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Green Plans in Action: New Zealand: Beyond the Borders
Sharing the Waste Cycle
A cooperative sustainable waste cycle support system has developed in the South Pacific between island nations. Disposal of many recyclables such as plastics and metal come to NZ from the islands. Some specialist chemical wastes, primarily old agricultural chemicals, are forwarded to Australia where they are broken down and components reused because NZ does not have the technology or facilities to process them. Likewise, fluorescent tubes are broken down and crushed parts sent on to Australia where all parts are reused. The Pacific Island nations of Tonga, Samoa, and the Cook Islands forward portions of their waste to NZ where the treatment process is completed.
Biosecurity - Border Management
NZ's terrestrial and marine ecosystems evolved in isolation, and in the absence of many predators, competitors and diseases, produced a unique floral and faunal biodiversity. However, with growing human density and international mobility it is becoming increasingly difficult to protect them, with exotic invasive insects, vertebrates, fish, and algae threatening NZ's unique biodiversity. (More...#1) The main legislation used to achieve biosecurity objectives are through the RMA and the Fisheries Act. Action plans have been devised through identification, assessment, and priortization of risks with the greatest efforts directed towards pre-border and border control of incoming airplanes and ships. (More...#2) NZ is establishing a world-first surveillance program as part of marine biosecurity in conjunction with a public surveillance network and marine invaders hotline. The Ministry of Fisheries is working with the International Maritime Organization in London towards international regulations for ballast water and hull fouling. The ultimate international solution for marine biosecurity would be a code of practice followed by ships around the world. This code includes having hulls cleaned before leaving for another country, and a requirement of ballast treatment systems that don't require the uptake and discharge of ballast.
International Dispute
Antarctica, defined for treaty purposes as all land and ice shelves south of the southern 60th parallel, is Earth's only uninhabited continent. From the early 1800s European explorers ventured into the great islands of ice. The Ross Dependency, named after expedition leader Sir James Ross, is an area comprising all islands and territories south of 60S latitude between 160E and 150W longitude. In 1923 the British took steps to assent sovereignty over Antarctic and entrusted it to the administration of New Zealand. The Russian Federation, United States and most other nations do not recognize territorial claims of other nations to Antarctica, and the matter is left unresolved. The scientific bases of Scott Base (NZ), McMurdo Station (USA), and the Amundensen-Scott South Pole Station (USA) currently form the only permanently occupied human habitations in the area. In 1959, 12 nations, including New Zealand, signed the Antarctic Treaty, which reserves the Antarctic for peaceful purposes. (More...)
Climate Change
NZ signed the Kyoto Protocol to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the effects of climate change. Emission limitations and reduction targets apply only to the "first commitment period" 2008 to 2012. NZ will have to negotiate rules and targets that are fair and protect national interests and competitiveness while meeting their commitment to the Protocol. NZ implemented its Montreal Protocol obligations through the Ozone Layer Protection Act of 1996, and has created a program for phasing out ozone depleting substances by 2015. (More...#1) The RMA (Climate Protection) Amendment Bill, introduced into the House in March 2006, requires councils to consider climate change in district plans. The Maori Party supports the Bill and calls upon the House to honor the history and expertise of local Maori weather watchers in developing strategies to achieve change. A number of Foundation Policies are in effect; however, the tools necessary to assist local councils in their district plans are not yet in place. Central and regional government leadership, collaboration, guidance, and information-sharing is essential for local governments to develop long-term community plans. Climate change programs and policy are led by the NZ Climate Change Office, within the Ministry for the Environment. (More...#2) New technologies will play a key role in identifying and managing issues around sustainable development. (More...#3) In 2007, the NZ Government invested $28 M to allow more research into climate change and ways to make New Zealanders' primary sector more productive and sustainable.
GMO Precautions
NZ GM is controlled under the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996 (HSNO). (More...#1) The nation's policy on use of GMOs is based on a cautious, case-by-case assessment of each application with opportunities for public submissions, and a rigorous assessment process by the Environmental Risk Management Authority (ERMA). (More...#2) Currently, no GM crops are grown commercially; no GM fruits, vegetables, or meats are sold; and processed foods can contain GM ingredients. Since 2002, accurate labeling of processed foods with over 1% GM ingredients are required. The debate on the benefits and safety continues worldwide, and GM food crops appear to have little, if any, market acceptability in NZ. The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) is responsible for enforcing the HSNO Act (More...#3) and has power under the HSNO and Biosecurity Acts to hold seeds at the border unless they have been tested and approved. In 2005 the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety entered into force in NZ. (More...#4)
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