Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in
Book cover

Environmental Security in the Asia-Pacific pp 157–178Cite as

Palgrave Macmillan

Environmental Security and the Contradictory Politics of New Zealand’s Climate Change Policies in the Pacific

  • Chapter

Abstract

In the hierarchy of global environmental problems, anthropogenic climate change is recognized as one of the most serious. New Zealand, however, is developing a reputation as a laggard in response to the need for climate change mitigation initiatives (Wilson and Nair, 2014), with its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in 2011 being 46 percent higher than in 1990 (Karoly, 2011). The upward trend in GHG emissions points to the failure of the state’s responses to climate change (Chapman and Boston, 2006; Ministry for the Environment, 2013) and its inability to negotiate tensions between its goals of economic growth and environmental protection. At a broader level, climate change is an issue that exemplifies the challenges of global environmental problems for national environmental policy making and the ethical dilemmas in determining what is fair and equitable in addressing increased vulnerability (Adger et al., 2006).

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD   109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Adger, W., Paavola, J., and Huq, S. (2006) “Towards Justice in Adaptation to Climate Change,” pp. 1–20. In W. Adger, J. Paavola, S. Huq and M. Mace (Eds.), Fairness in Adaptation to Climate Change (Cambridge, MA: MIT Press).

    Google Scholar 

  • Allwood, J. (2013) How Climate Change Displaces Pacific Island Settlements and the Publics Perception of Large Scale Migration. Master of Social Science Thesis (Hamilton, NZ: The University of Waikato).

    Google Scholar 

  • Barnett, J. (2000) “Destabilizing the environment-conflict thesis,” Review of International Studies 26:2, 271–288.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barnett, J. (2001a) The Meaning of Environmental Security (London: Zed).

    Google Scholar 

  • Barnett, J. (2001b) Security and Climate Change. Tyndall Centre Working Paper No. 7. Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research. University of East Anglia.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barnett, J. and Campbell, J. (2010) Climate Change and Small Island States: Power, Knowledge, and the South Pacific (London: Earthscan).

    Google Scholar 

  • Beck, U. (1992) Risk Society (Beverley, CA: Sage).

    Google Scholar 

  • Beck, U. (1995) Ecological Politics in the Age of Risk (Cambridge, UK: Polity Press).

    Google Scholar 

  • Brown, L. (1977) Worldwatch Paper 14: Redefining National Security (Washington, DC: Worldwatch Institute).

    Google Scholar 

  • Bührs, T. (2008) “Climate Change Policy and New Zealand’s ‘National Interest’: The Need for Embedding Climate Change Policy into a Sustainable Development Agenda,” Political Science, 60:1, 61–72.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bullock, D. (2009) “The New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme: A Step in the Right Direction?” (Wellington, NZ: Institute of Policy Studies Victoria University).

    Google Scholar 

  • Chapman, K. (2012) “Govt Accused of ‘Ecocide’ over ETS Changes’,” http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/7927888/Govt-accused-of-ecocide-over-ETS-changes. November 9.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chapman, R. and Boston, J. (2006) “Introduction: Critical Issues,” pp. 15–26. In R. Chapman, J. Boston, and M. Schwass. (Eds.), Confronting Climate Change Critical Issues for New Zealand (Wellington, NZ: Victoria University Press).

    Google Scholar 

  • Clarke, S. (2010) “Aiding the Pacific: Exploring New Zealand’s Aid Agency,” http://policyprojects.ac.nz/stephanieclark/download-full-report/. The University of Auckland Public Policy Programme Retrieved October 15, 2014.

    Google Scholar 

  • Climate Change Response (Moderated Emissions Trading) Amendment Bill § Preferred Options (2009).

    Google Scholar 

  • DairyNZ (2011) Dairy Industry Statistics, http://www.dairynz.co.nz/file/fileid/ 45159 (Hamilton, NZ: DairyNZ).

    Google Scholar 

  • Dalby, S. (2002) Environmental Security (Borderlines, 20) (Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press).

