Six to Eight Sustainability Principles for Auckland's Urban Context

Auckland's local council works with the national government to implement sustainability principles, focusing on environmental protection, conservation of natural resources, and social and economic factors. The city has set targets in line with global agencies like the UN and regional Australian policies, incorporating policies for organizations and public participation. Sustainability under CSR has become a legal and ethical principle in Auckland, with organizations across different industries adopting this plan in support of global initiatives for a better environment.

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Sustainability Principles in Auckland New Zealand

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Table of Contents
1.0 Introduction...........................................................................................................................................3
1.1 Auckland as part of New Zealand................................................................................................3
2.0 Environmental Protection Efforts..........................................................................................................5
2.1 Regional and global agenda...............................................................................................................5
2.2 Local initiatives.................................................................................................................................6
3.0 Sustainability and Economic Development...........................................................................................8
4.0 Social development...............................................................................................................................9
5.0 Conclusion...........................................................................................................................................10
Bibliography..............................................................................................................................................11

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1.0 Introduction
The principles of sustainability arise from the dramatic changes in the environment. By looking
at the indicators of climate change such as pollution, human activities and gas emissions,
researchers have come up with ways in which stakeholders can engage in sustainable
approaches. This discussion explains the concepts of sustainability in Auckland, New Zealand as
a location with unique biodiversity. The environmental management issues revolve around
environmental, economic and social perspectives. It highlights climate change prediction in New
Zealand and the role of organizations in the region. Climate change affects the environment in
many ways. Among these is the change in precipitation, sea level, and temperature changes.
This report is a discussion on local sustainability with a reflection of regional and global efforts.
It looks at why Auckland invests in this environmental concept. It brings out social aspects such
as the impact of sustainability on refugee movement and human actors’ adoption of clean and
green sustainability. It also mentions challenges faced by the local government in monitoring
greenhouse gas emissions and infrastructural development.
1.1 Auckland as part of New Zealand
The figure 1 shows future predictions for year 2100 with different scenarios of climate
frequency. Scenario B1, A1B and A2 indicate multiple averages in global surface warming. The
best climate is within the horizontal lines with gray colored bars. The SRES scenarios address
increases greenhouse gas

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Figure 1: New Zealand’s climate change predictions (MFE , 2017)
Figure 2 below shows Auckland’s sustainability plan or nature and people. It supports the socio
cultural aspects as value for the natural heritage. Its emphasis on the connection between people
and the environment is evident.
Figure 2: Auckland’s sustainability plan (The Auckland Council Plan, 2017)

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2.0 Environmental Protection Efforts
Auckland in New Zealand attracts numerous tourists because of its beautiful islands, mountains,
lakes, plant and animal kingdoms. This is a dwelling place for Australia’s Indigenous groups the
Maori. The increased changes in the natural environment caused by greenhouse emissions,
changes in humidity and temperatures is the cause for government initiatives towards
sustainability. An integrated stakeholder approach provides remedy in economic, political,
ecological and social aspects (Cundy, et al., 2013).
Figure 3: Aerial view of environmental destruction with forests cleared for farming in New
Zealand ( (Landcare Research, 2017)
Figure 4: Common scenes of charcoal horizon in Auckland caused by deforestation with changes in
soil profile (Landcare Research, 2017)

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2.1 Regional and global agenda
Sustainability is a dynamic concept that affects policies in the region. Climate change varies
across the regions of New Zealand. Auckland as the biggest city has adopted different plans
including the UNs 2030 targets, which provides a framework on the elimination of greenhouse
gases, conservation of forests and proper land use (Ministry of Environment, 2016). Following
the evidence of effects of climate change impact on the maritime environment, the government
developed the Sustainable Development Programme of Action in collaboration with the UN and
climate change organizations (New Zealand Foreign Affairs & Trade, 2017). The policies
encourage sustainability, through the adoption of sustainable approaches using global
agreements such as the Kyoto Protocol, and Paris Agreement. Regional policies such as the
Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic Expedition also provide legally binding policies and support for
environmental interventions (Barca, et al., 2012).
Scientific predictions projected the development of a new normal by 2100. Auckland’s adoption
of this approach starts with its 2060 plan which integrates innovation, infrastructure, leadership
and cultural aspects (Towards 2060, 2017). It looks at the long-term impact on the natural
resources and the ability to use renewable resources, replenishing the existing resources and
prevent future extinction. Auckland acknowledges effects such as resource depletion, scarcity,
degradation of the environment, loss of species and extreme weather patterns. Sustainability thus
addresses shortage of resources through actions that support environmental protection such as
reduced carbon emissions.
2.2 Local initiatives
The Local Government of New Zealand (2016) has in place the 2050 vision which covers
sustaiability in local communities. This plan aligns the economic and cultural activitties to the

