New Zealand’s national adaptation plan, launched last week, offers the first comprehensive approach to how communities can prepare for the inevitable impacts of a changing climate. Reactive and ad-hoc adaptation could create more problems on top of those already caused by climate change. The four goals that underpin the adaptation plan are essentially unarguable: reduce vulnerability to climate change impacts, enhance adaptive capacity, consider climate change in all decisions and strengthen resilience. Two of the priority areas identified in the climate change risk assessment involve financial stability and the economy. Shutterstock/Ross Gordon HenryUnintended consequencesAnother point missing in the adaptation plan is how the government will manage potential unintended consequences of private-sector adaptation and conflicts between groups.

Source: The Guardian August 11, 2022 20:55 UTC