Councils tackle climate change despite poor legal safeguards

Councils tackle climate change despite poor legal safeguards
Councils in Canterbury are taking steps against climate change. (Image: NiStoc)
Greg Hurrell
Local body authorities are finding the lack of national legislative and financial support for climate adaptation a challenge.Without that framework to manage legal risks, councils are worried they don’t have enough of a legislative basis to manage legal risks such as when carrying out managed retreat. It is also feared that the public might lack confidence that plans made now would be followed through by future councils.The findings were part of an investigation by the auditor general into how well four sample councils were respondin...

More Climate Policy

Development levy system ‘music to the ears’
Opinion

Maria Slade: Development levy system ‘music to the ears’

New homeowners shouldn’t be paying to turn unusable land into suburbs, developers say.

Maria Slade 24 Mar 2025
Govt green fund’s BlackRock knockback
Finance

Govt green fund’s BlackRock knockback

The government-backed fund decided against participating last June.

Pattrick Smellie 05 Mar 2025
EECA says it is adapting to 27% budget cut
Climate Policy

EECA says it is adapting to 27% budget cut

Meanwhile, climate scientists are underwhelmed by the latest emission target.

Greg Hurrell 03 Feb 2025
Insurers and councils welcome better climate data
Climate change

Insurers and councils welcome better climate data

Niwa's new modelling forecasts 20% more rainfall from more cyclones.

Greg Hurrell 27 Jan 2025