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"United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has said that the battle for global sustainability will be won or lost in the world's cities. Cities and urban areas are estimated to account for 80 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, and more than half of the world's population live in them, so what we do in our urban centres will, to a large extent, define the future of our world. Governments are struggling to agree on action against climate change, but thankfully many city authorities are just getting on with tackling the problem as best they can. Element takes a look at what authorities in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch are expecting, how they are trying to minimise the damage and preparing for the worst, and how their plans shape up against those elsewhere."

The Wellington Mayor says a compensation deal between council and the developers of a proposed windfarm at Bodgangora has come at a "considerable cost". Rod Buhr says the $2 million Voluntary Planning Agreement with Infigen Energy will be used to upgrade and maintain local roads and to develop a community benefit fund.