Source: Greenpeace
A new report from New Zealand’s independent Climate Change Commission has shown that efforts to reduce emissions have stalled since the Luxon Government took power, and that New Zealand is no longer on track to meet its emissions reduction targets.
Greenpeace spokesperson Will Appelbe says, “This report is a stark warning – the Luxon Government is undermining climate action, putting everyday New Zealanders at risk.
“From day one, this Government has abandoned New Zealand’s climate credibility – bringing back offshore oil and gas exploration, removing the clean car discount, cancelling the Lake Onslow Battery Project, and letting agribusiness off the hook for their climate pollution. Now, we’re seeing the consequences of this climate denialism.”
The Commission’s report warns in particular that agricultural emissions are a ‘significant risk’ and that New Zealand will not meet existing methane emissions reduction targets without significant action from the Government.
Appelbe says, “Everyday New Zealanders – including farmers – are already experiencing the impacts of climate change. It’s going to get worse, unless we take action now – and this report shows that the Government is falling dangerously short.”
In 2025, the New Zealand Government became the first in the world to change the law to weaken climate targets. They reduced the methane target and adopted the controversial concept of ‘No Additional Warming’, against advice from the international scientific community.
Simultaneously, they confirmed that they would not make the agricultural industry pay for its climate pollution – a move that this report says will limit emissions reduction.
Appelbe says “Methane is our climate emergency brake. Reducing methane emissions from the intensive livestock industry now will give us a fighting chance of preventing the worst of the climate crisis.
“That’s why it’s so concerning to watch this Government recklessly cave to agribusiness lobbyists like Federated Farmers, and undermine any attempt to reduce methane emissions from intensive livestock farming.”
“New Zealanders want to see urgent climate action that keeps us safe and protects future generations. This Government’s war on nature goes against what New Zealanders stand for – and Luxon should expect resistance.”