HAWKE’S BAY REGIONAL COUNCIL
Climate
Action Joint Committee
18
November 2024
Subject:
Regional Climate Change Risk Assessment
Reason for report
1. This report provides an update on the
regional climate change risk assessment project. It also seeks the Climate
Action Joint Committee’s endorsement of the communications approach to
support the public release of the regional climate change risk assessment
report.
Background
2. In August 2024, the Climate Action
Joint Committee (Joint Committee) directed the Climate Action Technical
Advisory Group (TAG) to prioritise workstream 1 of the Climate Action work
programme, and to proceed at pace in undertaking Hawke’s Bay’s
first Regional Climate Change Risk Assessment (Risk Assessment).
3. There was acknowledgement by the Joint
Committee that completing this first Risk Assessment is a starting point
– that while there will be some data gaps, the intent with this first
assessment is to bring together existing data and information to form a
cohesive picture of what we do know about climate change risks for the region.
4. The Joint Committee also directed that
this first phase be completed as quickly as possible to enable the Joint
Committee and councils to move forward with future phases of work, such as
engagement with communities to prioritise risks and action, and asset
management planning. The Joint Committee asked the TAG to confirm a revised
approach and timeframes to give effect to this direction as soon as possible
following the meeting. This was provided in September 2024 directly to Joint
Committee members between meetings as requested.
Discussion
Update on progress since August 2024
5. The TAG subsequently engaged technical
specialists Urban Intelligence to undertake the regional climate change risk
assessment and produce a public-facing risk assessment report in early 2025.
This was possible due to confirmation of joint funding through Long Term Plans
for climate action, and work that had been started by Hawke’s Bay
Regional Council and Urban Intelligence to develop Urban Intelligence’s
spatial risk assessment tool, the Resilience Explorer, for Hawke’s Bay.
6. Following approval from the Joint
Committee on the revised approach, work has progressed quickly and the
assessment is well underway. In the last two months, the focus has been on
collating and requesting data and information from the five councils, CDEM and
critical lifelines to inform the assessment. All five councils are
collaborating to share data and progress this work, including through
attendance at practitioner workshops led by the Urban Intelligence team.
7. Urban Intelligence will provide an
update at this meeting on progress to date and a high-level overview of what to
expect to see in the final report. Their presentation will cover the risk
assessment approach for Hawke’s Bay, including:
7.1. An overview of what the risk
assessment is and what it will enable
7.2. A snapshot of how the risk assessment
project is progressing
7.3. A description/example of the types of
outputs that can be anticipated from the risk assessment.
8. The update will not provide detail of
the assessment itself, given the assessment is still being undertaken. The
purpose of providing this update is to provide visibility of the work underway
and information about the form and scope of the final report, prior to its
finalisation and planned public release in early 2025. The TAG is planning to
bring the final report to the Joint Committee in early March 2025.
9. The final risk assessment report will
be a public resource to:
9.1. enable everyone – communities
and mana whenua, industries and businesses, public services (schools,
hospitals), lifeline service providers, local and central government – to
make climate-informed decisions based on best available evidence and
information
9.2. inform long-term climate adaptation
planning and decision-making at regional and district levels
9.3. support council and community
conversations about adaptation priorities and actions that can have both short
term and intergenerational impact.
Communications support for the release of the report
10. The TAG has identified a need for
communications support for the release of the report. Following an update from
Urban Intelligence at the meeting, the communications approach for the public
release of the report (planned for March 2025) will be presented for the Joint
Committee’s endorsement. This will be presented by Reputation Matters and
will include:
10.1. communication objectives and outcomes
10.2. specific considerations influencing
the approach to the report’s release
10.3. the key audiences for the
report’s release
10.4. a summary of the communication collateral
that will be prepared for the report’s release.
Financial
and resource implications
11. There are no financial or resourcing
implications from decisions sought through this paper.
