The Department of Conservation has earmarked $659,000 to prepare and guide its response to climate change this financial year.
Hawke’s Bay was among regions in the North Island affected by drought in 2020.
DOC has released a five-year Climate Change Action Plan for 2020 to 2025.
Threats strategy manager Michelle Crowell said for this financial year DOC would focus on the tools needed to inform planning decisions in the face of climate change.
The significant projects lined up for this financial year include:
A national risk assessment for drought
A national assessment of climate change effects on invasive pests
A case study developed with whānau, hapū, and iwi to improve understanding of how climate changes and adaptation actions could affect cultural resources and taonga
A climate model for the New Zealand Subantarctic Islands
Updated climate change adaptation guidance for visitor, heritage, and property assets planning
Studies on species vulnerable to climate change
It has not released its rough budget for the plan over the five years, saying in the plan that some action would require new funding while others could use reprioritised resources.
“These budget decisions will be made by the senior responsible owner associated with the particular action or series of actions,” the plan said.
Crowell confirmed the budget for this financial year does not include salary costs for staff completing the various actions.
“It also doesn’t include DOC activities that are funded for other purposes, but still contribute to climate change adaptation planning,” she said.
DOC intends compiling a national risk assessment for drought.
