The New Zealand Government has released the first National Adaptation Plan, a plan for adapting to the irreversible effects of climate change in New Zealand for the period 2022-2028. he plan focuses on addressing the 43 priority risks from climate change identified in the government’s 2020 National Climate Change Risk Assessment.This initial NAP is important because it lays out the pivotal first steps New Zealand will take on its adaptation journey. Future adaptation action will be based on the foundations that are described in this first NAP. Key takeaways include:The Plan brings together in one place, more than 120 government actions – some of which are already underway. These actions support adaptation in several areas (including the built environment and the economy).It states that the costs of adaptation will be shared between asset and property owners, local and central government, insurance companies and banks.The government will develop new legislation (the Climate Adaptation Act) to address managed retreat.Beca submitted on the draft NAP asking for ‘urgency in NAP implementation together with targets and accountability’. It is pleasing to see the final NAP outlining some more specific references to implementation progress than first anticipated. This should allow easier tracking of achievement against the actions required to move New Zealand to a more resilient future.However, many of the plan’s critical actions will not commence for several years – for example the Climate Adaptation Act is not expected to become law until 2026. This is a long timeframe for a key piece of legislation, and so it will be important that progress is made towards adaptation in the meantime.Collaboration is going to be key in achieving the adaptation action required. The Plan acknowledges that various parties have a role to play in building resilience, including:Central governmentLocal governmentMāoriCommunitiesPrivate sector
The New Zealand Government has released the first National Adaptation Plan, a plan for adapting to the irreversible effects of climate change in New Zealand for the period 2022-2028. he plan focuses on addressing the 43 priority risks from climate change identified in the government’s 2020 National Climate Change Risk Assessment.This initial NAP is important because it lays out the pivotal first steps New Zealand will take on its adaptation journey. Future adaptation action will be based on the foundations that are described in this first NAP. Key takeaways include:The Plan brings together in one place, more than 120 government actions – some of which are already underway. These actions support adaptation in several areas (including the built environment and the economy).It states that the costs of adaptation will be shared between asset and property owners, local and central government, insurance companies and banks.The government will develop new legislation (the Climate Adaptation Act) to address managed retreat.Beca submitted on the draft NAP asking for ‘urgency in NAP implementation together with targets and accountability’. It is pleasing to see the final NAP outlining some more specific references to implementation progress than first anticipated. This should allow easier tracking of achievement against the actions required to move New Zealand to a more resilient future.However, many of the plan’s critical actions will not commence for several years – for example the Climate Adaptation Act is not expected to become law until 2026. This is a long timeframe for a key piece of legislation, and so it will be important that progress is made towards adaptation in the meantime.Collaboration is going to be key in achieving the adaptation action required. The Plan acknowledges that various parties have a role to play in building resilience, including:Central governmentLocal governmentMāoriCommunitiesPrivate sector
