have regard to” the National Emissions Reduction Plan and National Adaptation Plan, as well as meet obligations under the Spatial Planning and Natural & Built Environments legislation.

4. The TOR set out the membership, meeting frequency and purpose. It is proposed that meetings are held at least 3 times per year. Consideration could be given to holding meetings in different locations to reinforce regional representation.

5. The TOR was adopted by the HBRC on 25 January 2023, and subsequently adopted with minor amendments by Hastings District Council on 2 March 2023, Napier City Council on 16 March 2023, Central Hawke’s Bay District Council on 23 March 2023, and due to be adopted by Wairoa District Council on 16 May 2023. These minor changes are incorporated into the Terms of Reference attached.

Membership

6. The following appointments have been made:

6.1. Representing Hawke’s Bay Regional Council:

6.1.1. Chair Hinewai Ormsby appointed as Chair of the Joint Committee, Councillor Xan Harding, and Councillor Di Roadley as alternate

6.2. Representing Hawke’s Bay Regional Council’s Māori Committee

6.2.1. Taiwhenua representatives Dr Roger Maaka (Tamatea taiwhenua) and Paul Kelly (Wairoa taiwhenua), and Marei Apatu (Heretaunga Taiwhenua) as alternate.

6.3. Representing the Regional Planning Committee PSGE appointers:

6.3.1. Tania Hopmans (RPC Co-chair, Maungaharuru-Tangitū Trust) and Keri Ropiha (RPC Deputy Co-chair, Heretaunga Tamatea Settlement Trust)

6.4. Representing Central Hawke’s Bay District Council:

6.4.1. Mayor Alex Walker and Councillor Tim Aitken, and Councillor Jerry Greer as alternate.

6.5. Representing Napier City Council:

6.5.1. Councillors Annette Brosnan and Hayley Browne, and Councillor Chad Tareha as alternate.

6.6. Representing Hastings District Council

6.6.1. Mayor Sandra Hazlehurst and Councillor Ann Redstone, and Councillor Tania Kerr as alternate.

6.7. Representatives of Wairoa District Council to be confirmed.

Technical Advice

7. A Technical Advisory Group (TAG) will comprise of staff members from the member councils who are working in climate mitigation and adaptation, and will involve subject matter experts as required to ensure linkages with other workstreams, such as the work of the Regional Transport Committee, and the Clifton to Tangoio Coastal Hazards and Napier-Hastings Future Development Strategy joint committees.

8. Chief Executives from each of the partner councils are asked to nominate one or more technical specialists in, for example, risk and/or asset management for climate adaptation, planners and transport specialists for emissions reduction to initiate the TAG. Taiwhenua and PSGE representatives are invited to nominate members as capacity allows.

Financial and Resource Implications

9. HBRC will be the administering authority for the Joint Committee and will cover the costs of administration and tangata whenua representatives’ remuneration.

10. Funding for technical inputs will predominantly come from the existing HBRC budget with contributions on a case-by-case basis from member councils, as per the status quo.

11. Consideration could be given to sharing the costs for tangata whenua participation and technical inputs, similar to the Napier-Hastings Future Development Strategy Joint Committee, between all the member councils as part of the next LTP.

Decision Making Process

12. Council and its committees are required to make every decision in accordance with the requirements of the Local Government Act 2002 (the Act). Staff have assessed the requirements in relation to this item and have concluded:

12.1. The decision does not significantly alter the service provision or affect a strategic asset, nor is it inconsistent with an existing policy or plan.

12.2. The use of the special consultative procedure is not prescribed by legislation.

12.3. The decision is not significant under the criteria contained in Council’s adopted Significance and Engagement Policy.

12.4. Given the nature and significance of the issue to be considered and decided, and also the persons likely to be affected by, or have an interest in the decisions made, Council can exercise its discretion and make a decision without consulting directly with the community or others having an interest in the decision.

Recommendations

That the Climate Action Joint Committee:

1. Receives and considers the Climate Action Joint Committee- Terms of Reference and membership confirmation staff report.

2. Accepts the Terms of Reference (attached) including amendments agreed today.

3. Confirms the membership of the Climate Action Joint Committee, being:

3.1. Chair Hinewai Ormsby appointed as Chair of the Joint Committee, Councillor Xan Harding, and Councillor Di Roadley as alternate – representing Hawke’s Bay Regional Council

3.2. Taiwhenua representatives Dr Roger Maaka (Tamatea taiwhenua) and Paul Kelly (Wairoa taiwhenua), and Marei Apatu (Heretaunga Taiwhenua) as alternate – representing Hawke’s Bay Regional Council’s Māori Committee

3.3. Tania Hopmans (RPC Co-chair, Maungaharuru-Tangitū Trust) and Keri Ropiha (RPC Deputy Co-chair, Heretaunga Tamatea Settlement Trust) – representing the Regional Planning Committee PSGE appointers

