WHAT LOCAL COUNCILS DO ON CLIMATE IS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT

Our Guide on the climate-RElated Legal Obligations of Local Government Authorities:

In 2022, Lawyesr for Climate Action released a helpful guide explaining the climate change related obligations of local government authorities.

This document is intended as a general guide for local communities as to climate change related legal obligations and processes of local authorities in Aotearoa/New Zealand (‘Councils’). It further discusses what community action can be taken to support these obligations being complied with and constructive outcomes being achieved at local levels in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and addressing the impacts of climate change.

TRANSPORT POLICY WORK:

  • All Aboard! submission on the Auckland Council draft Regional Land Transport Plan, 2 May 2021

  • Radio interview by Corin Dann from Morning Report of LCANZI President, Jenny Cooper QC and Dewy Sacayan (Generation Zero campaigner and lawyer) regarding our submission, 5 May 2021

  • Stuff article: Lawyers say Auckland plan is 'unlawful' and emissions-boosting, by Todd Niall, 5 May 2021

  • Letter to the Board of Auckland Transport about the draft Regional Land Transport Plan, 18 May 2021

  • Spinoff article where we note the unlawfulness of the plan, 29 May 2021

  • Press release: Climate advocacy groups call on Government to dump Mill Road and give effect to Zero Carbon Act, 25 March 2021

  • Press release: Transport decision-makers unwilling to walk the talk on climate, 12 March 2021

  • Letter to Auckland Transport: Highlighting their legal obligations in relation to climate change, 16 June 2020

  • Open letter to de-carbonise Auckland Transport by 2030 (in support of Generation Zero), 23 September 2020

  • Stuff article (by the All Aboard! Campaign): Transforming transport or climate is key to reducing emissions in Auckland, 18 December 2020

Supporting All Aboard Aotearoa Litigation

LCANZI is a member of All Aboard Aotearoa, a coalition of climate and transport advocacy groups with the shared goal of decarbonising transport. We supported All Aboard to file Court proceedings against Auckland Transport and Auckland Council in relation to a recently adopted land transport plan that fails to provide for any meaningful reduction in carbon emissions.

The case sought a declaration that Auckland Transport and the Council acted unlawfully in relation to the Regional Land Transport Plan 2021-2031 (‘RLTP’) and orders that they prepare and submit a new plan. The RLTP sets out Auckland’s transport objectives, policies and monitoring measures for the next ten years.

The RLTP planned for a 6% increase in transport emissions by 2031, on 2016 levels. This was inconsistent with Auckland Council’s own climate plan, Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri: Auckland’s Climate Plan, calls for a 64% reduction in gross transport emissions by 2030, from 2016 levels.

Although the case was ultimately unsuccessful, it was still an important challenge to bring. Following the litigation, the Council adopted the Transport Emissions Reductions Plan, which sets more ambitious emissions reduction targets. Among other things, it sets out a plan to reduce Auckland's transport emissions by 64 per cent by 2030.

ADVOCACY ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT ISSUES

  • We have been working with the Kaipara community to oppose several cuts being made to climate policies, including vital adaptation work. You can read the two letters we wrote to the Kaipara District Council in 2023 and 2024.

  • Letter to Nelson City Council regarding proposed library, 23 August 2021

  • Our submission to Auckland Council on their emergency budget, 18 June 2020