Local councils play key role in climate change battle

The Chair of Auckland Council's Environment Forum believes local government is in a strong position to help the national and international effort to slow climate change.

In the wake of the announcement of proposed changes to the responsibilities of local government, Councillor Wayne Walker says the suggestion that councils have no role to play in reducing climate change is unfounded.

"Auckland Council is already involved in delivering public transport, protecting green areas, development planning, waste reduction and significantly reducing the council's own carbon footprint, all of which help reduce climate change," says Cr Walker.

"Auckland's goal is to reduce dangerous carbon emissions 40 per cent by 2040, and 50 per cent by 2050. Aucklanders have endorsed that goal through the Auckland Plan and these targets are consistent with the government's own goals to reduce climate change.

"We support the government's goal to have 90 per cent of electricity generated from renewable sources by 2025. Central and local government should be working together on this urgent global issue.

"Of course the council won't be bringing in an emissions trading scheme, that's the role of central government. However, all around the world cities lead the charge in reducing carbon emissions.

"For instance, the Mayor of New York leads the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group initiative that links cities together to share knowledge about how to deal with the climate change crisis. The Rio +20 event this year will bring together cities from around the world which are making a real difference now in how they reduce carbon emissions."

"Auckland Council is clear we need a strong focus on reducing climate change and we are working with business and communities to identify the best smart, sustainable and efficient opportunities to do this.

"Our work delivering the infrastructure and programmes to achieve that goal will continue."