17 Mar 2021

Tiwai Point smelter at risk of sea level rise

From Midday Report, 12:14 pm on 17 March 2021

A climate scientist agrees Tiwai Point is at extreme risk of sea level rise, and a report finding possible catastrophic consequences needs to be taken seriously.

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A 170-page report on risks and options to clean up the Rio Tinto site went to the Government last October - and found it is nearly certain sea level rise will breach the smelter's huge landfill within a century.

But the smelter disagrees with the report's findings, saying it contradicts advice from other experts.

Belinda Storey is the managing director of Climate Sigma – she spoke to Māni Dunlop.