EDS welcomes Labour’s environmental commitments

Tuesday, 6 May 2014, 12:05 pm
Press Release: Environmental Defence Society

EDS welcomes Labour’s environmental commitments

Deputy Labour Leader Hon David Parker outlined his Party’s environmental policy during a speech at the Cashmere Club, Christchurch last night.

“It is great to see Labour committing to repeal any changes to the Resource Management Act passed by National which weaken environmental protections. The RMA is fundamental to maintaining high environmental quality in New Zealand and any attempts to weaken it need to be strongly opposed”, said EDS Policy Director Raewyn Peart

“Labour has also committed to beefing up environmental safeguards for deep sea oil and gas including providing for broader public participation in decision-making and requiring capping devices to be readily available.

“This is a positive move. EDS is strongly opposed to National’s current proposal to exclude public scrutiny of deep sea exploratory well drilling. This is a risky activity which could result in serious reputational damage to New Zealand if we experienced an oil spill. It needs to be assessed through an open and transparent process rather than behind closed doors.

“EDS also supports Labour’s commitment to beef up the National Policy Statement on Freshwater Management in order to ensure that all our lakes and rivers are swimmable, fishable and safe for food gathering. We consider that the limits currently proposed under the draft National Objectives Framework, which are to be incorporated into the existing NPS, to be too weak to ensure this.

“Under Labour we would also see the roll out of additional national policy statements addressing the management of our estuaries and indigenous biodiversity. The recent Supreme Court decision on King Salmon has highlighted the important role that these documents play in establishing strong environmental bottom lines at a national level and EDS supports greater use of them.

“On oceans, whilst Labour has committed to improving the process to create marine protected areas, we would like to see provision for broader oceans policy. This needs to include beefed up governance arrangements and a legislative framework for marine spatial planning.

“Our current ad hoc approach to oceans is already creating significant problems such as the current conflict between proposals to mine phosphate on the Chatham Rise, deep sea fishing, and benthic protection areas.

“EDS is convening a political forum at our forthcoming Navigating Our Future conference in Auckland on 5-7 August 2014, where we have invited political party leaders to discuss their respective environmental policies. Further information on the conference can be accessed here.

“The environment will be an important consideration in the upcoming election and we want to ensure that people are well informed on the choice between different party policies,” concluded Ms Peart.

ENDS

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Environmental Defence Society

EDS speaks for the environment. It has influence.

Since 1971, EDS has been driving environmental protection in Aotearoa New Zealand through law and policy change. That's why it's one of this country's most influential non- profit organisations when it comes to achieving better environmental outcomes.

EDS has expertise in key disciplines including law, planning, landscape and science. It operates as a policy think-tank, a litigation advocate, and a collaborator – bringing together the private and public sectors for constructive engagement.

EDS runs conferences and seminars on topical issues, including an annual Environmental Summit and the Climate Change and Business Conference.

EDS is a registered charity and donations to it are tax-deductible.

Contact Environmental Defence Society

• Website - www.eds.org.nz
• Email - manager@eds.org.nz
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