PCE’s report on Enviroment Aotearoa 2015 welcomed
PCE’s report on Environment Aotearoa 2015 welcomed
Statistics New Zealand and the Ministry for the Environment today welcomed the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment’s commentary on Environment Aotearoa 2015.
Secretary for the Environment Vicky Robertson said Dr Jan Wright’s contribution serves as valuable guidance at this early stage of the environmental reporting journey.
“The Ministry for the Environment and Statistics NZ want environmental reports to be useful to as many people as possible. Dr Wright’s report is very welcome in helping us achieve that goal,” Ms Robertson said.
Environment Aotearoa 2015 is the first time the Ministry for the Environment and Statistics NZ have worked in partnership to tell the story of New Zealand’s whole environment in the spirit of the new environmental reporting framework.
Government Statistician Liz MacPherson said the Ministry for the Environment and Statistics NZ will carefully consider Dr Wright’s recommendations.
“Where we can, we will work to incorporate some of these ideas into the marine domain report due to be released in October and the freshwater domain report out next April,” Ms MacPherson said.
“We took on board Dr Wright’s views about our 2014 report about air, and we look forward to working further with the PCE and her office to improve future reporting.”
Ms MacPherson said the new era of environmental reporting demanded innovative thinking and continual improvement. “We have great respect for the role the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment plays, and we value her perspective.”
Ms Robertson said environmental reports help build an evidence base using robust and relevant data. “This will become more comprehensive and valuable as we continue to produce these reports.”
More information:
Environment Aotearoa 2015 report: http://www.mfe.govt.nz/publications/environmental-reporting/environment-aotearoa-2015
Infographic: http://www.mfe.govt.nz/publications/environmental-reporting/new-zealands-environment-glance
Indicator pages: http://www.stats.govt.nz/browse_for_stats/environment/environmental-reporting-series/environmental-indicators/home.aspx