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environmental concerns. Effects of climatic conditions, changes in temperature and weather
patterns affects land use, tourism and manufacturing processes. Sustainability encourages social
and cultural prosperity in its redefinition of usability and conservation. It connects the visible
environment to healthy approaches in the ecosystems and activities. The emergence of social and
economic aspects of sustainability expound on sustainable development as a principle. Auckland
is keen on the preservation of the natural resources, conservation and management of the urban
environment (De Santo, 2013).
Sustainability in the initial years of Auckland, NZ focused on factors of environmental
degradation. In this era, it was evident that human activities were taking a toll on the
environment. The creation of sustainable societies led to sustainable development approaches.
This had principles such as green growth and human security. The state adopted concepts of de-
growth and a circular economy with productions that featured a decolonization approach
(Zavala, 2013). This later developed into factors that influence sustainability including poverty,
land and biosphere, which is water, and air. Sustainability focuses on human actions and their
consequences.
Auckland New Zealand local governance strategies include change in human actor activities
(Hall, 2011). The challenge of using renewable energy and alternative sources of energy such as
solar, bio diesel and wind power is present due to the limitation of natural resources. Although
Auckland has an elaborate approach to construction of houses, and parks, it has a challenge of
implementing sustainability in urban construction (Auckland Council, 2017). Ecological
sustainability focuses on the biodiversity aspect of natural environments. This came about during
the advent of climate change and global warming. However, economic and social elements
continue to impede sustainability in the region. Among this is the increase in business

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approaches and lack of commitment from people on sustainability in industries. The government
encourages sustainability in industries such as transport, energy, manufacturing and agriculture.
3.0 Sustainability and Economic Development
Sustainability as an intergenerational equity factor looks at the human rights aspect of
sustainability. It considers sustainability as a combination of human wellbeing and environment
friendly methods. Different industries in Auckland have adopted sustainability for a better
ecosystem (Waterfront Auckland, 2013). However, the local government faces challenges with
the implementation and monitoring of the greenhouse emissions. Organizations lack
transparency by business producers in the country (Auckland Council Governement, 2014). The
city also invests in sustainable commercial activities, organic agricultural and agroforestry
production. The consumption of resources is due to the irreversibility of the climate change
factors. Noting that there is a limit to the growth of natural resources, the city supports national
and regional conservation for a steady supply of these resources. Through compulsory CSR, the
city manages to involve business organizations in a holistic process (Scoop;, 2017).
Sustainability ensures that the resources meet the present and future needs. Efforts by the
Australian government and global organizations in sustainability features the use of green
processes in production, manufacturing, engineering and processes. The rise of global concerns
on green gas emissions shifts focus on national efforts in ensuring low emissions. In Auckland,
the introduction of electric buses is an indication of the adoption of changes in the energy and
public sector (Ministry of Transport, 2017). Efficiency in business operations also comes in as a
performance enhancement process.

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Figure 5: Dimensions of Sustainability
4.0 Social development
Human Development Features sustainability as social and economic aspects. In this case, the
sustainability measures include solving inequalities. The overexploitation of water supplies,
minimization of recycling and reduced wastage is on the agenda of sustainability in Auckland.
Policies and practices towards sustainability includes issue of society (Shahraki, 2017). An
effective plan includes risk management, which highlights the angle taken by environmental
principles. Sustainability principles provide solutions for ecological protection and minimizing
wastes for Auckland city. The advancement of global activities such as increased production at
the expense of agriculture. Manufacturing activities affect the environment through air pollution
and exhaustion of natural resources. Recycling is a common factor in Australians activities.
Sustainability as a practice is a human development factor that covers sustainability as a process
and a strategy. In an effort to overcome social, economic and political challenges, communities
pursue sustainability as a concept for health practices. The environmental plans focus on
Sustainability
Economic Development
Social
Development
Environmental
sustainability

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improving resources and safeguarding humanity. Auckland’s regional settlement is a plan
focused on sustainability and refugee settlement (Marlowe & Elliott, 2014).
5.0 Conclusion
Sustainability principles in the local context borrows from the global approaches. Auckland as an
urban city takes up the green approach for present and future approaches. Evidence from the
natural environment indicate the adverse effects of climate change. As a result, Auckland’s local
council works with the national government in the implementation of sustainability principles.
These are concepts for environmental protection, conservation of natural resources, social and
economic factors. Changes in Auckland’s sustainability approaches reveal changes across the
years. Although the concept started as a voluntary approach, today it features as a multilevel and
multidimensional aspect. The city has set sustainability targets in line with the global agencies
like the UN and regional Australian policies. In agreement with collective sustainability, the
principle includes policies for organizations and public participation. Although the concept
largely focuses on environmental or ecological perspectives, it also has social and economic
connotations. Sustainability under CSR has become a legal and ethical principle in Auckland.
Organizations across different industries have adopted this plan in support of global initiatives
for a better environment.

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