Sustainability

Expertise by Division

Areas of Expertise

Sustainability

Sustainability is generally regarded as constituting development that "meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs" (the Brundtland Report, 1987).

In today's global economy, the issue of climate change has forced the international community to confront the question of sustainability. In almost every country, governments, businesses and individuals are striving to incorporate sustainability into their actions and future conduct.

Minter Ellison Rudd Watts is intrinsically aware of the challenges that arise from pursuing sustainability, as well as its inherent link to the issue of climate change. (Please click here to view our climate change page).

We work with our private and public sector clients (whether they be local or global in their outlook and operations) to ensure that they can effectively respond to the challenges posed by sustainability. Our objective is to enable clients to:

make the best decisions in light of existing international and domestic rules

advance (and protect) existing operations

positively influence the development and implementation of new rules.

Minter Ellison Rudd Watts has extensive experience and skills in the sustainability arena. Our wide-ranging work in this area encompasses:

renewable energy projects

understanding and appreciation of the New Zealand Government's focus on sustainability, particularly in terms of the following six Government initiatives:

helping households towards sustainability
business partnerships for sustainability
eco-verification
government purchase of sustainable goods and services
carbon neutrality
towards zero waste

implementation of the Kyoto Protocol, particularly in the New Zealand context

assessment of "food miles" concept

consideration of the emissions trading schemes already developed in the European Union and being proposed for Australia and New Zealand

review of consistency of climate change initiatives with international trade rules

forestry projects

New Zealand's legislative and regulatory framework relating to green claims

wider biodiversity activities, particularly in terms of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)

alignment with broader corporate social responsibility programmes.

Minter Ellison Rudd Watts is a sponsor of Gareth Renowden's book 'Hot Topic', New Zealand's first major book about global warming - and its implication for Kiwis.

Please click here to view the website.