by Commissioner Dr Morgan Williams
The stark reality of climate change has formed the backdrop to our studies in the past year. To improve our resilience to meet that challenge, we need to work on three fronts.
First, we must get better at building consensus. Our Rotorua Lakes study showed that our lowland water quality is under threat, and it is generally accepted that action is needed. But consensus on the causes, how to address them and who bears the costs, is fragile. That is the case when dealing with so many of our environmental challenges.
Second, we must do better at implementing strategies developed in broad partnership with communities, business and government. We can learn from countries such as Denmark, Sweden and Finland, who are more able to resolve their energy disputes or the causes of environmental degradation, and to develop policies and laws that enjoy widespread support.
Third, we must learn to develop institutions that can survive the long haul and maintain change programmes for decades. Management of a nation's energy and water must be long-term and beyond the reach of political ideologies and adversarial debates.
PCE 20th anniversary
In 2007 the PCE will be 20 years old. We plan to use the occasion to create a wider dialogue on New Zealand's journey to become a more environmentally sustainable nation. Our planning to celebrate our 20th is already well advanced.
My final report
This is my tenth and last Annual Report. l have completed two five-year terms as Commissioner, but I will not seek a third. It is time to pass the baton to a successor.
The PCE's great strength is that it enables investigation of "any matter in respect of which, in the Commissioner's opinion, the environment may be or has been adversely affected".
This has enabled a very wide range of investigations over 10 years, and it has been a very rewarding and stimulating time.
Environmental investigations
The Annual Report details 10 environmental investigations, including major works on the Rotorua Lakes, the use of economic instruments in the management of waste, and the Electricity Commission and the environmental impact of the electricity sector.
Citizens' concerns
Also reported on are eight "citizen's concerns" - smaller investigations of issues that members of the public have raised with us. During the year, our office responded to 188 enquiries, with 70 of these responses leading to investigations.
General
Our annual revenue was $2,570,000 (up from $2,256,000 in 2005), and we employed 18 staff compared to 17 last year.
