Environmental Reporting Act Passes

Created: Wednesday, 30 September 2015 12:20

Environment and Statistics Ministers have jointly announced the passing of the Environmental Reporting Act 2015 (the Act).

The Act provides legislative authority for the Ministry for the Environment and Statistics New Zealand to report accurate and objective updates on the state of New Zealand’s environment.  Reports will be released biannually on one of the five domains of air, freshwater, land, marine and atmosphere / climate.  A synthesis report will be released once every three years.

Environment Minister Nick Smith has likened the reporting to financial reporting undertaken by the Treasury, as required by the Fiscal Responsibility Act 1994. Open reporting will mean that the state of New Zealand’s environment will be laid bare, but this is an important step in the effective management of our environment.  Minister Smith has stated that the aim is to reduce the debate over where New Zealand has problems and help focus the Government, Local Authorities and communities on finding long-term, sustainable solutions.

Debate among political Parties has stemmed from the degree of objectivity that the Act provides.  While the Government will choose the domains that are to be covered, the reporting will be done independently by Statistics New Zealand and the Ministry for the Environment, and the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment will be able to comment on reports, and the processes contained in the Act, at his or her discretion.

The first pilot report Environment Aotearoa 2015 will be released on October 21.

We discussed details of the Environmental Reporting Bill in March 2014 and April 2015.  These articles can be read here:

April 2015 Environmental Reporting Bill Makes Progress

March 2014 A More Consistent Approach to Environmental Reporting

Read the complete Environmental Reporting Act 2015 on the New Zealand Legislation website here: