Local
board feedback on the proposed Auckland Climate Grant programme 2022/2023
File No.: CP2022/12029
Te take mō te
pūrongo
Purpose of the report
1. To seek local board feedback on the proposed new Auckland Climate
Grant, including grant programme scope and criteria, priority action focus
areas and timing of funding rounds.
Whakarāpopototanga matua
Executive summary
2. Budget
for a climate grant programme was allocated through the 10-year Budget
2021-2031.
3. In
2021/2022 these additional funds were distributed through the existing Regional
Environment and Natural Heritage grant while staff worked to establish a new
grant scheme.
4. Staff
have now developed a proposal for a new Auckland Climate Grant. This has been
developed with feedback from mana whenua and community group stakeholders.
5. In
2022/2023 the Auckland Climate Grants programme has a budget of $400,000.
6. The
purpose of the grant scheme is to support projects that will:
· reduce greenhouse gas emissions through community-based
action
· build community resilience to climate change impacts
· support Māori-led responses to climate change.
7. Key
priority areas for funding for the grant in 2022/2023 have been identified,
based on the priorities in Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri and an analysis
of other available grants. They are:
· Transport: Projects that support a low carbon and safe transport
system
· Built environment and Energy: Projects that support a built
environment and energy system that provides for a low carbon, climate disaster
resilient Auckland
· Food: Projects that support a low carbon, resilient, local food
system and enable Aucklanders to make sustainable and healthy food choices
· Māori-led projects: Projects that build Māori capacity to
respond to climate impacts and support mana whenua and mātāwaka to
reduce emissions and build community resilience.
8. All
local board feedback received by 26 August 2022 on the proposed Auckland
Climate Grant will inform the recommendation to the Environment and Climate
Change Committee.
9. The proposed Auckland Climate Grant will be presented to the
Environment and Climate Change Committee for approval on 8 September 2022.
Ngā tūtohunga
Recommendation/s
That the Māngere-Ōtāhuhu
Local Board:
a) provide feedback on the proposed Auckland Climate Grant.
Horopaki
Context
New funding for a climate grant scheme
10. Budget for a
climate grant programme was allocated through the 10-year Recovery Budget
2021-2031. The grant was intended to provide increased investment to support
local community-based climate projects that would:
· reduce emissions
· increase community resilience to climate impacts
· generate more community-based climate action projects, reaching at
least 20,000 Aucklanders over 10 years.
11. Previously
support for regional sustainable living projects has been allocated through the
Regional Environment and Natural Heritage (RENH) grant programme.
12. In 2020/2021
staff distributed the increased funding for community climate projects through
the RENH. This allowed funds to be allocated rapidly to the community by
December 2021, after the adoption of the Recovery Budget in July 2021.
13. While funds
were being allocated in this fashion, staff carried out a review of the current
processes used to distribute climate and sustainability grants through the RENH
along with the other priorities it covers such as conservation, water quality
and kaitiakitanga.
14. Staff also
consulted with subject matter experts involved in administering the RENH and
applicants on their experience of using the existing grant scheme.
15. The review
showed that there are various disadvantages to continuing to use the existing
Regional Environmental and Natural Heritage Grant to distribute climate and
sustainability projects. These include that the:
· the
existing process covers many priorities with less clear guidance about what
type of climate projects to fund than might be expected from a stand-alone
climate grant
· assessment
processes are more complex and time consuming for staff due to the wide range
of priorities – they require various moderation and review workshops to
ensure that grants are being compared fairly across the range of priority
areas.
16. Staff
determined that creating a stand-alone climate grant would provide a better
experience for applicants and simplify and improve the grant assessment
process.
Stocktake of existing grants and analysis of allocations
17. To develop a
new climate grant, staff carried out a review of other grants that are
available to fund projects which have climate outcomes. Grants identified
include the:
· RENH – provides funding for conservation projects
· Community Coordination and Facilitation grant – supports
capacity building for conservation groups
· Waste Minimisation and Innovation Fund
· Love Food Hate Waste
· Auckland Transport Community Bike Fund
· Ngā Tiriti Ngangahau - The Vibrant Streets Programme
· local board grants to projects with climate outcomes.
18. Grants
external to Auckland Council, such as those offered through Foundation North
were also considered. This process aimed to avoid the grant
‘duplicating’ or ‘replacing’ other potential sources of
funding for community groups.
