Source: Climate Change Commission
Aotearoa New Zealand must accelerate the transition to a low emissions, climate-resilient future, He Pou a Rangi Climate Change Commission Chair Dr Rod Carr says.
“We need to build on the momentum from the Government’s first emissions reduction plan, and the changes made by households, businesses, and communities to reduce emissions,” Dr Carr says
“Increasing renewable electricity generation, the uptake of electric vehicles, conversions away from coal, and reducing agricultural emissions are all positive signs that business and households are increasingly committed to achieving a low emissions future.”
“But our analysis shows that we still have much more work to do if we are going to meet the next emissions budget and our longer-term climate goals. The Government must now broaden, strengthen, and accelerate action so the country can meet its climate change objectives.”
“The proposed recommendations in our draft advice are what the Commission considers the highest priority, most urgent actions required to achieve Aotearoa New Zealand’s 2026-2030 emissions budget and enable the country to meet its emissions reduction goals,” Dr Carr says.
The Commission’s proposed recommendations include:
- Accelerating EV charging infrastructure roll out to keep up with demand.
- Bringing new renewable electricity generation online faster and making sure local lines companies are able to support growth.
- Scaling up efforts to move industry away from coal and other fossil fuels.
- Preparing for the rapid roll-out of low emissions technologies and practices on farms.
- Retrofitting buildings so they are healthier, more resilient, lower emissions and cheaper to run.
- Avoiding new installations of fossil gas where there are affordable low emissions alternatives.
- Making it much easier for people to use public transport and active transport.
- Improving the capture of methane at landfills.
- Accelerating Iwi/Māori emissions reduction by allocating resources directly.
- Sorting out the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme and the role of forestry.
“For our advice to be relevant, usable, and practical, our thinking needs to be informed by a range of diverse perspectives from across the motu. Consultation is the opportunity to share those views with us,” Dr Carr says.
“Our advice will help guide the strategic direction of policy development, which in turn needs to send clear signals to businesses and households about the importance and benefits of taking actions to reduce emissions,” Dr Carr says.
“However, continued uncertainty and delays could make it challenging for the country to meet its emissions budgets.
“We encourage New Zealanders to share their views with us. We know from previous experience, engaging with New Zealanders from a variety of sectors and communities improves our mahi, and we are committed to meaningful consultation on this draft advice.”
Information:
- Our advice on the next emissions reduction plan is part of a wide range of work the Commission is developing between now and December 2024. We will also be providing advice on the next emissions budget and a review of Aotearoa New Zealand’s climate targets, and monitoring the Government’s progress on climate mitigation and climate adaptation.
- Bringing new renewable electricity generation online faster and making sure local lines companies are able to support growth.
- Consultation on the Commission’s latest draft advice to inform the government’s next emissions reduction plan opened today and will run for eight weeks through to 20 June.
- We are using an online submission process similar to the one we ran for Ināia tonu nei. You can access our consultation platform here: Have Your Say | Climate Change Commission. https://haveyoursay.climatecommission.govt.nz/comms-and-engagement/erp2/
- During our consultation period, we are running a series of public panel discussions with universities around the country, as well as hosting a number of online sessions. Details about how to attend these sessions will be available at: https://www.climatecommission.govt.nz/get-involved/events/
- Following consultation, the Commission will incorporate feedback before finalising the advice and presenting it to the Government by 31 December, 2023.
- To ensure that the country keeps moving towards its climate targets, the Commission provides independent, evidence-based advice on the direction of policy to the Government every five years to help guide its next emissions reduction plan. https://environment.govt.nz/what-government-is-doing/areas-of-work/climate-change/emissions-reduction-plan/ We last provided advice like this in our 2021 report, Ināia tonu nei. https://www.climatecommission.govt.nz/our-work/advice-to-government-topic/inaia-tonu-nei-a-low-emissions-future-for-aotearoa/
- Our latest advice provides advice on strategic policy direction for 2026-2030, the period covered by the Government’s second emissions budget. https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/aotearoa-sets-course-net-zero-first-three-emissions-budgets
- An emissions budget is the quantity of emissions that will be permitted in each five-year emissions budget period. It includes all the greenhouse gases listed in the Climate Change Response Act, expressed as a net amount of carbon dioxide equivalent (calculated using the internationally agreed measure – GWP100).
- Emissions budgets are set with a view to meeting the 2050 emissions reduction target and contributing to the global effort under the Paris Agreement to limit the global average temperature increase to 1.5° Celsius above pre-industrial levels.
- Emissions budgets one, two, and three, covering the period 2022-2035, have already been set by the Government. We will deliver advice on the emissions reduction plan for third emissions budget period (2031-35) in 2028, 5 years from now.
