Trevor Mallard
31 January, 2008
Good morning and thank you for the opportunity
to join you here today.
I am very pleased to
accept this important report prepared by
the Ministry for the Environment.
Environment New Zealand
2007 is significant as it provides a check
up on the health of our environment, and
charts New Zealand’s journey towards sustainability.
As Hugh Logan has said,
this is the first State of the Environment
report released under the ministry’s new
environmental reporting framework, signed
off by Cabinet just over a year ago. I look
forward to the next national report in five
years, and the planned annual updates on
specific topics.
This report builds on
the earlier 1997 report which I understand
is the equivalent of a "bestseller"
and has continued to be well used.
Environment New Zealand
2007 capitalises on huge improvements in
environmental reporting tools since that
earlier report. By capturing benchmark indicators,
we will build up a clear picture of trends
and pressures on our environment.
As a nation we strongly
value our environment – our clean green
environment is an integral part of our lifestyle
and a cornerstone of who we are and how
we are seen around the world.
Never before has there
been such interest in the well-being of
our environment.
Research shows that
nine out of ten New Zealanders consider
our environment to be important or very
important. We rate the quality of our natural
environment as the third most important
aspect of New Zealand.
As a nation we are also
aware that the environment underpins our
economy – the top 15cm of our topsoil alone
earns 17 per cent of our GDP.
Our farms, horticulture,
fishing and tourism sectors are our bread
and butter as well as our jam.
This report will guide
us so we can continue to leverage off our
valuable natural resources and maintain
the kiwi lifestyle that we are all proud
of, but in a sustainable way. A sustainable
economy cannot be built on plundering the
natural environment for short term gain.
As a nation we recognise
the importance of New Zealand’s clean green
reputation to our international markets
– it’s not only a source of pride, it is
also critical to our present and future
economic well-being as consumers the world
over seek out environmentally friendly and
climate friendly products and services.
But there are many challenges
and opportunities ahead for us to be sustainable
and retain access to our key markets.
The Labour-led government
has put sustainability at the heart of our
thinking and decision-making.
We are taking leadership
on sustainability and climate change issues
through a substantial range of initiatives
to help us reduce or mitigate our impact
on our environment – from the proposed emissions
trading scheme, support for households'
energy efficiency and solar heating, waste
reduction and recycling initiatives, environmental
standards on air and water through to the
multi million dollar funds for research
into sustainable primary production and
for sustainable land management.
The list is too huge
to for me to go into but the full range
of initiatives covering each area of focus
in the report is set out in the Cabinet
paper being released today.
Our quest for sustainability
and to be the first truly sustainable nation
could well become a defining characteristic
of our unique national identity – just as
our call to be nuclear-free defined us over
twenty years ago.
And we will have a fantastic
opportunity to show our leadership and commitment
to smart sustainable actions when we have
the honour of hosting the United Nation’s
World Environment Day on the 5th of June
this year. The theme, "Kick the Habit!
Towards a Low Carbon Economy", encourages
us to focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
While this report has
been formally presented to me as minister,
it really is a report for every one who
has a stake in our environment – not just
policy analysts, lobbyists, farmers and
business.
That's because the report
shows the impacts of our everyday activities
and choices: whether we’re in central or
local government, primary production, industry,
iwi, communities or as families and individuals.
In particular, I would
like to urge decision-makers from every
sector, including everyone here today, to
think about how they will respond to the
valuable information in Environment New
Zealand 2007. The report contains a wealth
of information and key indicators which
enable us to chart where we are now and
to help us plan where we are going from
here.
So how are we tracking?
As the Secretary for
the Environment has said, the report shows
there have been significant improvements
in some areas.
But we need to do other
things better, to retain our clean green
reputation. We simply cannot afford to be
complacent.
That is the point of
reports like this – they enable us to target
our policies and programmes towards the
emerging areas of concern while ensuring
we continue to gain rather than lose ground
on areas where things are tracking well.
I am optimistic that
by working together we can reinforce our
environmental standing and respond creatively
and with kiwi ingenuity to areas where more
work needs to be done. This of course is
not a job for government alone - we are
all stakeholders in and guardians of New
Zealand's precious natural environment.
Already, significant
leadership is also being shown by local
government, our industries and communities.
And we have some great
examples of collaboration in communities
around New Zealand. For instance, I’d like
to acknowledge initiatives like the Fiordland
Marine Guardians – made up of commercial
and recreational fishers, tourist operators,
dive clubs and conservationists. Together
they have developed a plan to protect and
sustain their unique marine environment
and established eight new marine reserves
of 9250 hectares.
The Dairying and Clean
Streams Accord is another excellent example
where central and local government, dairy
farmers and Fonterra are working together
to achieve clean, healthy waterways in dairying
areas.
And you will find many
more examples in the report of local actions
that are making a difference.
Of course, more can
be done, and we hope that this report leads
to even greater action.
I am confident that
by enhancing our environment credentials
New Zealand will remain internationally
competitive. New Zealanders are an innovative
"can do" lot; we’re techno savvy,
we work smart and hard, and we have huge
natural competitive advantages. If we can’t
do it, then who can?
In closing, I would
like to thank the ministry for its leadership
and commitment to this work. It was good
to hear you've won a national award for
the comprehensive and groundbreaking mapping
information the report contains.
Thanks also to all the
individuals and other organisations who
have contributed to this report.
I want to reiterate
that we are keen to work collaboratively
and constructively with you about how we
can meet the challenges and rise to the
many opportunities that true sustainability
and carbon neutrality offer New Zealand.
I hope Environment New
Zealand 2007 becomes another bestseller
and is still being used up until the release
of the next report in five years. Enjoy
the read.
