This survey is an opportunity for you to contribute to our Action Plan: Carbon Sequestration and Natural Restoration

We recommend you familiarise yourself with Chapter 4 (p81) ‘Working with Nature’ and Chapter 14 (p273) ‘Forestry” from the Emission Reduction Plan (ERP) and Chapter 6 (p97) ‘Natural Environment’ in the National Adaption Plan (NAP). These can be accessed under Council’s climate change resources tab.

The issues around climate and biodiversity are inextricably linked. Aligning work on climate change and biodiversity is an opportunity to take strong action in both areas. This approach will ensure our response to human induced climate change also improves the resilience of our native ecosystems and does not further their destruction.

Nature-based solutions offer a practical approach for integrating climate and biodiversity policy for all sectors of our society and economy. They can remove carbon from the atmosphere, store it and build resilience to the impacts of climate change at the same time as supporting biodiversity and wider environmental outcomes. They can also create employment opportunities that support an equitable transition, especially in rural areas.

Forests store carbon from the atmosphere, helping offset other sectors’ greenhouse gas emissions. Forestry and wood processing already make an important contribution to Aotearoa New Zealand’s bioeconomy.

The questions that follow reflect the focus areas of both the ERP and NAP.

The ‘Te Mana o te Taiao – Aotearoa New Zealand Biodiversity Strategy 2020’ recognises that, for our native wildlife to thrive, we need to address the climate and biodiversity crises at the same time. Key outcomes and objectives of the strategy are that:

· thriving biodiversity plays a central role in our approach to mitigating climate change.

· biodiversity provides nature-based solutions to climate change and is resilient to its effects.

· Nature-based solutions buffer against climate impacts, while also fostering wellbeing, sequestering carbon and increasing biodiversity.
Examples of nature-based solutions that remove carbon and support biodiversity include:

· restoring wetlands and coastal ecosystems (eg, the Wainono Lagoon) to sequester carbon and provide natural defences against flooding, drought and sea-level rise, while supporting abundant biodiversity

· restoring and planting native forests in upper catchments to sequester carbon, reduce flooding and sediment flow into downstream rivers and estuaries and improve habitats.

· Ecological corridors protect our biodiversity and enable species and ecosystems to move across landscapes as the climate changes. By understanding the impacts of these changes and reducing pressures, we give ecosystems more time to adjust to new climate threats.

Question Title

* 1. In your view, what might this look like for the Waimate District – and what is the best way to implement it?

Some nature-based solutions can also reduce emissions indirectly, for example:

· using water-sensitive urban design, which mimics natural processes and uses soil and vegetation to manage stormwater and reduce the need for carbonintensive concrete pipes.

· integrating green spaces and natural features into urban areas to help with temperature and flood control, improve air quality and create wildlife corridors. This can also make active transport (e.g. cycling and walking) more appealing, provide recreational opportunities and improve health and wellbeing.

Question Title

* 2. In your view, what might this look like for the Waimate District – and what is the best way to implement it?

Careful planning of the right forests, in the right place, is required to ensure the benefits of forestry and the full supply chain are realised for our district. Different types of forests will play different roles

· Permanent forests can provide a long-term carbon sink to help offset emissions that are the hardest to remove or reduce, alongside a wide range of other environmental benefits, including supporting indigenous biodiversity.

· Production forests provide a sustainable source of biomass to make biofuels, and wood products to replace emissions-intensive products, like steel and cement in building and construction.
The Emissions Reduction Plan has four key focus areas relating to forestry – we’d like your views on what these might look for our district and what is the best way to implement them.
Focus area 1: Support the right mix, level and location of afforestation

Question Title

* 3. In your view, what might this look like for the Waimate District – and what is the best way to implement it?

Focus area 2: Encourage native forests as long-term carbon sinks

Question Title

* 4. In your view, what might this look like for the Waimate District – and what is the best way to implement it?

Focus area 3: Maintain existing forests

Question Title

* 5. In your view, what might this look like for the Waimate District – and what is the best way to implement it?

Focus area 4: Grow the forestry and wood processing industry to deliver more value from low-carbon products

Question Title

* 6. In your view, what might this look like for the Waimate District – and what is the best way to implement it?

Question Title

* 7. Further thoughts/comments and ideas on Carbon Sequestration and Natural Restoration?

T