Bold action to cut climate pollution
The Green Party will take bold action to cut climate pollution at the speed and scale required.
Over the last six years, the Green Party has done more to protect the climate than the past 30 years of governments combined. We have put in place the strongest climate plan Aotearoa has ever had, paid for by polluters. But climate pollution is not coming down fast enough.
The next government must pick up the pace and scale of climate action. It will be crucial to have people around the table making decisions that are consistent with warming limited to 1.5 degrees.
The time is now to prioritise climate action that builds thriving communities that work for people and nature, and honours tino rangatiratanga of hapū and iwi.
Strong climate action means warmer homes that are more affordable to heat. More people will have the choice to walk or cycle – or ride on fast, frequent, affordable buses or trains that run on clean electricity.
We will produce food in ways that are good for the planet, good for people, and good for farmers. Our native forests and wetlands, oceans, and green urban spaces will thrive. And we’ll create thousands of new sustainable jobs.
Our plan
- Establish a standalone Ministry of Climate Change, with clear direction to create a Tiriti based approach to managing the transition to a zero carbon, climate resilient Aotearoa.
- Empower the Climate Change Commission to directly set unit supply in the Emissions Trading Scheme, in line with Emissions Budgets.
- Strengthen the Zero Carbon Act by requiring government decisions to be consistent with limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees, setting gross emissions reduction targets, and bringing the processes for setting international commitments into the same framework.
- Introduce a price on agricultural emissions, to ensure methane reduction targets are met, with reinvestment in on-farm emissions reduction.
- Ensure that the Emissions Trading Scheme includes all scientifically credible forms of sequestration, such as indigenous reforestation and restoring coastal wetlands, with capacity building to maximise the opportunity for nature-based solutions and biodiversity co-benefits, including dedicated support for Māori landowners.
- Ensure Aotearoa meets our Paris Agreement commitments through strong domestic action and environmentally and socially responsible initiatives overseas.