Literature Review on Climate Change

International and national mechanisms to achieve significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions

In the report of Climate Change Literature Review, it suggested that policies on climate change need to distinguish between the short term and long term strategies, so that short term policy outcomes do not hinder the achievement of long term goals (Stern, 2007). In the short term policies will focus on a flexible approach to achieve long term, while the long term goal is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (Stern, 2007).

Stern also argues that the perspective of economics on mitigate greenhouse gas emission. For instance, a tax can be introduced so that emitters face the full social cost of their emissions. Regulation can be used to impose quantity restrictions that will limit the volume of emissions. And a market can be created to in which “property rights” can be allocated among those causing the externality or these affected by can underpin bargain or trading (Stern, 2007, p.353).

Encourage individuals, families, businesses and communities to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions

It is important to combine bottom-up and top-down strategies to future climate change strategies. It was suggested that community development approaches were essential and involved a partnership between the public sector, business, and local communities down to a household level (Hucker and Woodly, 2008). It means of building relationships with community to change their behaviour, rather than relying on engineering and technical solutions. This would contribute to reduce emissions in long term approach.

Hucker, B and Woodley, N. (2008) Climate Change Literature Review

Stern, Nicholas (2007), The Economics of Climate Change: The Stern Review, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Public Private Partnership

(source: Google Image, 2010)

Public Private Partnership

This section explores the importance of public private partnership in the context of the relationship between The Te Hana Community Development Trust and Rodney District Council. Public private partnership (PPP) is a type of funding method which involves collaboration between both private and public sectors to achieve commonly a public good. This creates a cooperative between the public and private sectors, built on the expertise of each partner that best meets clearly defined public needs through the available resources (Allan, 1999).

Public Private Partnership in Te Hana

The purpose of this report is to provide the community trust with information to develop public toilets within the community. It is of our opinion that a public private partnership is needed to achieve the purpose. There was funding for a public toilet in Te Hana, however it was removed from the Rodney Long Term Council Community Plan (LTCCP).

The Rodney District Council has statutory obligation under the Local Government Act 2002 (s10) to provide public toilets for communities. Therefore it is crucial for council to enable sustainable development in provision of this infrastructure and to understand and recognize the different needs of the community. In order for Te Hana to seek funding to provide public toilets, there are three important processes that must be taken into account, consultation, interaction and cooperation between Te Hana community and Rodney District Council.

Maintaining a clear interaction means a more coherent framework for policy and practice, it can bridge the gap between community and council, and it also helps community to keep on track with plan change. This relationship can be achieved by creating a corridor for representatives on the both sides to improve efficient communication and community engagement. The most cost-effective ways to enhance interaction is through network. Rodney District Council established a forum called “Citizens Panel”, the purpose of this panel acts as a platform for residents to have their say on a range of issues to towards better planning for the future (Rodney District Council, 2009). The panel contributes to build a good interaction between Te Hana and Rodney District Council. In particular; a PPP would contribute to key areas such as financial. If public toilets are built, there are benefits to both Te Hana community and Rodney District Council. As it provides basic infrastructure for the community, and also improve amenity for the region. But the chances for Te Hana to argue for funding for public toilets are important now for a of ‘legacy’ project.

Allan, J. R. (1999) Public –Private Partnerships: A Review of Literature and Practice. Saskatchewan Institute of Public Policy, Public Policy paper n.4.

Rodney District Council (2009). 2009-2019 Long Term Council Community Plan, http://www.rodney.govt.nz/AboutRodney/NewsNotices/Pages/20092019LongTermCouncilCommunityPlan.aspx, (accessed :05/04/2010).

Rodney District Council (2009). Citizens Panel, http://www.rodney.govt.nz/YourCouncil/haveyoursay/Pages/CitizensPanel.aspx, (accessed: 06/05/2010).

Google. (2010) http://www.google.co.nz/images?q=hand+shake&hl=en&gbv=2&tbs=isch:1&sa=N&start=0&ndsp=20, (accessed: 30/05/2010).

Watercare Greenhouse Gas Report on Climate Change

(Source: Google Image, 2010)

The reform of new Auckland governance structure will be implemented on the 1^st of November 2010, this would lead to change in the existing policies on environmental planning and climate change approaches. Auckland is a dynamic and fast growing city, with the rapid growing of population and green house gas emission, it is important to include strategy that will mitigate climate change and prevent human suffering in the new governance structure.

The current Watercare Greenhouse Gas Report plays a crucial part in safeguarding human health and remedying environmental effect. Watercare Greenhouse Gas Report is prepared by the Environmental Planning Unit (Environmental Planning Unit, 2007). The purpose of this report is to minimise emission, reduce carbon footprint and use energy efficiently. This would give effects to collect, treat and dispose of water to six local operators that retail it to more than 1.2 million consumers (Environmental Planning Unit, 2007). Evidence has shown that 88% reduction in greenhouse gas emission achieved since 1990, approximately 7500 CO2 emission per year (Environmental Planning Unit, 2007). The contribution and effectiveness of Watercare operation would emit greenhouse gas such as carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide through the wastewater process.

In order to achieve further greenhouse gas reduction, it requires new government to cooperate with both governmental and non-governmental organisations, as well as take into account of the carbon management hierarchy:

1. Avoiding causing emissions

2. Reducing existing emissions

3. Enhancing carbon sinks

4. Capturing emissions and recovering waste energy

5. Purchasing renewable energy and offsets

(Environmental Planning Unit, 2007, p.2).

There are further opportunities over the five years for Watercare to push greenhouse gas emission reduction from 88% to 95% (Environmental Planning Unit, 2007). However, this requires further expenditure on putting sealed roofs on the digesters and provide new gas storage facilities at the wastewater treatment planet (Environmental Planning Unit, 2007).

Environmental Planning Unit, Watercare Greenhouse Gas Report 2007-8.

Google. 2010 http://www.google.co.nz/images?q=Watercare+Greenhouse+Gas+Report&hl=en&gbv=2&tbs=isch:1&sa=N&start=60&ndsp=20. ()accessed:31/05/2010).