Decision-making considerations
12. Councils and 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 to seek endorsement of
the communication approach is not significant under the criteria contained in
Hawke’s Bay Regional Council’s adopted Significance and Engagement
Policy and the Joint Committee can exercise its discretion and make a decision
without consulting with the community.
Recommendations
That
the Climate Action Joint Committee:
1. Receives and considers the Regional
Climate Change Risk Assessment staff report.
2. Endorses the communications approach
for the release of the Regional Climate Change Risk Assessment report.
Authored by:
|
Amberley Gibson
Climate Change Lead Strategic
Advisor
|
|
Approved by:
|
Desiree Cull
Strategy & Governance Manager
|
|
Attachment/s
There are no attachments for this
report.
HAWKE’S BAY REGIONAL COUNCIL
Climate
Action Joint Committee
Monday 18
November 2024
Subject: Update on Climate Action work
programme
Reason for report
1. This paper provides an update on the
climate action work programme (attachment 1), including specific updates
on the regional climate change risk assessment (workstream 1) and progress on
the Māori climate action workstream in relation to this project.
Background
2. In August 2024, the Climate Action
Joint Committee (the Joint Committee) endorsed a work programme for the
remainder of the triennium. They directed the Climate Action TAG to prioritise ‘Workstream
1: Climate risk information to support evidence-based decision-making’,
and to proceed with pace to ensure significant progress was made on a regional
climate change risk assessment this triennium. The work programme also included
a proposed workstream for Māori climate action (workstream 2.1), noting
further work was needed to co-design this workstream.
3. At this meeting, the Joint Committee
endorsed the work programme on the basis it was adjusted to reflect their
direction for workstream 1 to progress in two phases.
3.1. Phase 1: Bringing together existing
available datasets and information to produce an initial regional climate
change risk assessment, noting there would be some data gaps and that future
iterations of the risk assessment could potentially have a greater scope and
involve engagement.
3.2. Phase 2: To be determined following
publication of the report, but could include future iterations of the risk
assessment, investment in critical data gaps, and community engagement about
climate adaptation action.
4. There was acknowledgement that future
work to build on the risk assessment following the completion of phase one
would likely require engagement with communities, including mana whenua. The
TAG noted in their advice to the Joint Committee that this engagement would be
a critical qualitative step for understanding and assessing vulnerability to
different climate risks. There was broad agreement that this first phase (a
desktop exercise to produce a risk assessment report) is starting point and
foundation for future work.
Discussion
5. Based on the direction provided, the
TAG has moved quickly to undertake phase one. The regional climate change risk
assessment project started in September 2024. The TAG has engaged technical
specialists Urban Intelligence to lead this work, leveraging existing data and
information to produce a risk assessment report in phase one.
6. An update on the progress of the risk
assessment, including project milestones and timeframes, is outlined in a
separate report for this meeting (item one) and is therefore not repeated here.
7. Moving at this pace has required
significant resource commitment from the TAG and has meant adjustments to the
work programme presented in August have been made. Sequencing of other work
planned in workstreams 2 and 3 has been delayed to 2025. To explain this, attachment
1 to this report includes:
7.1. the original work programme presented
in August
7.2. an updated version of this work
programme that reflects the resourcing priority given to the climate risk
assessment, with some pieces of work removed or delayed until a later date
7.3. a zoomed-in view of work being
progressed within workstream 1, including key project milestones for the
climate risk assessment.
8. The TAG will provide an update on the
climate action work programme as a standing item at future Joint Committee
meetings. The TAG notes the work programme is likely to evolve in 2025 in
response to any future Joint Committee decisions following or alongside the
release of the regional climate change risk assessment report in early 2025.
Māori climate action workstream & Māori
Partnerships advice and support
9. The Climate Action TAG is
collaborating with staff across the five councils to support the Joint
Committee in delivering the climate change risk assessment. Prior to the August
Joint Committee meeting, the TAG identified Māori Partnerships staff involvement
as essential to the project’s success and proposed close collaboration to
establish next steps for tangata whenua participation in work progressed
through workstream 1. This was alongside internal conversations during
development of the climate action work programme about potential options for
developing a Māori climate workstream.