3.4. Mayor Alex Walker and Councillor Tim Aitken, and Councillor Jerry Greer as alternate – representing Central Hawke’s Bay District Council

3.5. Councillors Annette Brosnan and Hayley Browne, and Councillor Chad Tareha as alternate – representing Napier City Council

3.6. Mayor Sandra Hazlehurst and Councillor Ann Redstone, and Councillor Tania Kerr as alternate – representing Hastings District Council

3.7. To be confirmed – representing Wairoa District Council.

4. Recommends the Terms of Reference agreed today to each of the Partner Councils for adoption.

5. Requests that Chief Executives of partner councils nominate one or more technical specialists to be on the Technical Advisory Group.

Authored by:

Leeanne Hooper

Team Leader Governance

Pippa McKelvie-Sebileau

Climate Action Ambassador

Approved by:

Desiree Cull

Executive Officer to CE

Attachment/s

1 ⇩

16 May 2023 Climate Action Joint Committee Terms of Reference for confirmation

Hawke’s Bay

Climate Action Joint Committee

Monday 22 May 2023

Subject: Climate Action Joint Committee Election of Deputy Chairperson

Reason for Report

1. This item provides the means for the Climate Action Joint Committee to elect a Deputy Chairperson.

Background /Discussion

2. The Terms of Reference for the Joint Committee provide that at its first meeting the members shall elect a Deputy Chairperson.

3. The process to be followed for this election is:

3.1. the Chair of the joint committee will call for nominations

3.2. when there are no further nominations made, if there two or more nominees a vote will be carried out and the nominee with the most votes will be declared elected by resolution

3.3. if there is only one nominee, that person will be declared elected Deputy Chairperson by resolution.

Decision Making Process

4. Councils and committees (including Joint Committees) are required to make every decision in accordance with the requirements of the Local Government Act 2002 (the Act). Staff have assessed the requirements in relation to this item and have concluded:

4.1. Councils are required to (LGA sch.7 cl.19(1)) hold the meetings that are necessary for the good governance of its region

4.2. Councils may appoint (LGA sch.7 cl. 30(1)(a)) the committees, subcommittees, and other subordinate decision-making bodies that it considers appropriate, including joint committees

4.3. Given the provisions above, the Joint Committee can exercise its discretion and make these decisions without consulting directly with the community or others having an interest in the decision.

Recommendations

That the Climate Action Joint Committee:

1. Receives and considers the Climate Action Joint Committee Election of Deputy Chairperson staff report.

2. Agrees that the decisions to be made are not significant under the criteria contained in Hawke’s Bay Regional Council’s adopted Significance and Engagement Policy, and that the Joint Committee can exercise its discretion and make decisions on this issue without conferring with the community or persons likely to have an interest in the decision.

3. ______ nominates ___________, seconded by __________

4. ______ nominates ___________, seconded by __________

5. ______ nominates ___________, seconded by __________

Either

6. There being no further nominations _____is declared elected Deputy Chair of the Climate Action Joint Committee.

Mover/Seconder

CARRIED

7. There being no further nominations a vote was called, the results of which were:

7.1. ___ votes for ___

7.2. ___ votes for ___

7.3. ___ votes for ___

and

8. As the result of voting ______________ is declared elected Deputy Chair of the Climate Action Joint Committee.

Mover/Seconder

CARRIED

Authored by:

Leeanne Hooper

Team Leader Governance

Approved by:

Desiree Cull

Executive Officer to CE

Attachment/s

There are no attachments for this report.

Hawke’s Bay

Climate Action Joint Committee

22 May 2023

Subject: Climate resilient development - purpose and objectives in a recovery context

Reason for Report

1. This paper provides context to support the verbal presentation by staff from HBRC, NCC and HDC on the role of climate resilient development in the recovery from Cyclone Gabrielle.

2. Background information on the global context and national legislative context are given in this paper to set the scene for the establishment of this joint committee for Climate Action.

Background

3. The purpose of the joint committee, as stated in the Terms of Reference is to support a coordinated response to address the complex challenge of Climate-Resilient Development for the communities of Hawke’s Bay.

4. Climate Resilient Development is a solutions framework developed in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability report. It combines strategies to adapt to climate change with actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to support sustainable development. Climate-resilient development solutions integrate actions to reduce or avoid emissions with actions to protect people to advance sustainability. An example is health improvements that come from broadening access to clean energy while contributing to better air quality; another example is planting trees on highly erodible land to provide shade to stock, reduce soil erosion and landslide risk and sequester carbon.

5. To achieve climate-resilient development in Hawke’s Bay there is a need to integrate robust climate risk analysis and locally appropriate resilience building and adaptation measures into national and local development policies, plans and strategies.