19. Staff also
analysed allocations from regional and local grants to over 200 projects with
climate outcomes over the last five years. This review yielded insights into
which areas the community are already active and working in (and seeking
funding in). It also identified that some Aucklanders are being under-served by
our current grants processes.
20. The proposed
new climate grant aims to expand areas of community enthusiasm for climate
action and to make the grant process more accessible to some under-served
groups (including Māori, Pacific people, other diverse ethnic groups and
youth-led organisations).
21. Three online
workshops were also held to get feedback from community group stakeholders and
previous grant applicants in May 2022.
Tātaritanga me ngā
tohutohu
Analysis and advice
22. An outline of
the proposed grant purpose, priorities, criteria, activities that are in scope
and exclusions are provided below for local board members to review.
Proposed grant purpose
23. For the
2022/2023 pilot year the Auckland Climate Grant programme has a proposed purpose
of supporting projects that:
· reduce greenhouse gas emissions through community-based action
· build community resilience to climate change impacts
· support Māori-led responses to climate change.
24. The Auckland
Climate Grant programme will support community projects focused on providing
resources, education, and opportunities that result in more Aucklanders
engaging with climate change issues. It will support Aucklanders to make
behaviour changes in areas with the greatest greenhouse gas emissions reduction
potential.
25. Projects that
support reductions in greenhouse gas emission will be the focus for the
2022/2023 funding allocations with a target allocation of 70 per cent of
grants. This allocation target will be reviewed annually. This 70 per cent may
also include projects that are Māori-led (the purpose statements are not
exclusive).
26. The Auckland
Climate Grant programme will also support projects that build community
resilience to respond to the impacts of climate change. Projects should focus
on giving Aucklanders a voice in proactive community resilience planning and
climate adaptation, particularly communities who will be the most vulnerable to
climate impacts and have traditionally been under-served by the council.
27. By building
stronger connections between neighbours and within neighbourhoods, at key
community sites, and with community-based organisations, projects can create
resilience against climate-related stresses with a focus on food and energy.
28. The Auckland
Climate grant programme will also aim to support projects that enable mana
whenua and mātāwaka to respond to climate change. The allocation of
funding will recognise the partnership between the council and Māori-led
organisations – particularly mana whenua in the council’s role as a
partner under Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
Scope and criteria
29. Projects
supported through the Auckland Climate Grant programme should meet one or more
of the following criteria:
· result in new or expanded climate action activity, either by
implementing new initiatives, or by significantly expanding the scope or
coverage of existing activities
· support mana whenua and mātāwaka to reduce carbon
emissions and build community resilience to climate related impacts
· provide support and resources to Māori organisations and
community groups to build organisational capacity and capability, develop
strategic plans and develop sustainable funding models, increasing the total
funding or support secured for climate projects in Auckland
· increase participation in climate action activity in high emission
communities (generally, higher income communities) targeting the highest
emitting behaviours
· increase participation in activities that build community resilience
in under-served communities who most need our support to respond to climate
impacts
· support Aucklanders of different ages, abilities and ethnicities to
take climate action.
Climate action priority areas
30. Projects
supported through the climate grant may address a wide range of the priorities
included in Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri: Auckland’s Climate Plan
including built environment, energy, transport, communities and coast, food,
and Te Puawaitanga ō te Tātai.
31. For the
2022/2023 pilot year priority will be given to applications under the
transport, energy and food themes and to Māori-led projects. This will
include:
· Transport: Projects that support a low carbon, safe transport system
that delivers social, economic and health benefits for all
· Food: Projects that support a low carbon, resilient, local food
system that provides all Aucklanders with access to fresh, sustainable,
affordable and healthy food and projects that support Aucklanders to make
sustainable dietary choices
· Energy: Projects that support a built environment and energy system
that provides for a low carbon, climate disaster resilient Auckland
· Māori-led projects: Projects building Māori capacity to
respond to climate change and supporting mana whenua and mātāwaka to
reduce emissions and build community resilience.
32. Some projects
that support other priorities in the plan may also be funded. These include:
· Built environment: Projects that support a low carbon and resilient
built environment
· Communities: Projects that support communities to increase awareness
of climate change and to prepare for changes in our climate and coastline and
projects that support Aucklanders to understand their carbon footprints and
changes they can made to reduce these.
33. Applicants
will be directed for future guidance on what types of activities to support
through these priorities to Auckland Council’s Live Lightly website,
which provides advice and information for individuals and community groups on
climate change: https://livelightly.nz/.
34. Priority
areas will be updated on an annual basis.
