Government announces climate action plan

Climate Change Minister James Shaw has today released the Government’s Climate Action Plan in response to the Productivity Commission’s inquiry into the low emissions economy.

“Our Government is committed to a just and rapid transition to a low emissions economy, because it’s vital that we play our part looking after our planet. We’re already taking action on many of the Productivity Commission’s recommendations. Climate change is an urgent issue requiring an urgent response, to ensure a stable climate for future generations of New Zealanders,” James Shaw said.

“The Commission was clear that we must work together across every sector of our economy, from energy to transport to agriculture. We are all in this together. Whether it’s supporting coastal communities to plan for sea level rise, working to make electric cars cheaper for families, or partnering with businesses and farmers to find the best ways to reduce their emissions and create sustainable jobs, our Government is working alongside New Zealanders to tackle the climate crisis.”

“We have listened to expert advice on how to reduce emissions. Cabinet has agreed to 43 of the Productivity Commission’s recommendations and agreed to do more work on 33 further recommendations. For example, work is well underway to fix the Emissions Trading Scheme and establish an independent Climate Change Commission, reduce the price of electric cars, and require big businesses to report their climate-related financial risks – as the Commission recommended.”

“I thank the Productivity Commission for its important work providing the evidence base for Aotearoa New Zealand’s transition to an economy that works for people and the planet,” said James Shaw.

More information from the Ministry for the Environment:

https://www.mfe.govt.nz/productivity-commission-report-government-response

Watch James's speech on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnJ-8vZw79Y

Background:

In 2017, Ministers asked the Productivity Commission to “identify options for how New Zealand could reduce its greenhouse gas emissions through a transition towards a lower emissions future, while at the same time continuing to grow incomes and wellbeing.”
In December 2017, the new Government asked the Commission to take into account the intention for New Zealand to set stronger emissions reduction goals through the Zero Carbon Bill, and encouraged the Commission to consider the benefits and opportunities from New Zealand leading global efforts to combat climate change.
The Commission reported back in August 2018, and its work has informed government policy since then.

Volunteer

The Greens are proud to be driven by passionate people like you. Today we need your help to take action on the biggest issues facing New Zealand.

Action

Save Auckland's Climate Budget

Sign the petition to stop Mayor Wayne Brown's proposal for dangerous cuts to climate and environmental programmes that protect us from extreme weat...

Action

No New Mines 2023

Action

Expand Voting

Now more than ever, young people in Aotearoa are impacted by Government decisions, and they deserve to have a say. We are calling on all Members of...

Action

End Intensive Winter Grazing

Sign the petition to Labour Ministers, to move faster in bringing regulations into force and end intensive winter grazing.

Action

Trains for Climate

Add your name to our open letter urging the Minister for Finance Grant Robertson to save our passenger trains between Wellington, the Wairarapa and...

Action

Healthy Oceans 2022

Join our Healthy Oceans Crew to help us keep the health and protection of our oceans high on the Labour Government’s political agenda.

Action

It's time: A Ministry for Rainbow Communities

Join our call asking the Prime Minister to establish a Ministry for Rainbow Communities that can champion Rainbow issues.

Action

No new mines on conservation land

Sign the open letter asking Labour Ministers to stick to their promise of banning new mining projects on conservation land.

Action

Allow community ownership of our buses

Public transport is an essential service and helps to tackle the climate crisis by reducing our carbon emissions. But there are barriers to communi...

Action

Local Events

We have activists across Aotearoa / New Zealand who are working hard to build a brighter future for our kids and grandkids. This page lists upcomin...

Latest Environment Announcements

Story

Forestry sector must compensate for slash damage

The Green Party welcomes today’s release of the report of the Ministerial Inquiry into slash and sediment, and are clear that the forestry industry...

Greens launch petition to protect conservation lands from mining by Mineralogy International Limited

The Green Party has today launched a petition calling for conservation land to be protected from mining by big overseas companies such as Mineralog...

National's drought of ideas won't help farmers facing climate change

Christopher Luxon and the National Party have once again presented another lazy, back-of-the-napkin policy to Aotearoa.

Freshwater crisis needs stronger government action

New Zealand’s rivers, lakes and freshwater are in crisis and there needs to be a more ambitious Government plan to clean them up and protect agains...

Greens welcome waste strategy release and work

The Green Party is today welcoming the release of the Government’s waste strategy, but says it has a big gap without action on the container return...

NZ needs strong protection against water privatisation

New Zealanders deserve strong protection against the future privatisation of water assets, the Green Party says.

Story

Come on National, is that the best you can do?

A visionless National Party has stolen Government policy and rebranded it as their own.

IPCC report shows 2023 is a ‘now or never’ climate election

“This is it; 2023 will be the last opportunity New Zealand has to get a government that will confront the climate emergency with the urgency it dem...