10. The risk assessment project marks the
first time the Joint Committee has actively sought tangata whenua involvement
beyond committee discussions. To strategically manage capacity and maximise
in-house resources, Māori Partnerships staff have been engaged in phase
one to support the thorough desktop assessment. This approach leverages
internal expertise and builds a foundation for deeper involvement in the next
phases. Staff recommend that Māori Partnerships representatives from the
five councils continue their active involvement to ensure there is a pathway
for tangata whenua input within the four Hawke’s Bay districts.
11. Throughout August and September, HBRC
staff reached out to tangata whenua representatives on the Joint Committee with
invitations to the workshop held on 4 November.
12. Tangata whenua representatives on the
Joint Committee were then invited to contribute a Te Ao Māori perspective
into phase one at a practitioner workshop held on 4 November 2024. Maori
partnerships staff were also invited to highlight what tangata whenua input
would look like in the context of a risk assessment. The purpose of this
workshop was to capture input and perspectives on key climate risks for the
region and was led by Urban Intelligence. The invitation was extended to the
Māori Units of the territorial authorities, with representatives from all
five councils attending. This cross-council involvement strengthens the
collaborative approach of this mahi and aligns with the intent to incorporate
diverse Māori perspectives.
13. An update on the regional climate
change risk assessment was provided by HBRC staff to the Regional
Council’s Māori Committee on 6 November 2024. Strong interest and
support for the project was expressed, with a request for another update at the
Committee’s first meeting in the new year. A briefing meeting with
tangata whenua Joint Committee members is also scheduled with HBRC staff in
preparation for the upcoming Joint Committee meeting on 18 November.
Next
steps
14. In August, the Joint Committee
directed that any community engagement for risk assessment work (such as risk
prioritisation and adaptation planning) should occur during the second phase of
work, following the risk assessment report being published.
15. It is recommended that tangata whenua
involvement in future phases of the risk assessment work be prioritised to
ensure a Te Ao Māori view and Mātauranga Māori are appropriately
integrated into this work. Māori Partnerships representatives from the
five councils continue their active involvement to ensure a sustained Te Ao
Māori consideration throughout phase 1 of the project.
Decision-making considerations
16. 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 Update on the climate action work programme staff
report.
Authored by:
|
Amberley Gibson
Climate Change Lead Strategic
Advisor
|
Jack Smith-Ballingall
Manager, Central & Internal Relationships
|
Approved by:
|
Desiree Cull
Strategy & Governance Manager
|
Te Wairama Munro
Te Pou Whakarae
|
Attachment/s
|
1⇩
|
Updated climate action work
programme - November 2024
|
|
|
HAWKE’S BAY REGIONAL COUNCIL
Climate
Action Joint Committee
Monday 18
November 2024
Subject: Napier City Council Emissions
Reduction Plan
Reason
for report
1. The purpose of this report is to share
Napier City Council’s Emission Reduction Plan (ERP) with the Climate
Action Joint Committee members. This plan sets out how Napier City
Council (NCC) will reduce its own emissions and facilitate a reduction in
community emissions, working towards a target of net zero emissions by 2050.
2. It also provides a brief update on
emissions reduction work underway at other Hawke’s Bay councils.
Background
3. The science (and increasingly our own
experience of severe floods, droughts, wildfires and storms) tells us that
taking action on climate change is of paramount urgency and importance.
It is critical that the world limits warming to 1.5˚C above pre-industrial
levels. Additional greenhouse gas emissions will increase warming and the
impacts of climate change.
