Earth Sciences Zealand says climate change is driving up costs and damages across the country. Photo: RNZ/Ellen O'Dwyer
Nearly $12 million will be put towards a new research programme aiming to speed up New Zealand's resilience to climate change.
The five year initiative led by Earth Sciences Zealand, called the Accelerating Adaptation to Climate Change: From decisions to action research programme, has been awarded $11,987,988 through the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment Endeavour Fund.
Earth Sciences NZ principal scientist Dr Nick Cradock-Henry said the programme is New Zealand's first significant, dedicated investment in climate adaptation research.
"We've built a solid evidence base of climate risks and identified adaptation options. The next step is implementation - how we move from good plans on paper to real action on the ground," said the programme leader.
He said it will help close the gap between planning and action with climate impacts already driving up costs and damages across New Zealand
"There are a range of socio-economic challenges that hinder progress, such as fragmented governance, local politics, competing timeframes and priorities, limited resources, and sometimes, a lack of confidence in knowing what will work," said Cradock-Henry.
The initiative's team will include scientists, economists, engineers, and kaupapa Māori experts.
Cradock-Henry said acting early on adaptation to climate risks will avoid costly losses in the future.
Earth Sciences Zealand said climate change is driving up costs and damages across the country.
"Climate change can feel quite disempowering. You're faced with a risk that seems a long way in the future. The programme will build capability and capacity in communities and councils, to give them much greater agency in adaptation planning so that it doesn't become overwhelming," said Cradock-Henry.
"Accelerating Adaptation aims to foster communities that are resilient, not just to today's climate, but to the changes ahead, and ensure that iwi, local government, and national agencies have the governance tools and decision-making systems to support that.
"If we get this right, adaptation becomes more than just a defensive response-it's an opportunity to build a safer, fairer, and more prosperous Aotearoa," he said.
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