    Google Scholar 

  • Detraz, N. and Betsill, M. (2009) “Climate Change and Environmental Security: For Whom the Discourse Shifts,” International Studies Perspectives, 10, 303–320.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Deudney, D. (1990) “The Case Against Linking Environmental Degradation and National Security,” Millennium, 19:3, 461–476.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Edwards, M. (1999) “Security Implications of a Worst-Case Scenario of Climate Change in the South-West Pacific,” Australian Geographer, 30:3, 311–330.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Elliot, M. and Fagan, D. (2010) “From Community to Copenhagen: Civil Society Action on Climate Change in the Pacific,” pp.61–88. In B. Burson (Ed.), Climate Change and Migration: South Pacific perspectives (Wellington, NZ: Institute of Policy Studies Victoria University).

    Google Scholar 

  • Elliott, L. (1998) The Global Politics of the Environment (London: MacMillan Press Ltd).

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Elliott, L. (2012) “Climate Migration and Climate Migrants: What Threat, Whose Security?,” In J. McAdam (Ed.), Climate Change and Displacement: Multidisciplinary Perspectives (Oxford and Portland: Hart Publishing), 175–190.

    Google Scholar 

  • Emerson, J., Hsu, A., Levy, M., de-Sherbinin, A., Mara, V., Esty, D., and Jaiteh, M. (2012) “2012 Environmental Performance Index,” http://epi.yale.edu/epi2012/rankings (New Haven, CT: Yale Center for Environmental Law and Policy).

    Google Scholar 

  • Falk, R. (1971) This Endangered Planet: Prospects and Proposals for Human Survival (New York: Random House).

    Google Scholar 

  • Farbotko, C. and Lazrus, H. (2012) “The First Climate Refugees? Contesting Global Narratives of Climate Change in Tuvalu,” Global Environmental Change, 22:3, 382–390.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gleditsch, N. P. (1998) “Armed Conflict and the Environment: A Critique of the Literature,” Journal of Peace Research, 3593, 381–400.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Grossman, J. and Lees, A. (2001) Towards Excellence in Aid Delivery (Wellington, NZ: NZ Government).

    Google Scholar 

  • Hardin, G. (1968) “The Tragedy of the Commons,” Science, 162, 1243–1248.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hayward, B. (2008) “Editorial,” Political Science, 60:3, 3–7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Homer-Dixon, T. (1999) Environmental Security and Violence (Princeton: Princeton University Press).

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaefer, F. (2014) Credibility at Stake? News Representations and Discursive Constructions of National Environmental Reputation and Place Brand Image: The Case of Clean, Green New Zealand. Unpublished PhD Thesis (Hamilton, NZ: The University of Waikato).

    Google Scholar 

  • Karoly, D. (2011) Climate Futures and Choices for Society. Paper Presented at the Climate Futures Forum: Pathways for Society (Wellington, NZ: Victoria University of Wellington), March 31–April 1.

    Google Scholar 

  • Locke, J. (2009) Climate Change-Induced Migration in the Pacific Region: Sudden Crisis and Long-term Developments. The Geographical Journal, 2009, 1–10.

    Google Scholar 

  • Matthew, R. and McDonald, B. (2004) “Networks of Threats and Vulnerability: Lessons from Environmental Security Research,” ESCP Report, 10, 36–42.

    Google Scholar 

  • McCully, M. (2009) Aid Increases as NZAID Changes Focus (Wellington, NZ: NZ Government).

    Google Scholar 

  • Ministry Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) (2007) Sustainable Land Management and Climate Change: Plan of Action, www.maf.govt.nz/mafnet.rural-nzn (Wellington, NZ: NZ Government).

    Google Scholar 

  • Ministry for the Environment (1994) Climate Change: The New Zealand Response: New Zealand’s First National Communication under the Framework Convention on Climate Change (ME 147) (Wellington, NZ: NZ Government).

    Google Scholar 

  • Ministry for the Environment (1997) Climate Change: The New Zealand Response: New Zealand’s Second National Communication under the Framework Convention on Climate Change (June 1997) (Wellington, NZ: NZ Government).

    Google Scholar 

  • Ministry for the Environment (2001a) Climate Change Impacts on New Zealand (ME 396) (Wellington, NZ: NZ Government).

    Google Scholar 

  • Ministry for the Environment (2001b) National Communication 2001, New Zealand’s Third National Communication under the Framework Convention on Climate Change (Wellington, NZ: NZ Government).

