Response to COVID-19 Recovery (Fast-track Consenting) Bill

We gave feedback on the Government's proposed changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) to fast track consents to stimulate recovery following COVID-19.

The changes would see consents fast tracked to help stimulate recovery following COVID-19.

Our view is that the projects approved under the COVID-19 Recovery Bill must be consistent with the Climate Change Response Act. This means applying a climate change lens to all projects seeking approval. Our recovery must not create future problems that themselves may cause large public and private costs. We have suggested any project that would lock in high emissions technology or systems and threaten our ability to meet our targets be declined. 

We also urged the Government to be guided by the principles we proposed in April.

You can read the letter we provided to Minister David Parker with our feedback here