EDS Activities

Focus areas

In order to maximize impact, EDS focuses its efforts on a small number of key but rather large environmental issues at any one time. The three areas of current focus are:

• Conservation of New Zealand's outstanding landscapes, particularly those along the coast and lakesides
• Protection and sustainable management of our lakes, coastal waters and oceans
• Reducing the emission of greenhouse gases and responding to the impacts of climate change

Types of activities

EDS is dedicated to improving environmental management where this will lead to enhanced environmental outcomes. We achieve this through a range of activities as described below:

Building capacity

EDS builds the capacity of affected community groups and individuals so that they can participate in an informed and responsible manner in decisions about the environment.

Providing advice

EDS provides advice to resource management professionals, environmental  managers, local authority and central government officials, and developers to assist them to apply environmental best practice.

Undertaking research and policy analysis

EDS undertakes research and policy anaylsis into current environmental management efforts and benchmarks New Zealand's environmental policy and management performance against international best practice. 

Profiling environmental issues

EDS profiles environmental issues and generates informed debate and consensus-building through hosting conferences and seminars.

Building partnerships

EDS builds partnerships with business and government in order to work towards common environmental objectives and responsible and sustainable development and resource management.

Litigating

EDS litigates in the courts but only where necessary to protect nationally significant resources and to stop poor environmental practices.