Media Release: CALL FOR MORE SUPPORT FOR RURAL COMMUNITIES’ FIGHT AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE

Government support for rural communities is vital to realising the potential in mitigating climate change says Rural Women New Zealand.

“Our members care for our land, our people and rural communities and we acknowledge the need to adapt, however, we would like to see more work on empowering rural communities through the provision of resources to effect positive change,” says National President Gill Naylor.

“There is no doubt that the solutions proposed by the He Waka Eke Noa Primary Sector Climate Change Partnership and the Government’s discussion document on pricing agricultural emissions, will have an impact on rural communities.

“Rural communities include the towns and regional centres which service them – the adverse impact of, and the opportunities afforded by, emissions pricing stretch further than the farm gate.

“Our members understand the effects of climate change, and the need to adapt our practices, however, the key to ensuring that rural communities remain strong and viable is fence-at-the-top-of-the-cliff solutions.

“RWNZ will be providing feedback on the Government’s discussion document, focussing on how the Government can mitigate adverse impacts on the health and wellbeing of the wider rural community through strengthening and supporting the people and connections within it.

“RWNZ will also be calling for more resources so that all rural communities can find and make the most of the opportunities afforded them through fit-for-purpose solutions to reduce emissions,” says Mrs Naylor.