Progress on climate adaptation too slow as risks grow

He Pou a Rangi Climate Change Commission's latest report finds that adaptation in New Zealand is still not keeping pace with growing climate risks.

Two years after its first independent assessment, the Commission has found that while there has been some progress, persistent gaps in funding, governance, planning and climate-risk information continue. This leaves communities exposed to greater damage, disruption and costs.

The Commission found progress in some important areas, such as the proposed new requirement for local adaptation planning and action to strengthen councils' ability to manage natural hazard risk for new developments, but many of the gaps identified in 2024 remain.

In this year's progress assessment, the Commission has identified six essential areas where urgent action is needed:

• Be clear about how the costs of adaptation will be paid for.

• Put in place legal requirements for local adaptation planning with appropriate guidance, tools, and funding options.

• Build climate adaptation into key legislation.

• Improve national climate risk data and make it usable and accessible to everyone.

• Ensure iwi/Maori can plan and carry out adaptation action.

• Make the next national adaptation plan a strong driver of action.