Aotearoa likely to see significant changes to climate approach

Ōtepoti – Aotearoa is likely to see significant changes, for the global better, under a new nationwide climate change commitment according to the Paris agreement.

Once Kiwis know the cost of meeting new nationally determined contributions, with off-shore mitigation which will involve the payment of billions of dollars to other countries, will that change Aotearoa’s willingness to reduce domestic emissions sooner and by more?

Will taxpayers and voters be willing to subsidise those who profit from polluting?

As for other issues, will these scenarios take place in New Zealand soon:

• Sheep and beef farmers – breeding, feeding and managing for lower emissions per kilo, research, fewer sheep and cattle, more trees
• Dairy farmers – same as above except not trees but plant protein – horticulture. Less palm kernel extract – feed supplement eaten by dairy cows to boost milk production and nitrogenous fertilisers
• Food processors – bio-fuels in place of fossil fuels, electricity from low to no emissions sources
• Transport operators – emissions standards for new to market and existing fleet tightening over time, and electrification and mode shift
• Air travellers – much less until sustainable aviation fuels for long hall and electrification for short haul, are the only ways to fly, even if flying sustainably is much more expensive and less frequent
• High emission vehicle owners – regulation and pricing

Kiwis must appreciate nationally determined contributions are at the heart of the Paris Agreement and the need to achieve long-term goals. He Pou a Rangi Climate Change Commission has excellent advice on this and other climate issues.

Globally, power prices have reached record levels due to multi-year high oil and natural gas prices and energy shortages across Asia, Europe and the US.

Fossil fuels made up nearly 80 percent of world energy supply in 2020. Renewables made up just 12 percent.

Investment in renewable energy needs to triple by the end of the decade if the world hopes to effectively fight climate change and keep volatile energy markets under control, the International Energy Agency (IEA) says.