Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment's report welcomed

WWF-New Zealand today welcomed the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment's (PCE) commentary on the Government’s State of the Environment (SoE) report.

Responding to the review, WWF-New Zealand Executive Director Chris Howe said, "the Commissioner's review is a timely reminder to the Government that, while reporting on the State of the Environment is important, it is critical that where problems are identified this leads to action”.

“These actions include expanding marine protected areas and reducing New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions,” Mr Howe said.

“It’s great to hear today that the Parliamentary Commissioner also supports the inclusion of the exclusive economic zone in the MPA framework.

“WWF-New Zealand welcomes the Commissioner's report and supports its recommendations."

Under the requirements of the 2015 Environmental Reporting Act, the Ministry for the Environment (MfE) and Statistics New Zealand produced the first Environment Aotearoa report in October 2015. The review by the PCE is also mandated under the 2015 Act.

The review has recommended improvements to the way the SoE report is produced as well as requesting the MfE to set out the Government's policy response to the environmental problems highlighted in the report.

ENDS

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