by Commissioner Dr Jan Wright
I was sworn in as Commissioner for the Environment on 5 March 2007. I am the third person to hold the position - a great honour and a great responsibility.
I should really be writing this report with the second Commissioner, Dr Morgan Williams. He held the position for most of the period under report, and my efforts thus far have largely been a continuation of the projects he initiated.
Interest in 'the environment' is changing rapidly, and environmental concerns have worked their way into the mainstream. This heightened awareness presents many opportunities for New Zealand. We are fortunate that, in some respects, our economic interests and our environmental interests are strongly aligned.
Climate change dwarfs many other challenges, and it will feature when I settle on a work programme. Other pressing concerns include energy, water, and rapidly changing land uses such as the encroachment by cities on to productive land.
Environmental investigations
The Annual Report details eight environmental investigations, including four major works on energy, and the use of economic instruments in the management of waste.
Outcome evaluations
We revisited seven earlier PCE reports to assess their impact and to evaluate the uptake of our recommendations. These evaluations are a good guide to the effectiveness of the office.
PCE 20th anniversary
The PCE is 20 years old in 2007. A major forum in March this year marked the occasion and also took the opportunity to create a wider dialogue on New Zealand's progress towards sustainability. The Annual Report contains a report on the forum's success and other activities around the anniversary.
General
Also reported on are the PCE's responses to requests for information and advice; the PCE's communications programme; and our work with Parliamentary select committees.
