Climate change and sustainable development the role of indicators

1. Climate change and sustainable development � the role of indicators Rachel Hargreaves Ministry for the Environment, NEW ZEALAND 15 October 2008 4 million people but 40 million sheep (contributes to our high methane emissions � see profile of emissions)4 million people but 40 million sheep (contributes to our high methane emissions � see profile of emissions)

2. 2 Total land area: 268,021 sq km. About 32% is protected. Long and skinny country, and mountainous � travel and transport big issues. Population: 4,027,947Average age: 3687% live in urban areas (but our population density is very low; 4 million people in a country the size of UK or Japan) NZ made up of 3 islands, North Island, South Island and Stewart Island. Major cities are Auckland=1.1 million, Wellington=400,000(capital), Christchurch = 400,000. Temperature � 0-30 degrees. NZ is surrounded by oceans and most of our towns have easy access to the sea and beaches. 99% by volume of our exports are shipped by sea Fishing and marine farming are our 5th largest export industry. 14 National Parks from alpine peaks and glaciers to rainforests and beaches Mt Cook, NZ highest mountain 3754m 33 Marine Reserves (7% of our territorial sea) Pacific neighbours CC impacts Total land area: 268,021 sq km. About 32% is protected. Long and skinny country, and mountainous � travel and transport big issues. Population: 4,027,947Average age: 3687% live in urban areas (but our population density is very low; 4 million people in a country the size of UK or Japan) NZ made up of 3 islands, North Island, South Island and Stewart Island. Major cities are Auckland=1.1 million, Wellington=400,000(capital), Christchurch = 400,000. Temperature � 0-30 degrees. NZ is surrounded by oceans and most of our towns have easy access to the sea and beaches. 99% by volume of our exports are shipped by sea Fishing and marine farming are our 5th largest export industry. 14 National Parks from alpine peaks and glaciers to rainforests and beaches Mt Cook, NZ highest mountain 3754m 33 Marine Reserves (7% of our territorial sea) Pacific neighbours CC impacts

3. 3 Presentation Overview Existing indicators, our current profile, state and trend information Key policies and targets Summary of key information needs

4. 4 New Zealand a has a four pillar framework for sustainable development Cultural dimension is unique to New Zealand. Fourth dimension usually institutional / governance. Maori is partner to the Crown. Treaty of Waitangi (principles of partnership, rights and redress) Four well-beings mandated in law.Cultural dimension is unique to New Zealand. Fourth dimension usually institutional / governance. Maori is partner to the Crown. Treaty of Waitangi (principles of partnership, rights and redress) Four well-beings mandated in law.

5. 5 Maori is New Zealand�s indigenous people Te Reo Maori is the Maori language More sectoral sets under development: Ministry of Fisheries re fisheries impact and effort Biosecurity NZ re pest and alien species entering NZ / border control I have the main sets with me if you are interested.Maori is New Zealand�s indigenous people Te Reo Maori is the Maori language More sectoral sets under development: Ministry of Fisheries re fisheries impact and effort Biosecurity NZ re pest and alien species entering NZ / border control I have the main sets with me if you are interested.

6. 6 Existing indicators (climate change) Greenhouse gases: Information on emissions and removals of GHG�s (carbon dioxide,methane, nitrous oxide, sulphur hexaflouride, hydrofluorocarbons and perfluorocarbons) GHG Inventory (reporting to the UN) Climate change-related emissions (Ministry of Transport) GHG produced by the tourism sector (Ministry of Tourism) Agricultural emissions of nitrous oxide and methane (Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry) Others indicators for transport and energy (which complement the climate change set) Transport � because of transport issues Tourism � because we trade on our clean green image And Agriculture because our emissions profile is dominated by methane and nitrous oxideOthers indicators for transport and energy (which complement the climate change set) Transport � because of transport issues Tourism � because we trade on our clean green image And Agriculture because our emissions profile is dominated by methane and nitrous oxide

7. 7 Carbon dioxide contributes 47% of emissions and increased by 43% from 1990-2006 Methane contributes 35% of emissions and increased by 8% from 1990-2006 Nitrous oxide makes up 17% of emissions and increased by 28% from 1990-2006 Almost half our emissions come from pastoral agriculture, the backbone of our food exports. This presents a major challenge for New Zealand, because the technology currently available will achieve only limited emissions reductions in that sector. Substantial research and technology development is essential. Because of this unique profile, reducing our agricultural emissions is a top priority: Pastoral Greenhouse Gas Research Strategy ($5 million) The target is to have safe, cost-effective greenhouse gas abatement technologies, which will lower total New Zealand ruminant methane and nitrous oxide emissions by at least 20 percent as compared with the �business as usual� emissions level, by the end of the first commitment period (2012) For total per capita emissions NZ was ranked 12th worst in the world Carbon dioxide contributes 47% of emissions and increased by 43% from 1990-2006 Methane contributes 35% of emissions and increased by 8% from 1990-2006 Nitrous oxide makes up 17% of emissions and increased by 28% from 1990-2006 Almost half our emissions come from pastoral agriculture, the backbone of our food exports. This presents a major challenge for New Zealand, because the technology currently available will achieve only limited emissions reductions in that sector. Substantial research and technology development is essential. Because of this unique profile, reducing our agricultural emissions is a top priority: Pastoral Greenhouse Gas Research Strategy ($5 million) The target is to have safe, cost-effective greenhouse gas abatement technologies, which will lower total New Zealand ruminant methane and nitrous oxide emissions by at least 20 percent as compared with the �business as usual� emissions level, by the end of the first commitment period (2012) For total per capita emissions NZ was ranked 12th worst in the world

