Mission
The Commission was created in November 2019 by the Zero Carbon Act alongside work to set Aotearoa New Zealand's climate targets. The Act passed with multi-party support in Parliament.
They were created following persistent calls from central and local government, NGOs, businesses and other advocates for an independent government organisation focused on climate action. Those groups also called for a comprehensive, evidence-based plan for Aotearoa New Zealand to follow towards its climate goals.
The Zero Carbon Act amended the Climate Change Response Act 2002. This Act sets out their purpose, the work they must produce and the way they must approach it.
He Pou a Rangi: Ingoa Māori: Their te reo Māori name
The simplest translation of He Pou a Rangi is a pillar of the sky. The concept considers our role as upholders of the sky. We are honouring the sky and in turn, have a duty to care for it.
Pou can uphold, provide a point of connection, protect, and provide stability. In a te ao Māori view, pou provide a two-way connection, both upholding and uplifting what is above, but also connecting and grounding with what is below. Pou connect Ranginui, the sky father, to Papatūānuku, the earth mother.
Using 'He' Pou ('a' pillar) rather than 'Te' Pou ('the' pillar) recognises that we are one of many pou or organisations working together to address climate change.
Voluntary Commitments
The Sendai Framework Voluntary Commitments (SFVC) online platform allows stakeholders to inform the public about their work on DRR. The SFVC online platform is a useful toolto know who is doing what and where for the implementation of the Sendai Framework, which could foster potential collaboration among stakeholders. All stakeholders (private sector, civil society organizations, academia, media, local governments, etc.) working on DRR can submit their commitments and report on their progress and deliverables.