6. With warming currently at 1.1 degrees Celsius and set to reach 1.5 degrees by 2030 (IPCC estimates of current pathway), every increment of warming brings rapidly escalating hazards, exacerbating more intense heatwaves and floods, ocean warming and coastal inundation. These complex events are particularly severe for communities with high levels of socio-economic deprivation, children, the elderly, Māori and Pasifika.

7. In the context of regional recovery after Cyclone Gabrielle, a singular focus on climate change adaptation will not be sufficient to protect communities for the future. If emissions are not reduced and warming exceeds 3 degrees Celsius, humanity’s ability to ‘adapt’ will be severely compromised, reaching hard limits to adaptation.

International and national context

8. The urgency for action has been well documented in previous papers to Council and in international reports such as the IPCC synthesis report signed and released by 195 member countries in March 2023. https://www.ipcc.ch/ar6-syr/

9. A recent report released by Deloitte Asia-Pacific’s Turning Point demonstrates how direct climate action now links to future economic prosperity in New Zealand. Our unique position to become a leader in economic growth and prosperity through rapid decarbonisation is highlighted, with decisive action on climate change potentially adding $64 billion to New Zealand’s economy by 2050.

10. At the same time, the Deloitte report cautions that inadequate action could cost $4.4 billion nationally between 2023 and 2050. By 2070, the losses could escalate to $48 billion with nearly 3,000 fewer job opportunities by 2050 due to the economic impacts of climate change. For example, if NZ falls behind on decarbonisation, key exports could be impacted as trading partners commit to net zero targets and start to focus on the sustainability of their imports. This is particularly important in a primary producing region like Hawke’s Bay.

11. The modelling shows that New Zealand’s turning point – the point at which the initial costs of decisive action on climate change are outweighed by the benefits of rapid decarbonisation – could occur in 2036.

National legislative context

12. The first national adaptation plan and national emissions reduction plan were released in 2022.

13. In November 2022, national legislation came into effect that, under the Resource Management Act, local government must have regard to the National Adaptation Plan and the National Emissions Reduction Plan. When developing RMA-related plans, local government must consider climate change issues and the role that RMA plans have in reducing greenhouse-gas emissions.

14. Some key regional activities under emissions reductions and adaptation are covered in the following sections.

Emissions reductions (mitigation)

15. A Plan. The development of a regional emissions reduction plan (see separate agenda item).

16. Goal setting. HBRC currently has a goal in its Strategic Plan for 2050 carbon neutrality: By 2025, HBRC is carbon zero and plays a leadership role in the region’s goal of net zero greenhouse gases by 2050. This does not align with the split gas national approach that considers biogenic methane (primarily from ruminant animals) separately (giving a goal of 24-47% reduction). The Joint Committee could consider utilising a split gas approach in revising the regional goal and setting a more ambitious target with a stronger mandate since the establishment of the joint committee. Interim goals for regional emissions are also needed.

17. Regional Community footprint. In 2022 AECOM was commissioned to measure regional emissions for the first time. The purpose of the report was to identify areas of high emissions to inform the regional emissions reduction plan. By establishing this protocol (Global Protocol for Community Carbon Footprints) and identifying emissions data sources, and with increase scientific staff capacity at HBRC, we now have the ability to monitor regional emissions on an annual basis as the data is released. We propose to have this information verified and audited by a third party every three years and to release a publicly available report at this time. Support for this approach is sought from the Joint Committee. It requires operational staff from each council to provide data on an annual basis, for example, waste tonnage to landfill, consents for coal burning, fuel tax collected.

18. Emissions reductions considerations in recovery. See separate agenda item (9) on the emissions reduction plan and the section on how transitioning to a lower carbon economy can be integrated into recovery and rebuilding.

Climate change adaptation

19. We recognise that climate change adaptation covers multiple workstreams (infrastructure, emergency management, spatial and district planning, cyclone recovery), and that these activities fall under the governance of multiple council structures (e.g. the future Joint Regional Planning Committee, Joint Committee for Coastal Strategy, HDC Eco districts committee, Recovery Committee, HB Regional Council). This paper does not attempt to cover the breadth of that work. Rather, it focuses on work underway on a regional climate change risk assessment following Ministry for Environment Guidance to local government.

20. Adaptation work must be informed by the most up-to-date scientific models that take into account predicted climate change pathways (greenhouse gas emissions pathways). A spatial-based climate change risk assessment was commenced in October 2022, covered in a separate agenda item and presentation from Urban Intelligence. Support for this approach and ongoing commissioning of risk modelling information is requested from the Joint Committee.

21. This work needs to align with risk modelling initiatives undertaken nationally (e.g. NIWA) and locally (HB Civil Defence Emergency Management Group Joint Committee) and requires a coordinated approach.

