Sustainability in New Zealand
Encyclopedia
Sustainability
in New Zealand
is being increasingly recognised as being good practice and the government has made some moves toward this goal.
which become a social and political movement of its own right in the 1960s. In 1972 the Values Party
formed, being the first national level Green Party.
In 2003 the government announced the Sustainable Development Programme of Action. The Govt3
programme was also announced that year but was cancelled in March 2009.
In March 2007 the Westpac
bank became the "first New Zealand bank to offer a 'green' home loan."
. Although efforts were made by a small number of individuals and organisations in highlighting environmental issue
s only ad-hoc measures were made by the government at central and local level.
to enshrine sustainability principles in law.
The Resource Management Act
was passed in 1991 and was a landmark piece of legislation, being the first the adopt the principle of sustainability.
Funding
Organisations
Sustainability
Sustainability is the capacity to endure. For humans, sustainability is the long-term maintenance of well being, which has environmental, economic, and social dimensions, and encompasses the concept of union, an interdependent relationship and mutual responsible position with all living and non...
in New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
is being increasingly recognised as being good practice and the government has made some moves toward this goal.
History
Sustainability became a concept that emerged out of the environmental movementEnvironmental movement
The environmental movement, a term that includes the conservation and green politics, is a diverse scientific, social, and political movement for addressing environmental issues....
which become a social and political movement of its own right in the 1960s. In 1972 the Values Party
Values Party
The Values Party, considered the world's first national-level environmentalist party that pre-dated any fashionable Green terminology, was established in 1972 at Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand, one of its initial leaders being Tony Brunt...
formed, being the first national level Green Party.
In 2003 the government announced the Sustainable Development Programme of Action. The Govt3
Govt3
Govt3 was a sustainability programme operated by the New Zealand government. It was managed by the Ministry for the Environment. "Govt" stands for government and "3" stands for the three pillars of sustainability: environmental, social and economic....
programme was also announced that year but was cancelled in March 2009.
In March 2007 the Westpac
Westpac
Westpac , is a multinational financial services, one of the Australian "big four" banks and the second-largest bank in New Zealand....
bank became the "first New Zealand bank to offer a 'green' home loan."
Rationale
Over the relatively short human occupation of New Zealand huge changes had been made to the natural environmentNatural environment
The natural environment encompasses all living and non-living things occurring naturally on Earth or some region thereof. It is an environment that encompasses the interaction of all living species....
. Although efforts were made by a small number of individuals and organisations in highlighting environmental issue
Environmental issue
Environmental issues are negative aspects of human activity on the biophysical environment. Environmentalism, a social and environmental movement that started in the 1960s, addresses environmental issues through advocacy, education and activism.-Types:...
s only ad-hoc measures were made by the government at central and local level.
Legislation
The New Zealand government has enacted legislationLegislation
Legislation is law which has been promulgated by a legislature or other governing body, or the process of making it...
to enshrine sustainability principles in law.
The Resource Management Act
Resource Management Act
The Resource Management Act passed in 1991 in New Zealand is a significant, and at times, controversial Act of Parliament. The RMA promotes the sustainable management of natural and physical resources such as land, air and water...
was passed in 1991 and was a landmark piece of legislation, being the first the adopt the principle of sustainability.
See also
- Green building in New ZealandGreen building in New Zealand-Green Building Council:The New Zealand Green Building Council formed in July 2005. An establishment board was formed later in 2005 and with formal organisational status granted on 1 February 2006. That month Jane Henley was appointed as the CEO and activity to gain membership of the World GBC began...
- Energy Efficiency and Conservation AuthorityEnergy Efficiency and Conservation AuthorityEnergy Efficiency and Conservation Authority is a New Zealand government/crown agency responsible for promoting energy efficiency and conservation....
- Environment of New ZealandEnvironment of New ZealandThe environment of New Zealand is characterised by unique flora and fauna and a variety of landforms contained within a small island nation...
- Conservation in New ZealandConservation in New ZealandConservation in New Zealand has a history associated with both Māori and Europeans. Both groups of people caused a loss of species and both amended their behaviour after realising their effect on indigenous flora and fauna.-Protected areas:...
External links
- sustainability.govt.nz
- Sustainability and Society at Landcare Research
- Econation
Funding
- Sustainable Management Fund operated by the Ministry for the Environment
- Sustainable Initiatives Fund
Organisations