Plans, projections and preparations in the Wellington region. A seminar by Alex Pezza and Richie Singleton

Date/Time
Date(s) - Thu 10 August
16:00 - 17:00

Location
CO304, Cotton Building, VUW


Abstract: As the impacts of climate change begin to manifest across the Wellington region, local communities require greater insight about the kind of future they will face. Councils are obligated to undertake climate change adaptation planning and require up to date, robust projections that will assist communities to manage uncertainty while preparing for inevitable change.

Greater Wellington Regional Council’s Senior Environmental Scientist Dr. Alex Pezza (Adjunct Research Associate SGEES) and Climate Change Advisor Richie Singleton will outline the changes projected for a range of climate variables to the end of the century, and discuss the challenges these pose for council adaptation planning. The projections are drawn from a recently released NIWA report, which GWRC commissioned to help it understand the impacts a changing climate will have on its functions and services. GWRC has a wide range of responsibilities including the sustainable management of natural resources (land, air, biodiversity and water), the provision of regional parks, flood protection, biosecurity management, ensuring a secure supply of safe high-quality water and planning, procuring and funding public transport services.

While the local government sector faces a number of limitations in addressing climate change, there is strong and growing recognition both internationally and within New Zealand, of the crucial role that councils can play in increasing climate resilience. Alex and Richie will summarise GWRC’s approach to addressing climate change and the opportunities and barriers facing a regional council committed to working with the community to meet the coming challenges.

All Welcome