27 May 2008
Media Statement

New Climate Change Guidance Manual Released
 
Release of guidance manual paves way for better planning around climate change
A guidance manual released today by the Ministry for the Environment provides the latest projections of the expected impacts of climate change on New Zealand, and advice for councils nationwide on tackling their effects.
The manual entitled Climate Change Effects and Impacts Assessment:  A guidance manual for local government in New Zealand was released today.
 
The guidance manual, which replaces and updates the 2004 version, is designed to help local government and other decision makers identify and quantify opportunities and risks that climate change presents.
Sue Powell, general manager of the Ministry for the Environment’s Local Government Group, says the manual provides useful information to plan for the future.
“I am proud to present our updated local government guidance manual. It provides us with the latest climate change information and methods for assessing risk.”
 
“It gives more detail and greater certainty than previously and provides councils and communities the opportunity to act now to minimise the impacts and maximise the opportunities associated with climate change.”
Ms Powell says councils and communities need to consider potential future impacts of climate change on their functions and services.
”Of particular importance are infrastructure and developments that will need to
cope with climate conditions not just now, but in 50 to 100 years time. Examples include storm-water drainage systems, irrigation schemes, and development of low-lying land already subject to flood risk,” she says.
 
Ms Powell believes that taking account of climate change now is likely to be cheaper in the long-run.
The manual released by the Ministry for the Environment was based on scientific information provided by the National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research (NIWA) and the 4th assessment report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
 
 
Climate Change Effects and Impacts Assessment:  A guidance manual for local government in New Zealand is available on: www.mfe.govt.nz/publications/climate/climate-change-effect-impacts-assessments-may08/
 
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