Environmental groups criticise Budget moves
WELLINGTON: Prominent environmental groups are less than impressed with what they describe as underwhelming Budget investments in climate, but an expert says the government has taken a multifaceted approach.
Among the announcements on Thursday was $402.6 million to expand the duration and scope of the Warmer Kiwi Homes programme, $120 million to expand EV charging infrastructure, a $100 million fund to help councils invest in future flood resilience, $24.7 million to improve data on impacts of climate change and adaptation and mitigation, and $167.4 million in building resilience to future climate events.
It came on the same day the World Meteorological Organisation said global temperatures were now more likely than not to breach 1.5degC of warming within the next five years.
Forest and Bird said the budget did little to tackle climate change and turn around biodiversity loss.
‘‘Keeping New Zealanders safe is clearly a ‘bread and butter’ issue, yet the government’s lack of investment in naturebased solutions is putting us all at risk,’’ chief executive Nicola Toki said.
‘‘What we looked for but have not found is meaningful investment in naturebased solutions to climate impacts, and our biggest source of greenhouse gas emissions, agriculture, has not yet been priced more than 30 years after New Zealand promised the world it would cut emissions.’’
The government’s billion infrastructurefocused National Resilience Plan needed to prioritise investment in areas like river catchments, forests, and wetlands — otherwise it might affect people’s ability to get insurance in the future, Ms Toki said.
Electricity Networks Aotearoa chief executive Richard Le Gros said the association, which represented New Zealand’s 27 electricity distribution businesses, supported the focus in the $6 budget on decarbonisation initiatives as well as insulation and heating retrofits.
‘‘We welcome the government’s greater investment in public EV charging infrastructure throughout the country,’’ Mr Le Gros said.
Greenpeace climate campaigner Christine Rose criticised the government for missing the chance to implement radical change in farming, climate solutions, transport, and energy.
‘‘While it’s positive to see that halfprice fares remain for some, we needed bolder and more visionary strategies, including significant investment in expanding rail and making public transport fares free for all,’’ Ms Rose said.
Prof Bronwyn Hayward, of the University of Canterbury, said the budget appeared ‘‘deceptively simple’’ but, for example, allowing children to use public transport free was not just about increasing bus use, it would also ease family budgets and instigate longterm behaviour change.
‘‘Critics of the government will rightly point out there is now less money available to spend on climate resilience due to the crash in carbon pricing, and yet a sizeable new spend of $1.9 billion has been allocated in this budget for climate resilience alongside the $1 billion pledged for cyclone recovery,’’ Prof Hayward said.
‘‘This, together with spending on retrofitted housing, new homes, prescription charges and school lunches all contributes to the social infrastructure that communities will badly need when facing ongoing climate risk. — RNZ