22. Building with future resilience to climate change events also means playing a part in reducing the speed of climate change. The impacts of climate change need to be considered holistically from tangible physical hazards such as fire, coastal inundation and river flooding to less tangible impacts on economy, community wellbeing, mana whenua and governance.

Locality plans

23. The establishment of the joint Committee enables a more coordinated approach to build climate change resilience for the region, particularly during cyclone recovery and rebuild.

24. While, at this time, it is natural for a large part of our focus to be on rebuilding regional infrastructure and flood management decisions, we cannot lose sight of other climate change risks (such as wildfires or drought). This requires us to lift our gaze from immediate recovery to long-term intergenerational planning and investment to ensure future resilience in a changed climate.

25. To facilitate a discussion on regional coordination, in this section, we summarise approaches to climate change and adaptation and mitigation concerns from each Council’s locality plan submitted to the regional recovery agency on 28 April 2023.

HBRC environmental resilience plan

26. Environmentally-friendly and climate-resilient investment and development is one of five principles underpinning the resilience pathway. This includes planning for climate change adaptation and mitigation. The objective is to successfully combine these strategies to improve human interaction with nature and provide for a resilient environment that supports human well-being.

27. Some of the initiatives specifically relating to climate change work are:

27.1. Understanding climate change vulnerabilities to inform future planning

27.2. managing emissions through a GHG inventory review and an emissions reduction plan to give effect to national direction

27.3. transport networks that support active and public transport.

28. Climate change is considered to be across all workstreams of the HBRC.

NCC locality plan

29. Overall objective is to create climate-resilient communities, with resilient lifelines, that take into account climate change. This involves changing our relationship with rivers and floodplains, rethinking where and how we rebuild, creating food resiliency and adequately funding community organisations, mana whenua, taiwhenua and iwi for delivering solutions for the climate and biodiversity crisis (amongst other actions).

HDC locality plan

30. Recognises that climate change is one of the biggest challenges facing our communities. There is a need for remodelling of climate change scenarios to ensure communities are appropriately placed to adapt. Recovery actions must include adaptation and mitigation and robust plans need to be developed. Funding requested to develop a climate change adaptation and resilience strategy that would include considerations of future land use planning, non-viable areas, and community appetite for risk.

CHBDC locality plan

31. Climate resilience and adaptation is one of six guiding principles. Across the district there has been an expectation that the community is not just rebuilding but building back with greater resilience and planning ahead for future climate change implications. This means ensuring homes are built in areas suitable for the future, sufficient steps are being taken to protect homes and people for the future, and taking a long-term approach. Focus on adaptation rather than mitigation.

Wairoa locality plan

32. In this early locality plan, immediate focus is on whānau wellbeing and economic recovery. However, climate change, our environment and the awa were also highlighted as concerns for community, along with having to travel for health services and our isolation. A key priority is to build resilience now and into the future to adapt to the natural hazards and changing climate impact across our district. Objective is to enable our whānau and whenua to build resilience to the impacts of climate change.

33. Unfortunately, there has not been enough time to consider all locality plans from mana whenua for this paper.

34. The above aspects of the locality plans will be presented to the meeting by Council staff for discussion.

Next steps

35. Seek support from the Joint Committee for the approach to update the regional emissions inventory annually through internal Council staff capacity and every three years using an external service to audit and verify.

36. Seek support for the approach to continue developing the spatial-based climate change and vulnerabilities assessment tool, and commissioning further data.

Decision-making Process

37. Staff have assessed the requirements of the Local Government Act 2002 in relation to this item and have concluded that, as this report is for information only, the decision-making provisions do not apply.

Recommendation

That the Climate Action Joint Committee receives and notes the Purpose and objectives in a recovery context staff report.

Authored by:

Pippa McKelvie-Sebileau

Climate Action Ambassador

Louise McPhail

HBRC Recovery Manager

Approved by:

Desiree Cull

Executive Officer to CE

Attachment/s

There are no attachments for this report.

Hawke’s Bay

Climate Action Joint Committee

22 May 2023

Subject: Spatial climate vulnerability assessment

Reason for Report

1. This item is to demonstrate the work undertaken as part of the regional spatial-based climate change risk and vulnerabilities assessment so far.

2. Dr Tom Logan from Urban Intelligence will present the online mapping tool during the committee meeting.

Background

3. The Climate Change Risk Explorer is a spatial-based regional risk assessment that layers hazards, assets and other information (e.g. socio economic deprivation) to identify exposure, vulnerabilities and consequences.

4. In October 2022, with support from climate staff at NCC and HDC, Regional Council engaged Urban Intelligence to undertake this work to inform the work of the Climate Action Ambassador and to provide the science for the climate change chapter of the Kotahi Plan as part of the Regional Council’s review of its Regional Resource Management Plan.

