Climate Change

Humans are changing the atmosphere by burning fossil fuels, deforestation and intensive agriculture, and this is will change the global climate in dangerous ways. To learn more see our
guide to climate change.

Scientists say we need to act in the next 10 years to avoid catastrophic climate change, and yet New Zealand has increased its greenhouse gas emissions 25% since 1990, falling far short of our Kyoto Treaty targets.

The new Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) will put a price on carbon, but it's full of holes. The agricultural sector is exempt, meaning billions in taxpayer subsidies, the Government is still on a motorway building binge, and new coal mines are being commissioned.

We need to kick the carbon habit with real emission reductions and a transition to a low carbon economy. We believe we owe it to our children and grandchildren to act now, and if all countries work together we can address this global challenge.

Read our climate change policy - kicking the carbon habit

What's New

These are our top stories. Find all our climate change content here.

Making your voice heard on New Zealand's emissions reduction target

The government wants comments on New Zealand's emissions reduction target.

Greens win support for sustainable biofuels on Green Day

01 Jul 2009

The Green Party is optimistic about the future of biofuels now that the Government has signalled support for the Green’s Sustainable Biofuel Bill being introduced tonight. "Without sustainability standards, National’s biodiesel subsidy has the same problem that Labour’s biofuel sales obligation initially had - no protection for the world’s hungry or for the environment,” Jeanette said.

Metiria questions Smith on 2020 climate change target

30 Jun 2009

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[Uncorrected transcript—subject to correction and further editing.]
1. METIRIA TUREI (Co-Leader—Green) to the Minister for Climate Change Issues: How much, if at all, will the Government’s climate change emissions target for 2020 be influenced by the Synthesis Report published last week to inform the December 2009 conference of the parties at Copenhagen?

Green’s split-target the way forward

30 Jun 2009

A split-target for emissions reductions is the practical way forward for New Zealand. It is really important that we don’t hide behind our agriculture emissions and fail to set a strong target for carbon dioxide, Metiria said.

Economic models support action on climate change

17 Jun 2009

New economic modelling shows that New Zealand can continue with an Emissions Trading Scheme at little economic cost and Green Party MP Jeanette Fitzsimons says it is a clear message to Government to stop dithering and get on with it.