    Google Scholar 

  • Ministry for the Environment (2007) The Framework for a New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme (Wellington, NZ: NZ Government).

    Google Scholar 

  • Ministry for the Environment (2012) New Zealand’s Fifth National Communication Climate Change: Policies and Measures, http://www.mfe.govt.nz/publications/climate/nz-fifth-national-communication/page5.html Retrieved May 25, 2012.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ministry for the Environment (2013) New Zealand’s Sixth National Communication under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and Kyoto Protocol (Wellington, NZ: NZ Government).

    Google Scholar 

  • Ministry for the Environment (2014) Climate Change: Climate Change Impacts in New Zealand, http://www.mfe.govt.nz/climate-change/how-climate-change-affects-nz/climate-change-impacts Retrieved September 25.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (2010) Statement of Intent 2010–2013 (Wellington, NZ: NZ Government).

    Google Scholar 

  • Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (2011) NZ Aid (Wellington, NZ: NZ Government).

    Google Scholar 

  • Mitchell, R. (2010) International Politics and the Environment (London: Sage).

    Google Scholar 

  • NZAid (2013) New Zealand’s Fast-start Finance (Wellington, NZ: NZ Government) .

    Google Scholar 

  • NZAid (2014a) 2013 Year in Review: Pacific Focus Global Reach (Wellington, NZ: NZ Government).

    Google Scholar 

  • NZAid (2014b) Where NZ aid Works, http://www.aid.govt.nz/programmes/ Wellington, NZ: NZ Government).

    Google Scholar 

  • O’Brien, K., Hayward, B., and Berkes, F. (2009) “Rethinking Social Contracts: Building Resilience in a Changing Climate,” Ecology and Society, http://www.ecologyandsociety.org/vol14/iss2/art12, 14:2, 12.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (2008) “Niue Declaration on Climate Change: Annex B to the Final Communiqué of the 39th Pacific Leaders’ Forum,” Niue, August 19–20.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (2009) UN Endorses Pacific Sponsored Resolution on Climate Change. Press Statement 36/09, June 11, 2009, http://www.forumsec.org/pages.cfm/newsroom/press-statements/2013/2009/un-endorses-pacific-sponsored-resolution-on-climate-change.html.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (2013) Majuro Declaration for Climate Leadership. Annex 1 to the Final Communiqué of the 44th Pacific Leaders’ Forum, Majuro, September 3–5.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (2014) “Final Communiqué of the 45th Pacific Leaders’ Forum,” Palau, July 29–31.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schubert, R., Schellnhuber, H., Buchmann, N., Epiney, A., Grießhammer, R., Kulessa, M., Messner, D., Rahmstorf S., and Schmid, J. (2009) Climate Change as a Security Risk (London: Earthscan).

    Google Scholar 

  • Statistics New Zealand (2012) Agricultural Production Statistics: June 2012 (final) (Wellington, NZ: NZ Government).

    Google Scholar 

  • Te Ara (2014) Development Assistance and Humanitarian Aid (Wellington, NZ: NZ Government).

    Google Scholar 

  • Trombetta, M. (2008) “Environmental Security and Climate Change: Analysing the Discourse,” Cambridge Review of International Affairs, 21:4, 595–602.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • TV3 News (2009) Govt Puts Carbon Emissions in the Too-hard Basket, http://www.3news.co.nz/general/govt-puts-carbon-emissions-in-the-toohard-basket-2009072619#ixzz3FVNcVcFQ:TV3.

    Google Scholar 

  • United Nations (1992) United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (New York, NY: United Nations).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors
  1. Patrick Barrett
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Priya Kurian
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Jeanette Wright
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Ajou University, Korea

    Iain Watson (Associate Professor) (Associate Professor)

  2. University of Waikato, New Zealand

    Chandra Lal Pandey (Postdoctoral Fellow) (Postdoctoral Fellow)

Copyright information

© 2015 Iain Watson and Chandra Lal Pandey

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Barrett, P., Kurian, P., Wright, J. (2015). Environmental Security and the Contradictory Politics of New Zealand’s Climate Change Policies in the Pacific. In: Watson, I., Pandey, C.L. (eds) Environmental Security in the Asia-Pacific. Palgrave Macmillan, New York. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137494122_6

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation