At an Extraordinary meeting on Thursday 16 May, Nelson City Council (NCC) declared a State of Climate Emergency in
recognition of the mounting advice from scientists and the United Nations that there is a small window for action to
avoid the most damaging effects of climate change.
By declaring a State of Climate Emergency, NCC joins 529 Councils in ten countries, as well as the United Kingdom and
Irish parliaments, in recognising that action on climate change needs to be prioritised at all levels of society and
government.
As a signatory to the Local Government Climate Change Declaration, Council last week welcomed the Government’s Climate
Change Response (Zero Carbon) Amendment Bill as evidence of the high priority that central government is also attaching
to the issue.
Council already has a programme of work on climate change underway, with more planned as outlined in the Annual Plan
consultation document. The State of Climate Change Emergency will emphasise NCC’s intention to play a key role in
leading the community toward a resilient and low emissions future and implementing adaptive measures that will help to
manage and minimise risk.
Mayor Rachel Reese says that the Annual Plan hearings this week have highlighted the strong support from submitters for
urgent action on climate change.
"Our vision is to be the Smart Little City and climate change leadership requires smart thinking and proactive decision
making," says Mayor Reese.
"We're going to need a new way of thinking and working to meet the expectations of our youth and of the next generation.
"Our region already has a reputation as a leader in scientific, environmental and business innovation. Council wants to
work alongside our business and community leaders to take an innovative approach to meet this challenge."
Mayor Reese says that the declaration is about prioritising collaboration across the wider community to take action on
climate change.
"This issue affects everyone in Nelson, and we need to harness the power of our business and community strengths to work
alongside the council, to look at how we can maintain our community well being into the future. Our community has the
capability to make a difference.
“Local Government plays a critical role in leadership on issues that affect us all, and today this Council has proven
the value of local democracy.
"By making the declaration, Council is committed to looking at how its plans, policies, and work programmes can support
action to address the climate emergency, and ensuring that a climate emergency strategy is embedded in all future
Council strategic plans."