8. 8 Summarising state and trend information So, using the Ministry for the Environment�s indicator, which is �Information on emissions and removals of GHG�s� how are we doing. Top line (I have hard copies of this) This may seem simplistic (and we report on in much more detail elsewhere) but Ministers are interested in the highest level summary presented visually. information is in the left columns; TREND information is in the right hand columns. When benchmarking the state: If we sit in the top 10 of the OECD, we�ve assigned a green ? If we sit in the middle 10 of the OECD, we�ve assigned an orange ? If we sit in the bottom 10 of the OECD, we�ve assigned a red ? When examining the trend: If we are trending in the right direction = Getting better If there is no trend = Stable, OR the trend is mixed = Mixed If we are trending in the wrong direction = Getting worse So, using the Ministry for the Environment�s indicator, which is �Information on emissions and removals of GHG�s� how are we doing. Top line (I have hard copies of this) This may seem simplistic (and we report on in much more detail elsewhere) but Ministers are interested in the highest level summary presented visually. information is in the left columns; TREND information is in the right hand columns. When benchmarking the state: If we sit in the top 10 of the OECD, we�ve assigned a green ? If we sit in the middle 10 of the OECD, we�ve assigned an orange ? If we sit in the bottom 10 of the OECD, we�ve assigned a red ? When examining the trend: If we are trending in the right direction = Getting better If there is no trend = Stable, OR the trend is mixed = Mixed If we are trending in the wrong direction = Getting worse

9. 9 Compared to the UN DESA set for climate change Emissions of greenhouse gases Carbon dioxide emissions We align well with the whole DESA set in general. We don�t have nuclear power so radioactive waste doesn�t apply, not does desertification Very impressed with this set and acknowledge the amount of effort that has gone into them. Specifically for the cc indicators, we align completely. Interested to hear how other countries fit, who has adopted them and how.We align well with the whole DESA set in general. We don�t have nuclear power so radioactive waste doesn�t apply, not does desertification Very impressed with this set and acknowledge the amount of effort that has gone into them. Specifically for the cc indicators, we align completely. Interested to hear how other countries fit, who has adopted them and how.

10. 10 Climate change across government Emissions Trading Scheme (plus initiatives that complement the ETS) � 20 programmes International reporting and negotiations � 6 Communications - 7 Impacts and adaptation - 11 Research, science and technology - 7 Kyoto Balance Reporting � 3 (plus another 75 sector-based initiatives) Number of projects grouped according to these headings. All under review Plus for the first time a joint briefing to the incoming government on climate change issues Co-Benefits About 130 projects / programmes / policies underway For example, Projects to reduce agricultural emissions Projects to minimise fossil-fuel based energy Waste minimisation Projects that encourage modal shift from motorised transport to walking, cycling, public transport etc (Co-benefits)Number of projects grouped according to these headings. All under review Plus for the first time a joint briefing to the incoming government on climate change issues Co-Benefits About 130 projects / programmes / policies underway For example, Projects to reduce agricultural emissions Projects to minimise fossil-fuel based energy Waste minimisation Projects that encourage modal shift from motorised transport to walking, cycling, public transport etc (Co-benefits)

11. 11 Key targets Three key climate change-related targets for New Zealand: 90% of our electricity to come from renewable sources by 2025 Halve per capita domestic GHG transport emissions from 2007 levels by 2040 Kyoto Protocol: reducing GHG emissions back to 1990 levels, by 31 Dec 2012 (or take responsibility for the excess) A net increase in forest area of 250,000 hectares by 2020 Many more than three targets, but these are the ones with most media attention / cited most often. Overall comment � stretch / aspirationalMany more than three targets, but these are the ones with most media attention / cited most often. Overall comment � stretch / aspirational

12. 12 Key information needs Critical gaps: Indicators for measuring the effectiveness of policies (targets are used as proxy measures) Indicators that assess actions taken for adaptation reasons vs actions taken that have adaptation benefits Indicators that allow assessment of the avoided costs associated with the physical impacts of climate change Indicators that link climate change with social and cultural well-being Energy Accounts (including accurate and complete input / output tables) In summary, our key information needs are the following.In summary, our key information needs are the following.

13. 13 Summary New Zealand has shifted to a paradigm of co-operation around climate change We are a small country with a small population and we are very dependant on our biologically-based economy Moving to a low-carbon economy is an on-going challenge for us Large scale adjustments are required How is your country dealing with these issues? Even though we perform comparatively well in areas traditionally a challenge for others (eg we have high levels of renewable electricity generation), moving to a low carbon economy will be a challenge for us. High methane and nitrous oxide emissions (no immediate solutions) High dependence on fossil fuel transportation Large scale adjustments are requiredEven though we perform comparatively well in areas traditionally a challenge for others (eg we have high levels of renewable electricity generation), moving to a low carbon economy will be a challenge for us. High methane and nitrous oxide emissions (no immediate solutions) High dependence on fossil fuel transportation Large scale adjustments are required

14. Thank-you!