The Joy of Standards - Regulating Air Quality in New Zealand
In 2004, the Ministry for the Environment promulgated the first national environmental standards (for air quality) under the provisions of the Resource Management Act 1991. Whilst the ambient concentration limits are similar to limits set elsewhere in the world, the regulations contain a unique, and controversial, approach to air quality management.
The regulations place specific restrictions on the granting of resource consents (i.e. licence or permits) for discharges of PM10 particulates in airsheds where the ambient standard is likely to be breached. The restrictions further have a deadline of 2013, after which time if the standard is breached no resource consent at all may be granted. In doing so, the regulations explicitly provide for the use of offsets, that is, allowing new discharges to be 'put in' as long as old discharges are 'taken out'.
The regulations also introduce a new design standard for domestic wood burners, these being the primary source of PM10 particulates in most urban areas of New Zealand. In April 2006, the Ministry in partnership with Nelson City Council and Environment Canterbury undertook a performance review of wood burners. The review incorporated in-store verification of 35 wood burners as well as purchase and full emissions/efficiency testing of 10 wood burners and revealed widespread non-compliance.
This paper discusses both development and implementation of the first national environmental standards in New Zealand and the outcomes of the wood burner performance review. A key focus will be the different viewpoints of central and local government as well as how they work together.
Keywords: standards, regulation, air quality management, wood burner, local government, central government