5. UI spatial approach was collectively preferred over a more traditional risks register approach given its power to engage with the community about climate risks and its evaluation of societal consequences.

6. Since Cyclone Gabrielle it has taken on greater importance as a tool for recovery planning.

Stages of work / progress

7. Presently, stage 1 is almost complete. This stage has included all readily (publicly) available data on hazards in the region and establishing the online map of vulnerabilities. Exposure and vulnerability of infrastructure is included along with natural features and mapped socioeconomic data.

8. Infrastructure across 3 subdomains has been included: Natural, Built and Human.

9. This data has been loaded into the online maps which are currently password protected as the data has not been ground-truthed or checked systematically by Council officers.

10. The online maps will be demonstrated on screen to the Committee on 22 May.

11. The following table summarises the hazards data currently included in the model based on available city, district and regional data.

Overview of Currently Available Data

Hazard	District
Hazard	Central Hawke’s Bay	Hastings	Napier	Wairoa
Coastal Erosion	Minimal	Moderate	Moderate	Minimal
Coastal Flooding	Minimal	Moderate	Moderate	Minimal
Tidal Flooding	No known data	No known data	No known data	No known data
Tsunami	Minimal	Moderate	Moderate	Minimal
Groundwater Flooding	No known data	No known data	No known data	No known data
Fluvial Flooding	Minimal	Moderate	Moderate	Minimal
Pluvial Flooding	No known data	No known data	No known data	No known data
Landslide	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate
Liquefaction	Minimal	Moderate	Moderate	Minimal
Earthquake Amplification	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate
Fire	No known data	No known data	No known data	No known data
Climate Variability	High	High	High	High

Key

High	Hazard data is spatially complete and thorough. The supporting methodology is to a high standard and considers all reasonable contributing factors.
Moderate	Hazard data is spatially complete or near complete. The supporting methodology considers most reasonable contributing factors. The output data enables rigorous vulnerability assessment.
Minimal	Hazard data is spatially incomplete or covers less than 50% of the expected area. The supporting methodology is outdated or does not consider all reasonable contributing factors. The output data does not enable rigorous vulnerability assessment.
No known data	Hazard data could not be found through publicly accessible data sources or has not been received from private sources.

12. The following stages are planned:

12.1. Stage 2: Gap filling: hazard and scenario modelling; asset data development. This stage is particularly important so that we can commission data for identified gaps in hazard information as well as include the asset / infrastructure information in the other 3 subdomains: Kaupapa Māori, Governance and Economic.

12.2. Stage 3. Second-pass risk assessment: updating the risk assessment with the new information.

12.3. Stage 4: Semi-quantitative risk assessment (workshops) to support adaptation planning and climate risk reporting.

12.4. Stage 5: Adaptation planning and community engagement.

12.5. Stage 6: Monitoring, reporting and risk iteration.

Strategic Fit

13. This work has been presented to climate change and strategy teams at NCC, HDC and CHBDC to potentially inform recovery work. Of note, it establishes vulnerabilities mapping of existing areas of infrastructure, but also for future development areas.

14. The tool will be used by the HBRC planners in the development of the spatial plan.

15. To note, there are several regional or national data sets that remain incomplete, as well as datasets that have been received by the HBRC and NCC, but are not yet approved for release into this tool.

Next Steps

16. The next step is to convene the TAG with appropriate staff from each council to consider the data gaps summarised in the table above and identified in the attached Hazard Data Gap Assessment and Recommendations and to prioritise the commissioning of further hazard modelling data to complete the gaps.

17. We have applied for recovery funding to increase scope and commission missing data modelling.

18. Feedback is sought from the Joint Committee on the role this tool could play in community engagement for recovery.

Decision Making Process

19. Staff have assessed the requirements of the Local Government Act 2002 in relation to this item and have concluded that, as this report is for information only, the decision-making provisions do not apply.

Recommendation

That the Climate Action Joint Committee receives and notes the Spatial climate vulnerability assessment.

Authored by:

Pippa McKelvie-Sebileau

Climate Action Ambassador

Approved by:

Desiree Cull

Executive Officer to CE

Attachment/s

1 ⇩

Hazard Data Gap Assessment and Recommendations from Urban Intelligence, 27 April 2023

Hawke’s Bay

Climate Action Joint Committee

22 May 2023

Subject: Examples of regional climate change strategies

Reason for Report

1. This paper introduces the Manawatū-Whanganui Climate Change Action Plan and Te Tai Tokerau Climate Adaptation Strategy as examples of regional collaboration on climate change.

2. Heather Bosselmann (NCC) will present an overview of these pieces of work.

Background

3. The Manawatū-Whanganui Climate Change Action Plan:

3.1. This was adopted in early 2023 by their Climate Action Joint Committee (made up of Horizons Regional Council, the 7 Territorial Authorities in that region and 7 tangata whenua representatives).

3.2. The Committee used their Regional Climate Change Risk Assessment, their regional emissions profile, and central government direction to consider their key climate change challenges and determine how they could work together more effectively.

3.3. They drew on advice from tangata whenua and local youth councils.

3.4. The Action Plan made recommendations for both adaptation and mitigation actions for councils to undertake both collectively and individually.

4. The Te Tai Tokerau Climate Adaptation Strategy:

4.1. This was adopted in April 2022 by the Joint Climate Adaptation Committee (made up of Northland Regional Council, the three Territorial Authorities and four iwi/hapū representatives).

4.2. The strategy outlines key ways climate change will affect council functions and services, lists some of councils’ current adaptation actions, and proposes future actions that are likely to be required across councils to improve their response to climate change.

4.3. The express aim of the strategy was to identify gaps and take advantage of opportunities to improve the councils’ current capacity for adaptation decision-making, in preparation for new legislation. There is an acknowledgement that the strategy needs to respond to the voices of their community and of tangata whenua, and particularly to expand tangata whenua engagement beyond iwi/hapū partner representatives.

Discussion

5. The intention of this report is to provide examples of ways that the new Hawke’s Bay Climate Action Joint Committee might set their strategic direction on climate action with a collaborative regional focus.

Decision Making Process

6. Staff have assessed the requirements of the Local Government Act 2002 in relation to this item and have concluded that, as this report is for information only, the decision-making provisions do not apply.

Recommendation

That the Climate Action Joint Committee receives and notes the Examples of regional climate change strategies.

Authored by:

Heather Bosselmann

Senior Policy Analyst Climate Resilience
Napier City Council

Approved by:

Desiree Cull

Executive Officer to CE

Attachment/s

1	Manawatū-Whanganui Climate Change Action Plan 2023		Under Separate Cover
2	Te Tai Tokerau Climate Action Strategy 2022		Under Separate Cover

Hawke’s Bay

Climate Action Joint Committee

22 May 2023

Subject: Update on the Emissions Reduction Plan

Reason for Report

1. This paper seeks to inform the Joint Committee about work underway on the regional emissions reduction plan. This work began in 2022 with the establishment of the first city, district and regional greenhouse gas emissions profiles and aligns with the HBRC strategic goal for the region to be carbon neutral by 2050.

2. This paper seeks early feedback from the Joint Committee on the approach and content of the plan.

Background

3. New Zealand passed its Zero Carbon amendment to the Climate Change Response Act in 2019, setting split gas targets for:

3.1. Long lived greenhouse gases (e.g. carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide): reduce to 50% below 2005 levels by 2030; net zero by 2050.

3.2. Biogenic methane: reduce by 10% below 2017 levels by 2030 and 24-47% by 2050.

4. In May 2022, the first national Emissions Reduction Plan was released setting out actions across every sector of the economy including transport, energy and industry, building and construction, agriculture, forestry, waste and fluorinated gases.

5. From November 2022, under the Resource Management Act, local government must have regard to the National Adaptation Plan and the National Emissions Reduction Plan. When developing RMA-related plans, local government must consider climate change issues and the role that RMA plans have in reducing greenhouse-gas emissions.

6. HBRC currently has a goal in its Strategic Plan for 2050 carbon neutrality: By 2025, HBRC is carbon zero and plays a leadership role in the region’s goal of net zero greenhouse gases by 2050. This does not align with the split gas national approach that considers biogenic methane (primarily from ruminant animals) separately (with a goal of 24-47% reduction). As mentioned in another agenda item, the Joint Committee could consider utilising a split gas approach in revising the regional goal and setting a more ambitious target with a stronger mandate since the establishment of the joint committee. Interim goals for regional emissions are also needed.

7. In 2022 AECOM was commissioned to measure regional greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions for the first time in Hawke’s Bay. The purpose was to identify areas of high emissions to inform the regional emissions reduction plan. Five profiles are available: Napier, Hastings, Wairoa, Central HB and the HB region. Regional greenhouse gas emissions and trends are summarised in the Figure following.

8. District and city reports are available, outlining the sources of emissions and levels of carbon sequestration across each district and region. The overall gross and net emissions are illustrated in the figure below, however, caution should be applied in interpreting and comparing these profiles given the very different population, industry and geographical features of each district.

9. In this paper, we refer to region-wide GHG emissions relating to all activities, farming, industry and households. We differentiate between community and industry production and between consumption-based emissions and emissions relating to individual Council activities which are currently measured and managed by other Council teams, e.g. Corporate Services at HBRC.

