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News from the Ministry

Cabinet paper on proposals for Exclusive Economic Zone environmental effects legislation

The Cabinet paper on proposals for Exclusive Economic Zone environmental effects legislation is now available. [27 June 2008]

June issue of 'talk sustainability' now available

This monthly newsletter provides information on central and local government sustainability initiatives. It includes information on policy work and activities that are helping New Zealanders take practical steps to live more sustainably. The June 2008 issue covers World Environment Day. [17 June 2008]

2008 Green Ribbon Awards winners

The 2008 Green Ribbon Awards have taken place, honouring the outstanding contributions to the environment and heralding the beginning of events celebrating New Zealand’s hosting of World Environment Day. [6 June 2008]

Speech: Communities for Climate Protection – New Zealand 2008 National Forum

Howard Fancy, Acting Chief Executive, addressed the 2008 Communities for Climate Protection (CCP-NZ) national forum on 2 April 2008. The CCP-NZ programme works with local government to measure their greenhouse gas emissions and to develop and implement action plans to reduce them. [28 May 2008]

Release of guidance manual paves way for better planning around climate change

A guidance manual released today by the Ministry for the Environment provides the latest projections of the expected impacts of climate change on New Zealand, and advice for councils nationwide on tackling their effects. [27 May 2008]

Cabinet paper: Report back on development of national environmental standards for electricity transmission

This Cabinet paper proposes to reevaluate the draft National Environment Standards for Electricity Transmission as a result of the submission process. [27 May 2008]

Ministry report blueprint for environmentally friendly printing

The Ministry for the Environment’s milestone state of the environment publication has won a gold award for using best practice environmental printing processes [22 May 2008]

Statement of Intent

The Statement of Intent for 2008-2011 is now available. It gives an indication of where the Ministry is now and where we are heading over the next three years and includes our forecast financial statements. [22 May 2008]

Ecological flows and water levels - new workshop dates

The public workshops for the National Environmental Standard on Ecological Flows and Water Levels have been rescheduled to start on 26 May and run through to 13 June. [15 May 2008]

Review of New Zealand’s 2007 Net Position Report

This document presents the findings of a review of New Zealand's 2007 net position report (September 2007) which describes the 2007 estimate of New Zealand's net position with respect to its Kyoto target over the first commitment period. [15 May 2008]

Net Position Report 2008: Projected balance of emissions units during the first commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol

The net position is New Zealand’s projected balance of Kyoto Protocol units during the first commitment period (2008-2012) of the Kyoto Protocol. The balance of units is a projection of what actual emissions will be reported in New Zealand national greenhouse inventory submissions over the commitment period and government transfers of Kyoto emissions units. [13 May 2008]

Wood burner performance reviewed

The Ministry, in partnership with Environment Canterbury and Nelson City Council, has released a report detailing design verification and emissions and efficiency testing of 10 wood burners. The review revealed poor compliance. The Ministry strongly recommends councils, retailers and consumers continue to refer only to the national authorised list of wood burners. [7 May 2008]

Guidance for second generation planning goes live

Structuring, organising, and writing regional and district plans is a little easier with new RMA guidance that went live today on the Quality Planning website. [1 May 2008]

Recycling in Public Places Initiative

The second round of funding for councils is now open as part of the Ministry's Recycling in Public Places Initiative. Applications close on 13 June 2008. [28 April 2008]

Implementation workshops - drinking water sources standard

Dates have been announced for national workshops on implementation of the National Environmental Standard for Sources of Human Drinking Water. [22 April 2008]

New Zealand’s Greenhouse Gas Inventory 1990-2006: An Overview

This document provides an overview of "New Zealand's Greenhouse Gas Inventory 1990 - 2006". The full inventory report is available on the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change website. [16 April 2008]

Guidance for Voluntary, Corporate Greenhouse Gas Reporting

This publication gives guidance for corporations on voluntary Greenhouse Gas (GHG) reporting, including emission factors. It is intended to help those corporates that wish to voluntarily monitor and report greenhouse gas emissions on an organisational basis for their New Zealand operations. [10 April 2008]

Making Good Decisions programme

Over 300 local decision-makers participated in the recent training and certification round following on from the 2007 local body elections. If successful, they will join over 900 current certificate holders. Workshops associated with the first-ever round of re-certification have now kicked off as well. [8 April 2008]

Carbon Neutral Public Service programme

Emission inventory reports for the 2006/07 financial year have been published by the 34 core public service agencies. Reduction plans have also been published highlighting the actions agencies will be taking to reduce their emissions. [4 April 2008]

