Benson-Pope David: Resource Management (Climate Protection) Amendment Bill — First Reading 
Benson-Pope David: Resource Management (Climate Protection) Amendment Bill — First Reading 
[Volume:630;Page:2311] 
Hon DAVID BENSON-POPE (Minister for the Environment) 
: 
 Most members of this House accept that climate change is a serious threat to the future of this planet. Obviously after the discussions at question time today I would want to except Dr Brash from that generalisation. But I think we would all acknowledge that what changes we will face in our future daily lives and how they occur are at this point unknown. This Government is no different from any other Government in its effort to tackle greenhouse gas emissions in as many effective ways as possible. It is a huge pity that the National Party of today does not show the leadership Simon Upton displayed around these vital issues in the 1990s. I also note that the discussions we are having here right now are the inevitable consequence of this Parliament failing to support a carbon charging regime. 
As Minister for the Environment responsible for the Resource Management Act it is my belief that this Government and local bodies acting under that Act play a key role in effecting useful change in this country. We would all acknowledge that climate change is a very complex issue and I fully acknowledge alongside the Green Party’s co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons that the roles and responsibilities given to councils can be instrumental in how we might seek to reverse the greenhouse effect. In 2004 the Government amended the Resource Management Act to ensure that greenhouse gas emissions were to be managed at a local level. That amendment removed the ability of regional councils to consider climate change effects from point sources. Then however there was to have been a carbon tax. As Ms Fitzsimons recently stated this fundamental change has promoted this amendment bill and I quote her words: “Now that the proposed carbon charge has been cancelled it is essential to pass this bill and restore the power of local government to control pollution.” 
Members of this House may be aware that the Resource Management Act already contains express provision to manage greenhouse gases. When the Government made the amendments in 2004 national environmental standards were seen as a way of dealing with greenhouse gases and the standard for landfill gases is an example of how those standards have since been applied. However I acknowledge that a national environmental standard of this nature would require a gestation period of some time for development. In the meantime a number of applications could be made for greenhouse discharges which as Ms Fitzsimons has noted include the likes of coal-fired power stations at Marsden Point that gain consent with there being no ability to consider effects on climate change. 
As Minister for the Environment I support the continuation of the policy that provides for local authorities to play a role in decisions about this area. Nevertheless the question for the House surrounding this issue is whether this is achieved best through a national approach or—as this bill seeks to do—by regional councils considering the effects of climate change on a case by case basis. A consistent approach as to how one regional council might set limits compared with another elsewhere in the country is I believe fundamental to a fair and equitable economy. 
The effect of this bill will allow regional councils to consider climate change impacts when determining discharge consents in their own regions irrespective of whether a national environmental standard has been made and it may still be necessary that a national approach to limits is called for if disparities between regions were in that event to occur. This Government has recently embarked on a scoping exercise of this nature with a number of infrastructure-related topics alongside the changes made to the Resource Management Act last year. A national approach that delivers consistency throughout the country is central to this work. I believe that the select committee will need to be mindful of the need to ensure that national consistency will occur in order to give our economic drivers some cognisance. 
One thing is clear: the existing policy reflected in the Resource Management Act supports the role of local authorities and also the role of the Government in influencing people’s actions directly and indirectly. The Greens’ co-leader’s view that the power of local government to control pollution is one important step towards reversing climate change can be taken further. For example how carelessly we use our private cars on our road networks within the design of our cities is just as important. At this point we do not know whether any form of carbon charge will influence how business works and how things we take for granted will change. We do not yet know what a national energy strategy may state; these matters are yet to be debated and implemented. 
New Zealand’s contribution to climate change while small in comparison with international standards in no way absolves us of our international responsibility. This Government and the role of regional councils can have a major impact on these emissions. The policy behind this bill is not a significant shift from how the Act currently operates. The devolved system of governance in the resource consent process is an effective way of influencing actions that directly mitigate the effects of climate change and the challenge facing councils in achieving this in a consistent manner will be ongoing. 
Mr Deputy Speaker and members of the House the Government is supportive of any effort to tackle greenhouse gas emissions in as many effective ways as possible. In summary we support this member’s bill going to the select committee. I look forward to the outcome of that select committee process on what is a most complex but very urgent issue.