10. The proposal to develop a regional emissions reduction plan was presented to the HBRC meeting of 28 September 2022.

11. In anticipation of a regional governance for climate action, a practitioners group was established to develop measurable and targeted actions by June 2023 under the following chapters:

11.1. Building & Construction

11.2. Transport

11.3. Equitable Transition

11.4. Planning and Infrastructure

11.5. Working with Nature

11.6. Waste

11.7. Agriculture

11.8. Housing.

12. In recognition of the complexity of emissions considerations in Agriculture and the significant work occurring through He Waka Eke Noa for this chapter, it was proposed that actions would support farmers in the region to adapt to the national emission reduction plan rather than any supplementary actions.

13. Two workshops had been held before Cyclone Gabrielle, inviting subject matter experts and practitioners to develop actions under: Waste and Working with Nature.

14. Due to the deployment into recovery activities of core members of the practitioners group from Councils and organisations such as the Environment Centre, subsequent workshops were cancelled and the scope of the chapters to be drafted by June was reduced to Waste, Working with Nature, Transport plus new chapter, Emissions Considerations in Recovery. The other chapters have been deferred until such time that a process for establishing a working group with adequate representation from the affected sectors and genuine mana whenua engagement can be established.

15. The next section of this paper gives a brief update on the types of actions and vision for this first iteration of regional emissions reductions actions.

Emissions reductions activities

Transport

16. Transport emission make up one fifth, or 20% of our regional emissions profile. This is a significant source of emissions. Of that 20%, over half come from diesel-powered vehicles. Most of the diesel emissions are from the heavy / commercial freight industry that supports the movements of goods and productive inputs for industry. A smaller portion comes from the public transport bus fleet. Currently, the public transport bus fleet is made up of ageing and higher emitting rolling stock. The commercial transport fleet is a mix of older rolling stock, particularly those used only in peak seasonal periods, and more modern rolling stock for those operators who have transport as their core business. Naturally, these types of vehicles emit significantly more per vehicle kilometre travelled that the light fleet / private cars.

17. While the light fleet, made up of private cars, have a low emissions profile on a per kilometre travelled basis, they are heavily represented on a total tonnes of CO2 emitted basis, marginally exceeding that of the commercial / freight industries. Most of the car fleet in Hawke’s Bay uses petrol, with electrification minimally represented. Given that cars make up the largest portion of emissions, it can be concluded that some of the biggest emissions reduction wins will come from behaviour change and modal shift – that is, the creation of genuine and safe transport options across the region, supported and enabled by fit-for-purpose behaviour change.

18. Several early draft actions are proposed, noting that these have not yet been reviewed and finalised by the practitioners group, or in depth by the Regional Technical Advisory Group. However, they are proposed in alignment with the principle recently developed at the Regional Transport Committee Workshop – Promote and apply climate smart solutions.

18.1. Implement the new Regional Public Transport Plan with a focus on low or no emissions buses for the new network

18.2. Develop fit for purpose public transport infrastructure to support and enable multi-modal integration across all transport modes

18.3. Investigate and advocate for new and innovative travel options and choices

18.4. Advocate for increased electric charging and alternative fuel infrastructure both intra and inter-regionally

18.5. Develop and implement a connected, integrated, and safe regional active transport strategy

18.6. Work with industry and key stakeholders to advocate for and enable new and emerging fuels, such as dual fuel hydrogen trucks.

Waste

19. Waste-related emissions (solid waste and wastewater) account for around 4% of our national GHG emissions and around 2% of regional emissions. This includes waste in open landfill (60% of regional waste emissions), waste in closed landfills, composting, wastewater treatment plants and septic tanks.

20. Waste emissions have increased by 3% since 2018/19, with the largest increase in emissions from individual septic tanks.

21. A waste audit conducted in June 2022 by HDC on the diversion potential of waste in the Ōmarunui Landfill, identified that 34% of waste sent to landfill was organics that could have been composted. A kerbside waste diversion potential identified 48% of waste that could have been composted and 15% that could have been recycled.

22. Drafts actions proposed to monitor and reduce emissions from waste produced in Hawke’s Bay (and align with the National Waste Strategy) include:

22.1. Pilot food scrap / organics kerbside collections for all housesholds in urban areas by 2026 in preparation for the national strategy making food scrap collection mandatory in urban areas by 2030.

22.2. Audit of all sites of waste in the region, including council-managed landfills, private landfills (clean fills), waste disposal sites on private land and commercial composting facilities.

22.3. Support specialist recycling with centralised depots for soft plastics, batteries, e-waste, and all types of plastics.

22.4. Feasibility study for methane collection from landfills across the region.

22.5. Support for more businesses working to divert from landfill, recycle, repurpose or reutilise.

Working with Nature

23. Climate change and biodiversity loss are inextricably intertwined. Considering emissions reductions and sequestration potential in biodiversity protection and enhancement work enables strong action in both areas.

