Volume One 19. Climate Change physical resources and the ability of people and communities to utilise these resources. It is therefore desirable to investigate local climate change, especially as Marlborough contains two distinct climate zones: a wetter climate north of and including the Richmond Range and a drier climate south of the Richmond Range. The findings gained from research initiated through this policy can be applied to better understand the potential implications of climate change in a Marlborough context. [R, C, D] Policy 19.1.3 – Enable primary industries to adapt to the effects of climate change. Farmers and foresters are inherently adaptable resource users and it is likely this will need to continue into the future as changes in climate begin to affect users' ability to utilise land and freshwater resources. Responses to increased temperatures and reduced water availability may require modifications to farming practices or diversification of crops or stock types. Increased temperatures and reduced frost risk may also create opportunities to produce crops not previously grown in Marlborough. Similar opportunities could exist for the aquaculture industry as a result of increasing sea water temperatures. As Marlborough’s economy is based on these primary industries, it is important that such adaptations can be made. [R] Policy 19.1.4 – Take a precautionary approach to the allocation of additional freshwater resources and where freshwater has already been allocated, ensure that the allocation reflects the status of the resource. Sustainable flow regimes established through previous resource management plans have been reviewed during the preparation of the MEP. This involved a review of the sustainable yield from Marlborough’s rivers and aquifers to confirm appropriate levels of allocation to resource users. Historical flow and level records were utilised as part of this process, including data that has been recorded since the original plans were notified. This approach ensured that any influence of climate change on sustainable yield was taken into account. Given the importance of freshwater to the social and economic wellbeing of Marlborough, consideration was also given to opportunities to provide additional access to freshwater resources. Appropriate caution was applied to this task as the opportunities enabled by the allocation may not be realised if climate change reduces sustainable yield in the future. Access to freshwater may become unreliable to the extent that people cannot make a return on the investments made. This risk should be considered in perspective, taking into account the variable nature of Marlborough’s freshwater resources in response to natural climate oscillations. This policy can be applied to the environmental data collected over the life of the MEP. In this way, the policy will also inform any subsequent review of the provisions contained in Chapter 5 - Allocation of Public Resources. [R] Policy 19.1.5 – Ensure that the freshwater that is available for out-of-stream use is allocated and used efficiently, by: (a) requiring that the rate of water use authorised by water permit be no more than that required for the intended use, having regard to the local conditions; (b) enabling the transfer of water permits between users within the same Freshwater Management Unit; and (c) enabling the storage of water for subsequent use during low flow and low level periods. One of the significant risks of climate change locally is that Marlborough’s climate may become drier, with drought periods becoming more frequent and longer in duration. If this happens, it is essential that available freshwater resources are allocated and utilised efficiently to ensure that the social and economic benefits that can be derived from the freshwater that is available are 19 – 3