NZ’s Climate Adaptation Struggles to Keep Pace with Crisis

A report from the Climate Change Commission assessing the progress of the New Zealand government’s first national adaptation shows that the country’s climate adaptation is not happening on the scale or at the pace needed.

As mandated by the Climate Change Response Act, this report assesses the first national adaptation plan introduced in 2022, focusing on its implementation progress and effectiveness. The main takeaway is clear: adaptation efforts must catch up, both in scale and speed, with what is necessary to tackle the climate crisis effectively.

It identifies six areas where action is urgently needed. These include vital foundations like clarifying roles, responsibilities, and processes for planning and decision-making and how adaptation-related costs and climate-related losses will be shared and paid for.

This report is also the first in an ongoing series of two-year monitoring reports that will be of value to a wide range of people and organisations, not just central government.

New Zealand authorities have declared a record 17 weather-related states of emergency throughout 2023. While lowering greenhouse gas emissions will help reduce the warming driving these events, it will not eliminate all the impacts.

Climate change effects like sea level rise, rising temperatures, ocean acidification, and the increasing frequency and intensity of storms and flooding will continue to impact New Zealanders’ lives and livelihoods, threatening properties, communities, the Māori people and their assets, and the country’s critical infrastructure.

The Auckland Anniversary Flood occurred from 27 January to 2 February 2023, and Cyclone Gabrielle, which followed shortly on 13 and 14 February, were two of New Zealand’s most expensive weather catastrophes. The Auckland floods resulted in $5.57 billion in economic losses and $2.23 billion in insured losses. Cyclone Gabrielle led to even greater economic damage, totalling $6.4 billion, with insured losses of $2.02 billion (Libatique, 2024).

Currently, New Zealand is operating a “pay as you go” approach in dealing with these disasters and threats, where insurance and government compensation pay for damages. The unsustainable situation calls for a robust climate adaptation approach or strategy.

Aotearoa New Zealand’s first independent assessment of adaptation progress shows urgent action is needed to address the impacts of climate change on New Zealanders’ lives and livelihoods, says Commission Chair Dr Rod Carr.

“Adapting to a changing climate is different for each community – it is an inherently local issue. Central government can provide a way forward by giving communities the tools to make their own choices. Supporting councils as they plan and take action with their communities to live with the impacts of climate change is a key issue that needs to be addressed as soon as possible,” says Dr Carr. 

“Alongside this, adaptation happens through people’s choices about where and how they live and do business.  Clarifying who funds which parts of adaptation efforts, and making sure the costs and impacts don’t fall unfairly, will be critical so that people can make informed decisions.”

“It’s never too late to start, and the sooner we do, the more money we will save and the more heartache we will avoid. It can provide great returns on investment that last a long time,” Dr Carr adds.

Learn more about New Zealand’s Climate Change Commission’s Progress report.