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Palmer, Dr Kenneth --- "Foreword" [2008] NZJlEnvLaw 1; (2008) 12 NZJEL v

Last Updated: 15 February 2023

FOREWORD

The year 2008 has been notable for three events among many others. The first event is the more pervasive official recognition of climate change. The international community has been reconvened to consider ongoing implemen- tation of the Kyoto Protocol. The awareness of the problem is global, but the action and solutions continue to be elusive. The European Union has taken a regional initiative and has adopted a stepped approach to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The second events are the respective political elections in the USA (presidential), Canada, Australia, and New Zealand (parliamentary), which may have environmental policy consequences. In Australia, the policy on climate change has altered, with modest new proposals for mitigation. In New Zealand, the outgoing administration enacted an emissions trading scheme regime, but the incoming government is reassessing the potentially onerous obligations. The third significant event has been the global economic and financial collapse of many funding institutions and economies. The consequences domestically for some countries have been severe. Rethinking biofuel objectives, finding water supplies, and sustenance for millions of impoverished inhabitants on this planet remain major issues.

The articles selected for this volume of the Journal reflect in part the environmental and sustainability challenges of the present time. The subjects include the European Emissions Trading Scheme and the Kyoto Protocol implementation. The role of environmental taxes in relation to border control, and the charging for the use of the coastal commons within New Zealand are considered. Environmental protection of deep seabed mining is another area of concern. The nature of property rights in environmental management, and resource consents are assessed. Further, within the New Zealand context, the provision of electricity supplies, the encouragement of green buildings, and better urban design outcomes are the subject of articles. Lastly, the opportunities for community conservation groups to negotiate covenants are considered.

The editor wishes to acknowledge the significant contributions by the respective authors. On the production side, much appreciation is accorded to Mike Wagg for detailed sub-editing, and Amy Tansell for processing the Journal content. The collegial support of the Board of the New Zealand Centre for Environmental Law, and support of the academic and general staff of the Law School of the University of Auckland is further acknowledged.

Dr Kenneth Palmer

Editor

Faculty of Law

The University of Auckland December 2008