AUCKLAND CITY COUNCIL

MEDIA RELEASE

2 March 2007

Green light for sustainability initiatives

A three-year programme to spearhead Auckland City Council’s approach to sustainability was endorsed by the Urban Strategy and Governance Committee and referred to the Combined Committees for inclusion in budget planning.

The programme prioritises recommendations by the Mayoral Task Force on Sustainable Development and emphasises practical actions the council can take to reduce its own carbon footprint in response to climate change and global warming.

It is a mix of activities already budgeted and underway, planned by the council, or proposed by the task force in its report.

Recommendations to the committee sought additional funding of $600,000 a year for three years to achieve a balance of sustainability initiatives while giving greater emphasis to climate change issues.

Actions included:

• fast-tracking the council’s proposed corporate sustainability framework
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• developing a climate change adaptation plan for inclusion in all council policies and plans
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• advice and expertise to businesses wishing to adopt cleaner production and other sustainability measures
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• an eco-advisor service to advise on including sustainable features in buildings and developments
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Committee chairperson Dr Bruce Hucker said the funding would enable detailed work to be undertaken to help the council become carbon neutral through practical measures.

“Climate change and global warming are a reality and we have got to deal with it in our own backyard as a responsible community organisation,” he said.

“A strong theme in the mayoral task force report was for council to show leadership. It’s clear that greenhouse gas emissions, global warming and climate change represent the greatest sustainability challenges facing the council and we have to respond responsibly as a catalyst for action by the community at large.”

Ends

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