Proper funding will be crucial to new environmental reporting regime

The Government’s independent environmental reporting legislation will stand or fall on the level of financial support it is given, says Labour’s Environment and Climate Change spokesperson Moana Mackey .

“We are seeking an assurance from Amy Adams that adequate funding  will be provided and this won’t be a case of shifting money around from existing  projects.

“I am pleased to see the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment playing a review role on a three yearly basis. This will be crucial in ensuring the overall analysis is effectively shared with the general public.

“It makes sense to separate the collection of data out from the analysis and review of the results. Having the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment independently comment on the findings, as well as the integrity and appropriateness of the data being collected, will add credibility to this new system of environmental reporting.

“And while the use of Tier one statistical analysis appears appropriate we want to ensure that such an analysis will fit with the best practice environmental reporting. That has to include best practise in relation to the withholding of any information or analysis used in an environmental report, ” says Moana Mackey.

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