4. Exceeding 1.5˚C increases the
risk of long-lasting or irreversible impacts such as the loss of ecosystems and
sea level rise that will put much of Napier at risk. Council efforts to reduce
their own emissions is an important demonstration of climate leadership, and
role models the kind of efforts other organisations can take to reduce their
carbon footprints. The first step to supporting others with emissions reduction
is to get our own houses in order.
5. The Climate Action work programme
presented to the Joint Committee in August 2024 included a workstream
‘Monitoring and reporting on climate action’ progress. This
includes work to update the regional carbon footprint, and a commitment from the
Climate Action Technical Advisory Group (TAG) to provide visibility of the
emissions reduction progress councils are making within their own
organisations. The TAG is also committed to sharing knowledge and working
collaboratively across councils to support each other in undertaking this work.
Context
for this work
National targets, emission reduction plans and previous
NCC commitments
6. In 2016 Aotearoa New Zealand ratified
the Paris Climate Accord along with 189 other countries committing to keep
global temperatures to 1.5 degrees of warming. In 2020, the Climate Change
Response Act committed in legislation the following national emission reduction
targets:
6.1. net zero greenhouse gas emissions by
2050 (with the exception of biogenic methane)
6.2. 24-47% reduction in biogenic methane
by 2050 including a 10 per cent reduction below 2017 biogenic methane emissions
by 2030.
7. In 2017, NCC signed the Local
Government Leaders Climate Change Declaration declaring an urgent need for
responsive leadership and a holistic response to climate change.
8. In 2021, NCC adopted a Climate
Position Statement with one of the objectives to commit to an emissions
reduction target in its next Long-Term Plan. The Statement also committed NCC
to:
8.1. lead urgent action to address local
climate change risk
8.2. ensure climate solutions are equitable
8.3. support an evidential science-based
approach
8.4. value mātauranga and te ao
Māori in their approach
8.5. align with national direction and
commitments
8.6. factor carbon footprints into its
decision making.
9. In May 2022 the Government published
New Zealand’s first national emissions reduction plan. This sets the
direction for climate action for the next 15 years through to 2035, laying out
targets and required actions for every sector of the economy. A draft second
emission reduction plan is currently out for consultation and will be adopted
by the end of 2024.
Napier City Council’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions
10. Under NCC’s Three-Year Plan
(2024-27) and Financially Sustainable strategic priority a comprehensive
organisational greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory was prepared using 2023 data and
in alignment with the ISO14064 reporting standard. This inventory was
independently verified, ensuring it was accurate and included all material
emission sources, and now forms NCC’s baseline for reporting
purposes. These results were presented to the June meeting of the
Prosperous Napier Committee.
11. NCC’s activities in 2023
resulted in 36,112 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions, approximately 8% of the
total emissions across Napier.
12. As outlined in Figure 1 (below), this
includes the energy NCC uses in its facilities, buildings and streetlights, the
petrol and diesel used by vehicles and equipment, wastewater treatment,
agricultural activities at Lagoon Farm, waste going to landfill, emissions
associated with building and maintaining infrastructure, delivering services
like kerbside waste and recycling collections, staff commuting and the
procurement of goods and services.
Discussion
NCC’s approach to setting an Emission Reduction
Target
13. The approach to setting emission
reduction targets for NCC is aligned with the Science-Based Targets Initiative
(SBTi) methodology and the ISO Net Zero Guidelines. Science-based targets must
be measurable, actionable and time bound and set in line with the goals of the
global Paris Climate Agreement limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius
above pre-industrial levels.
14. A science-based target is also one of
the key criteria for Local Government Funding Agency (LGFA) Climate Action
Loans. While NCC does not meet the requirements for this funding yet, it is
logical to make sure we set targets aligned with this future funding
opportunity.
15. Any credible long-term net zero target
must also be complemented by an interim target with a clear plan of action on
how to meet those targets. Reducing gross emissions in the next decade is
critical if we are to avoid locking in the most catastrophic impact.
