Government appoints climate change adaptation working group

Climate Change Minister Paula Bennett has assembled a team of 10 public and private sector experts to advise on New Zealand’s climate change adaptation and resilience model.

The Climate Change Adaptation Technical Working Group includes representatives from central and local government, the banking and insurance sector, engineering, science, and local communities.

Adaptation expert Dr Judy Lawrence will co-chair the group with Penny Nelson, Ministry for the Environment’s Deputy Secretary, Sector Strategy.

“New Zealand needs to be better prepared to adapt to the effects of climate change… I have asked the group to provide advice that will feed into policy options for ministers to consider… based on sound evidence… to improve adaptation and resilience to the effects of climate change in New Zealand”, said Minister Bennett in a press release on Tuesday.