Future focus: Strategic plan of the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment2003-07

Report summaryFuture focus cover.

Our strategic plan for 2003 to 2007 focuses our work to maximise our contribution to environmental sustainability. It was developed through a process of dialogue with key environmental thinkers and practitioners.

 

Commissioner's preface

Our first plan, for 1997-2001, focused our efforts on urban and marine ecosystems, a variety of management systems, public participation in resource management and the concept of environmental sustainability (as distinct from managing environmental effects, or environmentalism). This new plan maintains our focus on environmental sustainability as a core component of sustainable development - the quest to meet environmental, social, cultural and economic goals in ways that can be continued into a distant future. There may be some disquiet about our intent to delve into sustainability drivers and governance capacity matters. Nonetheless, we make no apologies. We are confident that this is an area where we can make a real difference. 

Executive summary

The plan for 2003-2007 maintains the direction of our previous strategic plan but provides a shift in focus. Issues in the plan were selected by considering environmental systems at risk, the drivers putting pressure on these systems, and environmental management responses. It groups our priorities into three broad areas:

  • legislation and policies that impact on environmental sustainability
  • ecosystems at risk
  • the performance of public authorities to meet their environmental responsibilities.

The precise focus of each project will be defined by detailed scoping when a decision to investigate is made.

Legislation and policies

  • adapting to climate change
  • energy with an electricity focus
  • environmental economic instruments
  • marine and coastal legislation effectiveness
  • Resource Management Act 1991 outcomes
  • transport strategies.

Ecosystems at risk

  • coastal seas, inclusive of estuaries
  • rural lowlands, examining impacts on land and freshwater
  • urban environments with a focus on landuse planning, mobility and water management.

Agency performance

  • capacities in local government
  • contribution of central government environmental agencies to advancing sustainability
  • linkages across central government environmental, social and economic agencies.

The proposed areas for investigation make up a somewhat daunting list. Clearly it is beyond our resources, even over five years, to do substantive studies in all of these areas. We will therefore pursue a mix of broad studies and targeted investigations. To improve the dissemination of the Commissioner's findings and recommendations, a proactive communication strategy will also be developed.

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