16. Achieving a target of net zero carbon
emissions requires aspirational change, and the sooner we get started the more
time we have to make the fundamental behavioral and operational changes that
are needed to achieve this goal. Setting a target delivers on the commitment
NCC already made in the 2021 Climate Position Statement.
NCC’s
Emission Reduction targets
Long term target
17. Reduce NCC’s Scope 1+2
greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050
18. Facilitate a reduction in Napier
City’s community greenhouse gas emissions to achieve net zero by 2050.
Interim term target
19. Reduce NCC’s Scope 1+2 emissions
by 63% by 2035
20. Facilitate a reduction in NCC’s
Scope 3 emissions by 63% by 2035
21. The interim target year of 2035 is
recommended as it recognises NCC is only just starting out on its emission
reduction journey and it will take time to embed this into all of NCC’s
functions. It also aligns with the Government’s emission reduction plan
and first three emission budget periods. A 2035 target aligns with NCC’s
strategic planning timeframes covering the current Three-Year Plan (2024-27)
and the next Long Term Plan (2027-2037).
22. In line with SBTi requirements, if
Scope 3 emissions are 40% or more of the total emissions, they must be included
in the interim science-based targets. NCC’s Scope 3 emissions were
calculated at 82% of the total baseline emissions.
Process to
develop the Napier City Council Emission Reduction Plan
23. The Emission Reduction Plan was
developed via a thorough process including:
23.1. calculation of the baseline GHG
inventory to understand emission sources across the NCC
23.2. independent verification of the GHG
inventory ensuring accuracy and completeness
23.3. engagement with NCC officers to
understand the emission reduction potential for each source of GHG emissions,
current and future plans
23.4. research into potential emission
reduction actions applicable to NCC’s assets
23.5. developing relationships with EECA,
Meridian, Water NZ, Aotearoa Council Climate Network, LGNZ, Mott MacDonald and
selected suppliers to understand emission reduction opportunities
23.6. reviews of selected other
councils’ targets and emission reduction plans
23.7. draft ERP sections and proposed
actions reviewed by NCC officers, with feedback incorporated
23.8. cross referencing the actions with the
capital budgets in the recently adopted NCC three-year plan and 10-year
infrastructure plan to confirm budget provisions
23.9. presentation and detailed review of
the draft ERP to NCC ELT on 2/07/24 and 6/08/24
23.10. NCC ELT feedback incorporated into
plan presented to Prosperous Napier 29/08/24
23.11. NCC elected members approved ERP at
the Prosperous Napier Committee 29/08/24.
The Napier City Council Emission Reduction Plan
24. The attached Emission Reduction Plan (ERP) outlines 30
tangible and measurable actions that will start NCC on the journey to reduce
NCC’s operational emissions to net zero by 2050 and facilitate a
reduction in Napier City’s community emissions.
25. It brings together many projects NCC
is already doing for other good reasons – actions to demonstrate leadership
and embed this work as a priority across council, to scope future opportunities
and deliver projects in partnership with others.
26. It should be recognised that this is
an initial plan to get NCC started, while they set themselves up for success.
The plan will need to be revised over the coming years, as NCC improves their
understanding of
emissions associated with the infrastructure they invest in, the services they
deliver and take account of new technologies, government initiatives and
respond to community priorities.
27. The next steps for NCC are to progress
the 30 actions with a focus on those in the leadership category. Staff are also making progress with
energy audits at 7 facilities with EECA support, plans to replace gas boilers
at two sites, installing EV chargers in partnership with Meridian, Workride,
updating NCC’s Code of Practice for Subdivision, specifying lower carbon
concrete and other materials, adding waste diversion KPIs to projects –
to note just a few examples.
28. Napier City Council’s Emission
Reduction Plan is being shared with the Climate Action Joint Committee to provide an example of how NCC is
approaching its emission reduction journey. It is primarily an inward-looking
plan, with NCC taking responsibility for the emissions that are under its
direct control or it can influence, before asking its community to also make
the changes that will be required by all of us as we transition to a low carbon
future.
