Climate Change and Biodiversity

Hurika Āhuaraki me te Rereka Rauropi

On 27 June 2019, Queenstown Lakes District Council declared a climate and ecological emergency.

Over the last few years, Council has embarked on a journey towards a major organisational behaviour shift ensuring climate change considerations are reflected in decision making, policy setting, projects, and service delivery.

To find out more about what we are doing check out our new Climate Action and Biodiversity website. It includes our full Climate and Biodiversity Plan (2025-2028), our actions and progress, and more.

On the Climate Action website, you will also find news updates, information and partner organisations and the independent Climate Reference Group that advises Council. 

Climate and Biodiversity Plan 2025 - 2028

The plan sets out how the district is going to respond to climate change and includes 50 actions. These range from reducing carbon emissions through more effective land-use planning and infrastructure design, to regenerating native forest. 


Climate and sustainability updates

We have an e-newsletter which you can sign up for. The newsletter features climate and sustainability stories from across the district, including Council activities, as well as case studies, what’s coming up, and profiles of people making positive change in Queenstown Lakes.


Climate Reference Group

The Climate Reference Group is made up of community leaders and climate experts to provide advice to Council’s climate action team. The group, chaired by Dr Leslie Van Gelder, has been particularly instrumental in the development of the draft Climate and Biodiversity Plan 2025-2028.


Further information