Carbon zero plan given green light
Photo: Michelle Morss (QLDC Strategy and Development Manager), Mat Woods (CE Destination Queenstown) and Tim Barke (CE Lake Wānaka Tourism) leaving Council just after the unanimous vote
Queenstown Lakes regenerative tourism strategy, which includes the ambitious Carbon Zero 2030 goal, has been given a ringing endorsement by the district's councillors.
The 61-page strategy has been developed over the past two years by Destination Queenstown (DQ), Lake Wānaka Tourism (LWT), and the Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC), with input from Kāi Tahu and the Department of Conservation.
It was presented to Queenstown' elected members at a full meeting of QLDC yesterday, Thursday, 10 February.
Their unanimous approval means it will now set the direction for the visitor industry for the next seven years.
That will see the industry focus on decarbonisation, promoting biodiversity, and becoming a world leader in green tourism, as well as supporting the community's social and cultural life.
Mayor Glyn Lewers, who campaigned on tackling climate change, told councillors they all had to push the destination management plan as individuals.
"It’s a visceral drive for me personally and as the leaders of this district we have to drive it," he said.
The ‘Travel to a thriving future’ plan outlines the current state of tourism, defines regenerative tourism and outlines 23 key projects to be delivered.
These range from developing arts, culture and heritage, to zero waste and pollution, to emergency and climate adaptation preparedness.
The keystone project of the strategy, is to rapidly cut emissions and make the visitor economy carbon zero by 2030. The commitment includes Scope 3 emissions – all emissions from air travel and ground transportation.
Scoping work has already begun on how the region will decarbonise the visitor economy, with initial results expected next month.
DQ chief executive Mat Woods says: "It’s good to have the official endorsement from our councillors who represent our community.
"Now it really is time to get on with the 23 projects on the list. I'm looking forward to having the governance in place and setting up our project teams."
The plan draws on Kāi Tahu (the region’s iwi) values to inform decision-making including whanaukataka (family and community focused), manaakitaka (hospitality) and kaitiakitaka (guardianship).
Launched in December, it was designed to be community-driver from the start, says LWT chief executive Tim Barke.
"Created with and for the local communities, the people of Queenstown Lakes have expressed their aspirations for what tourism can become," Barke says.
"This collective vision provides opportunities for everyone in the region, as well as greater wellbeing for people and the planet.”
The first initiative, launching in early April, will be a funding platform which enables visitors and industry to support localised climate, conservation and biodiversity action.
The strategy is an output of the Grow Well | Whaiora Spatial Plan, a formal partnership between QLDC, Kāi Tahu and the Crown and an action in the QLDC Climate and Biodiversity Plan.
Lewers adds: "The plan will continue to evolve and the partnership welcomes feedback from the community at any time for consideration at the next periodic review point.
"So we urge everyone who lives here or has an interest in our region to stay informed and sign up to our newsletter."
Four carbon zero strategies outlined:
• Mitigate emissions by deploying existing clean-energy solutions, fostering more rapid innovation, accelerating the adoption of existing technology, and making significant conservation efforts
• Understand optimal visitation levels and focus on value by increasing length of stay and/or yield per visitor and total revenue
• Evolve marketing plans and influence partner organisations to change the business mix, attracting market segments with a lower carbon-intensity and higher value
• Invest in carbon removal solutions on the path towards decarbonisation for difficult to abate emissions, in line with Oxford Principles.
Four strategic priorities called pillars:
• Enrich communities and enhance the visitor experience
• Restore the environment and decarbonise the visitor economy
• Build economic resilience, capability and productivity
• Foundations for success
