Purpose of the RMA

The purpose of the RMA is to promote the sustainable management of natural and physical resources. ⁴³³⁸   The term “natural and physical resources” includes air. ⁴³³⁹   Sustainable management is defined to mean (emphasis added): ⁴³⁴⁰

managing the use, development, and protection of natural and physical resources in a way, or at a rate, which enables people and communities to provide for their social, economic, and cultural wellbeing and for their health and safety while—

(a) Sustaining the potential of natural and physical resources (excluding minerals) to meet the reasonably foreseeable needs of future generations; and

(b) Safeguarding the life-supporting capacity of air, water, soil, and ecosystems; and

(c) Avoiding, remedying, or mitigating any adverse effects of activities on the environment

Air quality is not specifically referred to in sections 6 or 7 of the RMA.

Last updated at 10:44AM on November 27, 2015