Exclusions
35. General grant
programme exclusions outlined in the Community Grants policy will apply to the
Auckland Climate Grants. In addition, specific exclusions for the Auckland
Climate Grants programme are:
· climate action projects focused on the natural environment, industry
and the economy are out of scope for the Auckland Climate Grant programme
– this will avoid duplication with other funds such as the RENH and
Climate Connect, the new climate innovation hub being developed by Tātaki
Auckland Unlimited
· projects with a focus on the circular economy, food waste,
composting, upcycling, recycling, repair and reuse should apply through the
Waste Minimisation and Innovation Fund
· activities whose primary purpose is the private gain or advancing of
private business interests without a significant public good component
· purchase of vehicles and any related ongoing maintenance, repair,
overhead costs or road user charges
· conference fees and costs
· funding for existing roles or organisational costs
· subscription services where these are ongoing and not associated
with a specific event or outcome
· replication of council services
· websites and electronic platforms.
Applicants
36. The grant
will be open to community groups, neighbourhoods, mana whenua and
mātāwaka applicants, social enterprises, businesses, business
improvement districts and education providers (early childhood centres,
schools, kura and tertiary institutions).
37. Staff propose
to hold several response grants rounds which are intended to make the
application process quicker, simpler and easier for community groups and
increase the volume of successful applications from under-served groups.
Types of grants available
38. Grants from
$1,000 up to $50,000 will be offered, with both response grants and strategic
grants available as shown in Table 1 below.
Response grants ($1,000 - $15,000)
39. These grants
seek to grow community participation in climate action, and amplify existing
community action, particularly among under-served communities such as youth,
Pacific peoples and Māori-led groups.
40. Applications
will be encouraged from groups that have not previously engaged with climate
action activity or are rapidly building capacity in this area.
41. Staff propose
that for these smaller grants, allocation decisions will be made by the General
Manager of Environmental Services.
Strategic grants ($15,000 – $50,000)
42. These grants
seek to support programmes and activities aligning with the Auckland Climate
Grant purpose, scope and priority actions. Strategic grants will be expected to
have more significant impacts than response grants. They could potentially be
used to either expand best practise projects or develop innovative new
responses to the climate challenge.
43. Staff propose
that allocation decisions for strategic grants could be made by the Environment
and Climate Change Committee (or equivalent committee) in future years.
44. In 2022,
because of the timing of the proposed grant adoption decision in early September,
staff propose that decision-making for the strategic grant be delegated to the
General Manager Environmental Services for this year. This will provide
continuity of funding for community groups by December 2022.
45. If grants are
approved by a committee of council, it will not be possible for them to be
allocated to community groups until May 2023 due to the timing of the election
and the Christmas and New Year holidays.
Table 1. Timing of grants
rounds
|
|
Open
|
Close
|
Decision date
|
|
Response grants
|
September 2022
February 2023
April 2023
|
October 2022
March 2023
May 2023
|
November 2022
April 2023
June 2023
|
|
Strategic
grants
|
September 2022
|
October 2022
|
December 2022
|
Tauākī whakaaweawe
āhuarangi
Climate impact statement
46. The Auckland
Climate Grant will support projects that lead to community climate change
action to reduce carbon emissions and increase community resilience to climate
impacts. The provision of grants through the Auckland Climate Grant programme
contributes towards Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri:
Auckland's Climate Plan action area C4: Remove barriers and support community
initiatives that reduce emissions and build resilience in a fair way.
47. Individual projects supported through the Auckland Climate Grant programme may
respond to a range of action areas within Te Tāruke-ā-Tāwhiri:
Auckland's Climate Plan including:t
· Action
area T3: Increase access to bicycles, micro-mobility devices and the safe,
connected and dedicated infrastructure that supports their use
· Action
area C1: Work together to strengthen the resilience of our communities, people
and places
· Action
area F4: Increase supply and demand for local, seasonal and low carbon food.
Ngā whakaaweawe me
ngā tirohanga a te rōpū Kaunihera
Council group impacts and views
48. The Auckland
Climate Grants may potentially impact work within the Waste Solutions and
Customer and Community Services departments, and the existing support provided
to community-led food initiatives. Input from the Waste Solutions department
and Regional Service Planning, Investment and Partnerships team within Customer
and Community Services was sought during the development of the Auckland
Climate Grant and their views on relevant applications will be sought during
the delivery of the 2022/2023 pilot grant rounds.