24. Nature-based solutions are generally cost-effective and provide multiple environmental, social and economic benefits that enhance climate resilience.

25. General principles of nature-based solutions include rewilding, more room for rivers, urban greening, eco-system preservation and protection.

26. Of note, more greenhouse gas emissions are released into the atmosphere in the region from the harvesting of forestry (3.9 million tonnes annually), compared to, for example, 2.9 million tonnes from agriculture.

27. Drafts actions proposed to reduce regional emissions through nature-based solutions include:

27.1. Community-led nature-based solutions: establish a central point for the community to access support and financial assistance for environmental preservation

27.2. Monitoring and reporting: e.g. set goals at urban, peri-urban and rural zones and report against this; different goals for council-owned land, private land etc.

27.3. Blue carbon / wetlands: further data required on the sequestration potential of wetlands; identify, expand, restore and prioritise wetlands and appropriate areas to widen rivers

27.4. Urban greening: community based and council actions

27.5. Restoration and protection of forests: increase pace of predator eradication and pursuits of predator-free 2050; incentivise pest control on private land

27.6. Biodiversity in farming incentives that consider the full cost of these initiatives.

Recovery

28. The urgency of our transition towards a low emissions and climate resilient future has never been greater. Cyclone Gabrielle provided a stark reminder of the consequences of inaction and that climate action must be about protecting our communities from harm in the short and long-term future.

29. Effective recovery initiatives must prioritise opportunities to build resilience, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and slow biodiversity loss.

30. A central dimension of effective recovery and resilience is ensuring that it is driven by and for hapori whānui (wider community) and remains focused on hauora (wellbeing), reduces inequality and improves inclusiveness. To this end, mana whenua as kaitiaki must be enabled to both lead and partner with local government to achieve the best outcomes within a resilient recovery framework and a transition to a future that protects and serves all within Te Matau-a-Māui.

31. Draft actions proposed to ensure recovery embeds the transition towards a low emissions and climate resilient future include:

31.1. Rebuilding with intentionality – long-term intergenerational planning that considers the needs of our communities now and in the future and prioritises activities that will reduce emissions and build greater resilience.

31.2. Avoid relaxing existing environmental regulations as longer-term vulnerability is more costly than short-term economic relief (see Deloitte report).

31.3. Reduce reliance on fossil fuels by designing for reduced energy needs and investing in alternative energy sources.

31.4. Ensure that waste minimisation principles are embedded in recovery work, specifically noting that construction waste contributes 40-50% of New Zealand’s total waste going to landfill.

31.5. Ensure that housing is energy efficient and designed in recognition of a future changed climate, so that homes are healthier and more affordable. This is an excellent example of climate-resilient development that both promotes a lower emissions lifestyle, enhances wellbeing and provides greater resilience for whānau and communities in future climate events.

31.6. Design procurement processes that include considerations of long-term resilience and carbon footprint over the asset lifetime (e.g. consider mandating a lifecycle carbon assessment for all Council procurement contracts over $250k).

32. In conclusion, while work is still underway to finalise the actions proposed as part of the first regional emissions reduction plan, the vision for this document and key actions have been summarised above. A final draft will be presented at the next joint committee in July.

33. On a final note, decarbonisation work must also focus on the opportunities presented by transitioning to a lower emissions economy, for example new crop possibilities, new industries and employment opportunities; this requires a coordinated regional approach.

Next Steps

34. Establish a technical advisory group for the Joint Committee for Climate Action (see separate agenda item).

35. Finalise the draft emissions reduction chapters as outlined above and present to the Joint Committee in July.

36. Establish the process to develop actions in the deferred chapters, reinstating the practitioner group or establishing a new representative group given changes in availability, and topics proposed.

37. Continue to seek genuine mana whenua engagement for the development of appropriate actions to ensure an equitable transition to a lower emissions regional economy.

Decision Making Process

38. Staff have assessed the requirements of the Local Government Act 2002 in relation to this item and have concluded that, as this report is for information only, the decision making provisions do not apply.

Recommendation

That the Climate Action Joint Committee receives and notes the Emissions Reduction Plan staff report.

Authored by:

Pippa McKelvie-Sebileau

Climate Action Ambassador

Bryce Cullen

Transport Strategy ＆ Policy Analyst

Approved by:

Desiree Cull

Executive Officer to CE

Attachment/s

1	2022 Central Hawke's Bay Community Carbon Footprint	Under Separate Cover
2	2022 Hastings Community Carbon Footprint	Under Separate Cover
3	2022 Napier Community Carbon Footprint	Under Separate Cover
4	2022 Wairoa Community Carbon Footprint	Under Separate Cover
5 ⇩	2022 Hawke's Bay Region Community Carbon Footprint