Policy Area: Environment

Statement of General Direction:

The preservation and enhancement of the environment is sound economics. Our vision is to create a clean, healthy and unique environment sustaining nature and the needs and aspirations of New Zealanders.

Key Initiatives of Policy:

Develop "State of the Environment" reporting and amend Companies Act to require statutory disclosure of environmental impacts by companies.

Prepare national policies on sustainable land management and indigenous biodiversity.

Ensure progress on climate change and energy issues by pursuing coherent policies taking public consultation on these matters into account. Implement legislation if necessary to give real effect to such policies.

Develop national standards and guidelines forlandfills, solid waste disposal, hazardous substance disposal including timetable for phasing out hazardous, toxic and bioaccumulative substances.

Work with waste producers to r educe waste at source - seek to reduce annual solid waste production to 50% of the 1990 level by the turn of the century. Encourage reuse and recycling.

Actively pursue measures to reduce land/sea based sources of marine pollution from human activities.

Effort to return all rivers, lakes and coastal waters to natural unpolluted condition.

Phase out persistent chemicals such as organochlorines by the year 2000 - work with the agricultural sector to develop alternatives.

National register to record use of pollutants and chemicals in agriculture, horticulture and industry.

Atmospheric discharge subject to stringent controls under the Resource Management Act.

Every effort will be made to ensure the implementation of a coherent plan to reduce gross CO₂ emissions and make significant progress towards meeting international obligations.

Retain non-CO₂ greenhouse gases below 1990 levels by 2005.

Require Regional Councils to implement a monitoring and reporting system for air quality.

Legislative control of domestic pet access to vulnerable native species areas.

Ensure adequate protections against undesirable species from ship ballast discharge.

Effects based intent of Resource Management Act. Monitor and review the Resource Management Act outcomes to ensure they are appropriate.

Review Resource Management Act for clarity and action in decision making.

Additional Issues Raised by New Zealand First:

Limit the awarding of expenses to vexatious claims.

Population policy to be developed.

Encourage the development of environmental education modules. Empower the Ministry for the Environment to make public assessments of policy, initiatives, legislation and government functions which may impact on the environment.

Community Employment Programmes to assist beautification and clean-up projects.

Comprehensive "polluterpays"/"degrader pays" strategy to be progressed with a view to implementation before 1999.

Fiscal Implications of this Policy Agreement:

There will be low fiscal cost. Estimate $2 - $5 million.

(All funding proposals subject to being considered within the agreed spending policy parameters.)

Legislative Implications of this Policy Agreement:

None