49. The Auckland Climate Grants support of community-led transport
initiatives may have an impact on Auckland
Transport. Input from Auckland Transport was sought during the Auckland Climate
Grant development and their views on relevant applications will be sought
during the delivery of the 2022/2023 pilot grant rounds.
50. Input into the Auckland Climate Grant was sought from Tātaki
Auckland Unlimited. These grants will not overlap with support provided through
Climate Connect and there is no impact on Tātaki Auckland Unlimited. ,
51. The Environment Climate Committee decision is not a strategy, bylaw,
policy or plan so the local board’s feedback can be made under delegated
authority if needed (Local Government Act 2022, sch7 clause 36D (1) (a)).
Ngā whakaaweawe
ā-rohe me ngā tirohanga a te poari ā-rohe
Local impacts and local board views
52. Equitable geographical
distribution of grant allocations across different local board areas will be
considered alongside other factors when setting funding recommendations for the
Auckland Climate Grants.
53. Information
on funding allocation and successful applicants will be provided to all
relevant local boards following the approval of grant recommendations by the
General Manager Environmental Services or Environment and Climate Change
Committee.
54. Local boards have the ability to operate their own local grants
programmes and may choose to fund local climate action projects and activities,
some of which may complement the grants provided at a regional level, or vice
versa.
55. Local board views are being sought on the proposal to establish the Auckland
Climate Grant programme. Local board feedback will
inform the recommendation to the Environment and Climate Change Committee on 8
September 2022.
Tauākī whakaaweawe
Māori
Māori impact statement
56. Staff
presented to the Infrastructure and Environmental Services Mana Whenua Hui
seeking feedback from mana whenua kaitiaki representatives on aspects of the
grant development.
57. Key feedback
points included the need for the grant process to be easy and accessible to
mana whenua organisations and for the grants to build capacity of mana whenua
to respond to climate change.
58. From December
2021 to March 2022, Māori specialists in the Community Climate Action team
also met with each of the 19 iwi to seek their feedback on climate priorities
that they would like to see advanced through the sustainable and resilient
marae project. Feedback from mana whenua through this process has informed the
priorities identified in the grant scheme, particularly in relation to
Māori-led climate action.
Ngā ritenga
ā-pūtea
Financial implications
59. Budget
for the Auckland Climate Grants was allocated through the 10-year Recovery
Budget 2021-2031. For 2022/2023 financial year there is $300,000 available for
allocation.
60. As
climate projects had historically been supported through the Regional
Environment and Natural Heritage (RENH) grant programme, $100,000 from the RENH
grant budget will be used to support grant allocations through the Auckland
Climate grant.
61. Grant allocations through the Auckland Climate grant response and
strategic grant rounds will be managed within the $400,000 total grant budget.
The majority of funds will be allocated through the strategic grants round.
Ngā raru tūpono me
ngā whakamaurutanga
Risks and mitigations
62. A
risk assessment has only identified two low level risks associated with the
adoption of the Auckland Climate Grant programme. These are
listed below along with the mitigations:
· Low reputational risk – applicants may query the grant scope, priorities
and decision making and feel these are inconsistent or unfair. This risk is
mitigated through the grant development process seeking community input and the
transparent evaluation and assessment process applied to guide decision
making
· Low
financial risk – insufficient applications of
sufficiently high quality will be received to fully allocate available funds. This
risk is mitigated through grant programme promotion and applicant support.
Support with the application process will be available from Auckland Council
staff and community contractors involved with delivery of other areas of the
Community Climate Action Team local and regional work programme.
63. Once grant allocation decisions are made, staff will maintain
regular contact with grant recipients during project implementation to follow
up on progress and make sure any risks of individual projects are properly
addressed.
Ngā
koringa ā-muri
Next steps
64. All
local board feedback received by 26 August 2022 on the proposed Auckland
Climate Grant will be considered before an updated version is presented to
committee.
65. Staff will
present the proposed Auckland Climate Grant to Environment and Climate Change
Committee for approval on 8 September 2022.
66. Once
guidelines for the Auckland Climate Grant have been approved, staff will start
the promotion and delivery of 2022/2023 Auckland Climate Grant funding rounds.
Ngā tāpirihanga
Attachments
There are no attachments for
this report.
Ngā kaihaina
Signatories
|
Authors
|
Emma Cowie-Dixon - Principal Advisor
Jacob van der Poel - Advisor Operations and Policy
|
|
Authorisers
|
Carol Hayward - Team Leader Operations and Policy
Louise Mason - General Manager Local Board Services
Sarah McGhee - Local Area Manager
|
