|
Green Plans in Action: New Zealand: Milestones
100% Pure - Clean and Green
Tourism has long been important to NZ; it was the first country in the world with a national tourism organization. Over the past two decades tourism has become the number one export industry, is key to NZ's economy, and plays a substantial role in job creation. It is a vehicle for regional and community development for the Pakeha (European settlers) and because there is tourist interest in traditional Maori culture, fostering development of their community and businesses as well. Many tourists seek unique and unspoiled locations, and the RMA is the central mechanism for making sure the "100% Pure" advertising campaign is not exaggerated. In consideration of expanding tourism, industry and government worked together in partnership to develop the NZ Tourism Strategy 2015. This landmark document has a wide range of principles, objectives and incentives to promote the sustainable development of the tourist industry to 2015. A united tourism sector underscores the importance of tourism to the economy along with a higher level of commitment and vision to ensure that a foundation of sustainable tourism is realized. (More...)
Zero Waste
In 2002 NZ became the first country in the world to adopt a vision of zero waste. The NZ National Waste Strategy calls for voluntary zero waste by 2020, and a number of areas have already accomplished over a 70% reduction in waste through comprehensive recycling and recovery. Incorporation of the 5 R's - reduction, reuse, recycling, recovery, and residual management are resolving the waste processing issues. (More...#1) Since 2003, more than 220 tons of old and toxic chemicals have been removed from farms, and under an Agrichemicals Collection Scheme have been safely disposed. For examples of ZeroWaste contracts (More...#2)
Green Energy
The NZ Solar Water Heating Program promotes the use of solar energy by household with an estimated savings per household of per year, $450. The Government plans to invest $15.5M over the first three years of a five-year program to increase the use of solar heating in NZ. In 2005, hydro, geothermal and wind made up about 64% of total electricity generation! The draft NZ Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy released in 2006 has a target of installing 15,000 to 20,000 solar water heating units by 2010.
Protection of Old Growth Forests
Indigenous forests are a key part of NZ's environment and home to large numbers of unique wildlife, some of which are classified endangered or threatened. Exploitation for export coupled with land clearance and development policies resulted in a dramatic reduction of these forests. Largest of these trees are the kauri on the North Island, valuable for their timber and gum. (More...#1) Besides the kauri, remnant stands of old growth forests such as beech, rimu, taraire and tawa are scattered throughout NZ, particularly on the West Coast of the South Island. Over 80% of indigenous forests are owned by the Crown and fully protected under the Forest Amendment Act 1993, as well as a range of Acts under the RMA providing strengthened protection, management for conservation, heritage, and recreational activities. Harvesting of timber from these forests is prohibited by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and Department of Conservation except for very restricted cultural use, e.g., Maori consent may be granted for a windthrown tree to be milled and used for traditional carving. The remaining 17.1% are privately owned indigenous forests subject to sustainable management. (More...#2)
Marine Protection
In 1965 NZ's controlled fishing 3-mile coastal limit was expanded to a 12-mile fishing zone; in 1978 they created a nautical 12-200-mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Equivalent to 2.2M sq.km. NZ's EEZ is the fourth largest in the world. By the early 1980's fishing pressure had reduced the size of a number of fisheries, and NZ introduced a Quota Management System for sustainable fisheries management. Each year industry and the Ministry of Fisheries (MFish) work together to assess stock levels, and from these results yearly total allowable commercial catch for individual species are set. Although the EEZ is not directly under the RMA, the RMA has influenced the petroleum industry to follow voluntary environmental best management guidelines with the government to minimize environmental impacts of their work. The Ministry for the Environment, in consultation with other government agencies, is currently working on an Oceans Policy and Marine Protection Rule 200 to address EEZ comprehensive marine environmental management for fishing and discharges. In the meantime, MFish, and the Department of Conservation (responsible for coastal management under the RMA) jointly developed the Marine Protected Areas policy to create a network of marine protection. As part of this policy, Deepwater Fishing Industry leaders have already agreed to close 31% (1.2M sq.km.) of NZ's EEZ to bottom trawling and dredging, the world's largest EEZ marine conservation measure within a nation state's EEZ. (More...)
Environment Court
The RMA sets out the provisions for an Environment Court within the NZ Justice System. The Act also provides for penalties, including substantial fines, for being in breach of the law and local consents. The Court is led by a Judge, who is a specialist in environmental law, and three lay members (Commissioners) with a background in resource management, e.g. planners, engineers, Maori tikanga (practices). There are Courts based in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch from where the Court goes on circuit to the most appropriate place for the case before it. The Court hears cases brought to it from the beginning so that it has all the evidence placed before it. Decisions are made according to criteria and process laid out in the RMA and by precedent decisions of this Court and the higher Courts. Matters of law can only be appealed to the High Court. Case Law from all Court decisions is a central part of any submissions by legal counsel.
|
