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Green Plans in Action: New Zealand: Scientific Foundation
Science Behind the Policies
The Ministry of Research, Science and Technology (MoRST) is recognized as the primary adviser to the Government on policy that relates to research and innovation. They are involved in structuring and increasing the level of research and development in NZ, and commercializing the results of research. In addition, their role is to be certain social science research supports the needs of social policy development and that environmental research addresses the important environmental issues. They provide the government with scientific advice about current and emerging issues that challenge existing public policy. MoRST helps promote the development of policies based on sound science across different areas of government, and address environmental issues through an overall sustainable research approach. They give scientific and technical advice on how to better integrate the different parts of the research and innovation system, including strengthening the connections between research and the entrepreneurs and businesses turning research into economic value. MoRST contracts other agencies to manage the funding of projects carried out by research organizations, and encourages other departments to take responsibility for research needed to underpin their statutory or operational functions. (More...)
Connecting Science with Environmental Policy
A 'missing link' between science, policy-making and public interest is being strengthened by the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment (PCE). This issue is being addressed in an ongoing effort to increase solutions to environmental issues and meet the sustainable development of society's needs. Today's complex environmental issues require scientific research with long-term time frames, and must be more open to exploring the social dimensions of the issues. In addition, for scientific information to be effective in influencing environmental policy, it must be credible, salient and legitimate. The PCE is in the process of making recommendations for development of strategic, long-term, formal alliances with science providers to include scientific input through all policy cycles - from problem identification to monitoring and evaluation of policy outcomes. (More...)
World Class Science Enterprises
The Association of Crown Research Institutes, Inc. (ACRI) is a national voluntary organization for CRIs - a group of nine science research institutes owned by the Crown, the NZ government. They were formed in 1992, from previous government-owned research bodies and incorporate sustainability into their scientific methods. The CRIs are some of NZ's most significant commercial users of science and technology, creating economic, environmental and social wealth through science and its application in NZ and around the world. The CRIs undertake blue-sky and applied science and technology research and development, in many instances from the idea through to the commercial outcome. Their clients include central and local government and private sector markets in NZ and abroad.
Biosecurity
The lead agency in NZ's biosecurity system is Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) Biosecurity NZ. Science is of crucial importance to biosecurity through its input to managing risks, uncertainties, and ultimately the effectiveness of decisions. Although not directly based on RMA purpose and management, MAF incorporates sustainability principles into its overall purpose and objectives. The role of biosecurity, under the Division of the MAF, is to prevent importation of pests and diseases, and to control, manage, or eradicate them, or their damage, should they arrive. Biosecurity safeguards NZ's economy and environmental assets, health, plants and animals, and Maori taonga. This delicate balancing act requires sound judgment, expert science, compliance with international obligations, community engagement and coordinated actions with many other agencies and partners.
Carrying Capacity
An objective of NZ is to sustain the quality of the environment, and exceeding it leads to consequential, sometimes irreversible effects in all areas. The NZ government has agreed that sustainable development principles should underpin its economic, social and environmental policies at home and abroad. Applicants in the resource consent process must prepare a comprehensive Assessment of Environment Effects (AEE) in which carrying capacity may be taken into consideration. (More...)
Ecological Footprint
Sustainable management and development meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. One measure that can be used as an indicator of sustainability is ecological footprinting. An ecological footprint measures how much land is required to supply a particular country, region, city, business or individual with its living and lifestyle needs - that is food, housing, energy/fuel, transport, and consumer goods and services. The larger the footprint, the more resources are needed to support that lifestyle. (More...)
Check out your ecological footprint at Redefining Progress (More...)
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