The Insurance Council of New Zealand has welcomed the Deep South report on climate change and stormwater and wastewater systems, which highlights the need for a long-term approach to adapting to climate change.
The report, released yesterday, draws attention to a major problem that insurers have been dealing with for many years – a combination of rising sea levels and rainfall,
ICNZ chief executive
Tim Grafton said.
“More frequent and extreme weather events will mean stormwater drains will not cope, causing flooding as well as the cascading impacts of sewerage contamination and damage to other infrastructure,” he said.
According to Grafton, the problem is twofold: Most of New Zealand’s underground infrastructure was built years ago – well before climate change was even thought of – and many local councils either don’t have the resources to invest or they don’t always know the age and state of their underground infrastructure.
“It really is a case of out, of sight out of mind,” he said.
It is a prime example of why New Zealand needs a long view to manage the risks of the changing climate with a major focus on adaptation, he said.
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