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?