Greens back School Strike demands

The Green Party backs the demands of the School Strike for Climate.

Greens not on board with fossil fuel subsidy

The Green Party is calling on the Government to provide direct support to low-income households and to stop subsidising fossil fuels during a clima...

Green Party backs School Strike demands

The Green Party backs the demands of the School Strike for Climate.

Big emitters will have to do more to cut emissions

The biggest polluters will have to do more to help meet climate targets because of changes the Government is making to decade-old settings that hav...

Story

Green initiative addresses both climate and inequality

A long standing Green Party policy has been extended yet again in this year’s Budget. This will deliver warmer homes for thousands of people, lower...

Greens on board with more affordable buses and trains

The Green Party is fully on board with free bus and train travel for under 12s and half price travel for under 25s - next stop, free travel for all...

Government needs to broaden KiwiRail inquiry focus

The Green Party is calling on the Government to broaden the focus of its inquiry into KiwiRail, after widespread disruption in Auckland.

Lower North Island rail on the right track, but more investment needed

Government investment in a new fleet of trains in the lower North Island is another win for Green Party solutions - but much more ambition will be ...

Waitematā Harbour crossing options not good enough

Rapid transit for the Waitematā Harbour crossing must be the priority - not more car lanes that will make congestion and climate change worse.

Greens secure win for clean transport

The Green Party has made it easier for commuters to access e-bikes thanks to an amendment to tax rules.

Story

Greens welcome waste strategy release and work

The Green Party is today welcoming the release of the Government’s waste strategy, but says it has a big gap without action on the container return...

Container return scheme will benefit recycling and the oceans

The work Green Ministers did last term is continuing to make a difference, with the announcement today that the Government is planning to introduce...

Waste strategy needs to learn from nature

Anything less than a transformational national waste strategy and waste legislation will not be enough, the Green Party said today.

Greens welcome progress on hard to recycle and single use plastics, but more needs to be done

The Green Party welcomes progress on the phase-out of some hard to recycle plastics and some single-use plastics, but says more must be done.

More action on waste – Government funds recycling infrastructure, moves to standardise kerbside collections

$36.7m Government investment in high-tech recycling plants nationwide Plan to standardise and improve the nation’s kerbside collections As part o...

New rules for the outdoor storage of tyres

The Government is introducing environmental standards for tyres stored outdoors announced Associate Minister for the Environment, Eugenie Sage. “A ...

Policy

Research, Science and Technology Policy

The Green Party will support the values from te ao Māori as relevant ethical guidelines for the conduct of science and biotechnology in Aotearoa Ne...

Story

National’s failed R&D plan missing the D

The National Government’s research and development (R&D) funding system needs a massive overhaul in light of new information from Deloitte that...

Story

Greens will keeping pushing to protect public ownership of water

The Green Party will continue to push for strong protections of core public assets so they cannot be sold off against the wishes of New Zealanders.

Green Candidates confirmed for Palmerston North City Council 2022

Emerging from an energetic selection meeting, we’re pleased to announce that Kaydee Zabelin and Brent Barrett are your Green Party candidates for P...

Kaydee Zabelin selected as Green candidate for Palmerston North City Council

Kaydee Zabelin has today been selected as a Green Party candidate for Palmerston North City Council in the 2022 election.

Greens welcome Three Waters recommendations

The Green Party welcomes the recommendations of the Three Waters independent working group and urges the Government to seriously consider the repor...

Boosting housing and clean transport only realistic option for LGWM

The Green Party says Let’s Get Wellington Moving can and must address the climate & ecological crises and provide for more affordable homes.

Press pause on Three Waters reforms

The Green Party says the Government should hit the pause button on its three waters reform so it can fully address the concerns that have been rais...

Story

Stronger action needed to stop Iran regime violence

Stronger action consistent with New Zealand’s commitment to freedom, justice, and equality is needed to hold those responsible for violence and hum...

Political parties call for action on Iran

Parties from across Parliament have come together to call on the Government to take decisive action to hold those responsible for violence and huma...

Greens call for sanctions on Iranian regime

The Green Party is calling for Aotearoa New Zealand to follow the EU, UK, and Canada by imposing sanctions and restrictions on the organisations an...

Green Party applauds strength of Iranian protestors and communities

The Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand applauds the strength of Iranian protestors and the communities supporting them in Iran and around the worl...

At-risk Afghans evacuated to Aotearoa must be reunited with family

One year on from the fall of Kabul to the Taliban, the Green Party is calling on the Government to do more to support our most at-risk evacuees.

Pacific engagement must tackle climate change and avoid militarisation

Aotearoa must retain its independent foreign policy in the Pacific region, the Green Party says.