Hey government, we’re here to help
A ‘supergroup’ of New Zealand environmental organisations has called on the leaders of political leaders to honour their campaign pledges as they prepare to negotiate a coalition for the next Government.
In an open letter published today, leading members of Greenpeace, Forest and Bird, WWF New Zealand, Fish and Game New Zealand, Environmental Defence Society, Ecologic and Generation Zero.
Following an election where environmental issues featured prominently, the groups have come together to congratulate political parties for commitments made during the election campaign to improve the state of our environment.
However, they hoped to remind parties of a strong public expectation to ensure clear gains for freshwater, the climate and conservation over the next three years and is pledging to hold future leaders to their promises.
‘‘Environmental issues were at the centre of the 2017 election campaign. No matter who ends up in Government, they will have a clear mandate and a responsibility to take action on fresh water, climate change, and conservation. And they should know that we will be right there to make sure they do,’’ it reads.
Forest and Bird’s Kevin Hague said the group was ‘‘very clearly’’ stating there was a crisis affecting nature in this country. ‘‘We are going to offer our help but also hold to account whoever the next government is to ensure that they follow through with improved policy to protect the environment, protect nature and improve funding for those areas too.’’
Gary Taylor of the Environmental Defence Society said in his years of advocacy, he had never seen the environment play such a dominant role in a New Zealand election.
‘‘With a long-lived challenge like de-carbonising our economy over decades we need a dedicated entity, free of political ‘to and froing’, to plan, monitor and report on that transition.’’