Climate change declaration not a ‘binding contract’

DUNEDIN Mayor and Local Government New Zealand president Dave Cull says the group’s climate change declaration is purely aspirational and noone is being pressured into signing up.

Earlier this week, ThamesCoromandel Mayor Sandra Goudie told RNZ she did not want to sign the declaration because it was ‘‘politically charged’’.

Fiftyfive councils have signed the LGNZ document which asks councils to promote walking and public transport, improve resource efficiency and healthy homes and supporting renewable energy and electric vehicles.

Mr Cull said the declaration recognised communities and councils had a part to play in mitigating climate change.

He was the first mayor to sign the declaration in 2017 and said he was motivated by the situation in South Dunedin. ‘‘It’s not a binding contract; there are no specific goals.

‘‘It’s just a recognition that we, the communities, need to be looking to change the way their communities operate and reduce their carbon footprint.’’

Mr Cull said the declaration had been wellreceived and he was not pushing anyone into signing up.

‘‘My suspicion is that any pressure to sign comes from communities going to their councils and saying ‘look, this is something we would like you to do’.’’

Mr Cull said the idea that it was ‘‘politically charged’’ was a misunderstanding and ‘‘noone’s putting the hard word on them’’.

Apprehension on councils’ part on not being able to follow through on the declaration could be why some had not signed it. Resources for smaller councils would also be an issue.

Mr Cull said elected representatives covered a widespectrum of views and backgrounds so there was bound to be differences in opinions.