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Our Environment

Climate Change

Climate Change in CanterburyThe burning of fossil fuels produces the greenhouse gases carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide, among others. Since the Industrial Revolution (mid-late 1700s), the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere has increased by approximately 30%.  In New Zealand, these greenhouse gases stem primarily from the burning of fossil fuels for transport or electricity generation, and from agriculture including farm animals, soil and fertiliser.

These particular gases contribute significantly to the greenhouse effect and are strongly believed to be a major cause of global climate change. There is now little doubt from the existing and emerging scientific evidence that climate change is a real phenomenon, one which will significantly affect humankind during the course of this century and beyond. The scientific findings are complemented by other significant releases in the public domain in 2006 including the release of former US Vice-President Al Gore’s film “An Inconvenient Truth” Leaving Environment Canterbury and the “The Stern Review on the Economics of Climate Change” Leaving Environment Canterbury.


Canterbury needs to be prepared for this future, to make the most of opportunities, and to avoid or mitigate the problems.  We also need to know what that future might bring.  Environment Canterbury’s Climate Change Report sets out the climate change projections for Canterbury, and discusses how the changed climate might impact on Canterbury, including our coasts, water, plants and animals, our communities, and the local economy. This report is an analysis of the policy considerations for climate change for the Review of the Canterbury Regional Policy Statement. Read the report and supporting media release (14 February 2007).

ECan is also active in developing its capabilities at a more practical level in regard to the challenges posed by climate change. This includes being a member of the Communities for Climate Protection Leaving Environment Canterbury programme, a government initiative delivered by ICLEI-A/NZ. This programme is part of ICLEI's international Cities for Climate Protection campaign.


Environment Canterbury has also made a submission on the  New Zealand Energy Strategy climate change documents.
PDF Document Read our submission File Size 103kb

We have  also contributed to a submission made by Local Government New Zealand. 
PDF Document Read our submission File Size 116kb

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