Emission
reduction work underway across other Hawke’s Bay councils
29. Hawke’s Bay Regional Council (HBRC) has had three carbon
inventories completed for the previous five years (FY 19-20 (baseline year)
through 23-24). Given
HBRC’s emissions exceed 1000 tonnes, independent carbon footprint audits
have also been completed to verify our emissions.
30. For context, the latest regional gross
emissions for 2021-22 was 4,340,000 tonnes.
31. The 2023-24 emissions decreased by 17%
from 2022-23. The majority of emissions (73%) come from mobile combustion
(fleet), with 18% from bulk diesel storage (for HBRC’s heavy mechanical
plant in Guppy Road), natural gas (2.8%), electricity (2.6%), and domestic air
travel (3.85%) are the remaining main contributors. All other (recorded)
activities make up the remaining emissions.
32. The 17% reduction in 2023-24 is
considered by staff to be very likely connected to the HBRC Cyclone Gabrielle
response in 2022-23 and our heavy reliance on diesel through this period. The
2023-24 year is considered more likely to be a true baseline reflection of HBRC
business operations.
33. HBRC does not have a formal ERP,
however, emission reduction initiatives are underway, including:
33.1. exploration of ‘Green
loans’ through the New Zealand Local Government Funding Agency (LGFA).
HBRC has undergone a review of implementation and compliance costs in order to
meet SBTi (Science Based Targets) which form the basis of the loan requirements
33.2. ongoing replacement of building
lighting with LED
33.3. engaging external review of our
current fleet to review private commuting and utilisation with an aim to reduce
our mobile combustion emissions
33.4. increasing staff awareness sustainable
practices and initiatives, at work and at home, through the HBRC Green Group
and regular internal communications
33.5. regular fleet reporting to highlight
and surface trends and to influence driver behaviour change
33.6. roll out of Liftandgo, our carpooling
app for HBRC staff.
34. Hastings District Council (HDC) has had their first two carbon
data inventories (covering FY ending June 2022 and FY ending June 2023)
independently audited, with the final reports received late October 2024. These
reports can be used by HDC staff to guide the development of an Emissions
Reduction Plan (ERP).
|
Financial year
|
Scope 1 (tonnes of CO2e)
|
Scope 2 (tonnes of CO2e)
|
Scope 3 (tonnes of CO2e)
|
Total Emissions (tonnes of CO2e)
|
|
2022
|
4,255.00
|
1,814.30
|
6,182.21
|
12,251.51
|
|
2023
|
4,543.30
|
1,280.14
|
6,590.35
|
12,413.79
|
35. While work to produce an ERP is still in early development,
other actions are being investigated to reduce HDC emissions. These include:
35.1. energy audit trial in progress at the
Lyndon Road Central Administration Building (CAB)
35.2. business case planning for solar power
systems at various HDC sites
35.3. development of an energy transition
(decarbonisation) policy for HDC facilities
35.4. increasing waste diversion streams via
new initiatives at Henderson Road Transfer Station
35.5. investigations into low-carbon active
transport options
35.6. assessing feasibility of no-mow and
wild-flower trials in some parks and public spaces.
Next
steps
36. The Climate Action TAG will consider
how to best share knowledge and learnings about work undertaken to date with
each other, including potential options for supporting all five councils and
PSGEs to understand their organisational emissions profile and mitigation
options. This is indicated in the updated Climate Action work programme as
likely to commence in April 2025, following public release of the regional
climate change risk assessment report.
Decision-making
considerations
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 Napier City Council Emissions Reduction Plan
staff report.
Authored by:
|
Michelle Duncan
Carbon Emissions Advisor, NCC
|
|
Approved by:
|
Stephanie Murphy
Manager Strategy and Development,
NCC
|
|
Attachment/s
|
1
|
NCC Emission Reduction Plan
2025-2035
|
|
Under Separate Cover
|