Aquaculture Planning Fund

Applications are invited for the first funding round for 2008/09. The fund round closes at noon on 30 May 2008. [1 April 2008]

March issue of Environz

This magazine published by the Ministry for the Environment provides information on environment issues of the day, environmental policy development, and action by the Ministry, its partners and stakeholders. [27 March 2008]

Ecological flows and water levels -national environmental standard

The Government intends to develop a national environmental standard on ecological flows and water levels. The Ministry will seek public submissions beginning on Saturday 29 March. [20 March 2008]

National Policy Statement on Electricity Transmission

A new National Policy Statement on Electricity Transmission gives guidance to local government across New Zealand for the management and future planning of the national grid. [11 March 2008]

Minister appoints Board for Te Mihi geothermal proposal

Environment Minister Trevor Mallard today announced the members of a Board of Inquiry to consider Contact Energy’s proposal for a new geothermal power station at Te Mihi near Taupo. [6 March 2008]

Standards for telecommunications facilities to proceed

The Government has confirmed that national environmental standards for telecommunications facilities will be drafted into regulation. These standards cover the erection of roadside cabinets (which can contain equipment for telephones and internet), the addition of antennas to existing structures such as light poles on roadsides or verges, radiofrequency fields and noise levels from the cabinets. [6 March 2008]

Board of Inquiry decides on adjournment request – 3 March 2008

The Board of Inquiry for the Upper North Island Grid Upgrade proposal has released its decision on the adjournment request lodged by counsel on behalf of Robert McQueen. [4 March 2008]

The Dairying and Clean Streams Accord: Snapshot of Progress - 2006/2007

The Ministry for the Environment has published the latest snapshot of progress on the Dairying and Clean Streams Accord, an agreement between the Ministries of Agriculture and Forestry, Fonterra Co-operative Group and Local Government NZ. [27 February 2008]

Proposed National Environmental Standard for Measurement of Water Takes

Cabinet has made decisions on the content of a proposed national environmental standard for Measurement of Water Takes and instructed that the Ministry for the Environment begin drafting the regulation. [26 February 2008]

Ministry stands by decision to drop conclusion chapter

The Ministry for the Environment is releasing the draft conclusions chapter of the state of the environment report Environment New Zealand 2007 to provide transparency around its content. [11 February 2008]

‘Te Waka’ wind farm proposal called in

Hon Trevor Mallard has publicly notified his direction to call in a proposal by Unison Networks Ltd for a 34-turbine wind farm near Te Waka Range in Hawke’s Bay. Submissions can be made from now until 5pm on 7 March 2008. [8 February 2008]

‘Te Mihi’ geothermal power station proposal called in

Hon Trevor Mallard has publicly notified his direction to call in a proposal by Contact Energy Ltd for a new geothermal power station in an area known as ‘Te Mihi’ near Taupo. Submissions can be made from now until 5pm on 7 March 2008. [8 February 2008]

Taking the pulse of the environment

A comprehensive state of the environment report released today provides the basis for future action on the environment, says Environment Secretary Hugh Logan. [31 January 2008]

Ministry's state of environment released today

Environment New Zealand 2007 is the Ministry for the Environment’s latest report on the state of New Zealand’s environment. It takes the pulse of the physical well-being of New Zealand’s land, water, air, plants and animals and measures the impact of transport, energy, waste, and our consumption on the environment. [31 January 2008]

New Zealand expert to chair international climate change group

New Zealand climate change expert Helen Plume has been elected to chair an important scientific group under the United Nation’s Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). [30 January 2008]

Report on Upper North Island Grid Upgrade proposal now available

The Board of Inquiry has made available a report it commissioned on Transpower’s proposal. The report identifies key issues of the proposal, an overview of the notices of requirement, resource consent applications and an analysis of information provided by Transpower. [24 January 2008]

Funding helps local sustainability programmes take next steps

Two community-based initiatives, the Sustainable Living Programme and the Sustainability Trust’s Ecokiwi scheme, have received $100,000 each to help people take their next steps to be more sustainable in their everyday lives. [23 January 2008]

World Environment Day

New Zealand is hosting World Environment Day 2008 in partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) on June 5. The Ministry for the Environment is the lead government agency coordinating the event alongside UNEP. [16 January 2008]

New sustainability website makes it easier to go green

New Zealanders now have a new, interactive website with lots of information on how to live more sustainably. The website features discussion forums, a ‘Next Steps’ sustainability challenge, and practical information on the small, medium and big steps that can be taken to live more sustainably. [9 January 2008]