23 Jun 2021

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Christchurch City Council has adopted a climate resilience strategy and put money in its Long Term Plan towards helping the city achieve its climate change goals.

“With the adoption of the Kia Tūroa Te Ao, Ōtautahi Climate Resilience Strategy 2021 we have a framework for action that will help Christchurch reach the target of net zero emissions by 2045,’’ says Councillor Sara Templeton, who chairs the Council’s Sustainability and Community Resilience Committee.

“In a signal of our commitment to implementing the strategy and in response to community calls for strong leadership in this area, we have included an additional $13.5 million in our Long Term Plan for a range of targeted climate and environmental initiatives.

“This is to support the significant investment that we have provided through the Long Term Plan for public and active transport and to building the resilience of our infrastructure so that we are prepared for the challenges of a changing climate,’’ Cr Templeton says.

Part of the additional $13.5 million in the LTP will go towards the Coastal Hazards Adaption Planning (CHAP) programme so the Council can proactively work with low-lying coastal and inland communities likely to be impacted by rising sea levels.

“We have more residents exposed to coastal flooding than any other major city in New Zealand. As sea levels rise, our low lying coastal and inland communities are increasingly going to experience more frequent flooding, as well as other coastal hazards. The additional funding will ensure this important work continues,’’ Cr Templeton says.

The Kia tūroa te ao, Ōtautahi Climate Resilience Strategy 2021 sets four climate goals for the city, which are underpinned by 10 climate action programmes.

“Now the strategy has been adopted, we need to work closely with our communities, Ngāi Tahu and the Papatipu Rūnanga, central government, stakeholders, businesses and organisations across Christchurch and Banks Peninsula to further develop and implement the action programmes.

“We’ll be establishing a Climate Leadership Group to oversee implementation of the strategy and we’ll setting up stakeholder groups that will focus on developing the action programmes. Working together, we can achieve our goals.’