Toi Moana Bay of Plenty Regional Council recognises the significant implications that climate change will have for the Bay of Plenty and the need for mitigation and adaptation actions, locally and region-wide.
After declaring a climate change emergency in June 2019, we committed to working with our sectors and communities on transitioning to a low carbon future and preparing ourselves for the changing climate. Our Climate Change Action Plan and Work Programme guides our work in this area, including a strong focus on reducing our own organisation’s emissions as a Toitu CarbonReduce certified organisation.
Our vision
Bay of Plenty Regional Council strengthens the long-term resilience and sustainability of the Bay of Plenty region through climate change action and awareness.
Our objectives
- Risks from climate change-related impacts are managed and resilience is increased through consistent adaptation planning based on best scientific information.
- Community awareness of climate change mitigation and adaptation solutions increases and organisations and individuals know what they can do to improve the long term resilience and sustainability of the region.
- Bay of Plenty Regional Council greenhouse gas emissions reduce across all areas of influence, including its own operations, helping to create the conditions for a smart, innovative, low-carbon regional economy.
Transformational shifts required for the Bay of Plenty
We recognise that transformational shifts are required in order to meet the region’s climate change challenges. These include:
- An engaged and aware community, enabled to take action.
- Transport emissions are significantly reduced across the region.
- Lower carbon energy supply and demand challenges are addressed.
- Land use planning results in emissions reductions and adaptation.
- Investors in our region support low carbon transitions.
- Significant investment occurs in natural carbon storage, including planting native trees.
We will:
Work collaboratively. Put science based evidence front and centre. Value Māturanga and Te Ao Māori in our approach. Align with national direction and commitments. Stimulate debate and innovative thinking. Factor in carbon footprints into our decision making.
