Sustainable Land Management and Climate Change

Detail on Pillars 1, 3 and 4

Plan of Action

• Government wants a single Plan of Action covering climate change and the land management sectors (agriculture, horticulture and forestry • Climate change measures are a key component of sustainable land management – many actions will be mutually supportive • It is proposed that the Plan of Action will comprise 4 ‘Pillars’ – Pillar 1: Adapting to Climate Change – Pillar 2: Reducing Emissions and Enhancing Sinks – Pillar 3: Capitalising on Business Opportunities – Pillar 4: Working Together

Climate change in New Zealand

• Increasing frequency of severe climatic events – droughts, floods, storms, wind • Wetter in west, drier in east • Sea-level rise • Increased risk of forest fires • Changing growing seasons and regions • Biosecurity risks • Market issues • In New Zealand: – Drought costs in 1997/98 estimated at $1 billion – Lower North Island floods in 2004 estimated at over $300 million

Pillar 1: Adapting to climate change

• How can Government and the sector work together to help land managers adapt to changes in the climate?

– research; – information dissemination and technology transfer – improved planning; – infrastructure (e.g. flood works, water storage, irrigation); – forest establishment and catchment management.

• What processes do we need to put in place to enable government and the sector to work together on adaptation?

Pillar 3: Business opportunities

• Many opportunities including : – technologies to reduce methane and nitrous oxide; – low energy systems and products (biomaterials); – renewable energy; carbon farming; advisory services; – marketing initiatives; international opportunities e.g. Clean Development Mechanism.

• Response could include : – identifying specific initiatives (e.g. PFSI); – improving commercialisation of research; – creating markets; resourcing research and development; – raising public awareness; considering role of regulation and procurement policies • How can we work together to capitalise on business opportunities?

Pillar 4: Working together

• Climate Change isn’t going away • We need to find ways to work together in the future – Build on the work of other initiatives – Post 2012 – Strategic advice on climate change • Government wants enduring and constructive relationships • What process do you think we should put in place?