Govt must reduce greenhouse pollution not use ‘creative accounting’

The National Government can and should reduce New Zealand’s greenhouse gas pollution rather than exploit ‘creative accounting’ in order to meet its climate targets, the Green Party said today.

Mr Shaw was responding to the Climate Action Tracker report undertaken by four independent European research organisations: Climate Analytics, Ecofys, NewClimate Institute and the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research. It has developed a method to measure the fairness of governmental climate action efforts.

“It looks as though the National Government intends for New Zealand to freeload off the climate action of other countries,” said Green Party Co-leader James Shaw.

“The international report says that while most other governments intend cutting emissions, New Zealand may not have to take any action at all to meet either its 2020 or 2030 targets because it can hide emissions increases through ‘creative accounting’.

“The National Government should rule out using creative accounting to hide emissions increases, and develop a plan for how New Zealand will actually reduce our greenhouse gas pollution.

“The Government can implement policies that are good for the climate and good for New Zealand. For example, the Government can begin work on the Central Rail Link in Auckland, which will reduce carbon pollution and get Auckland moving again.

“The National Government needs to stop being part of the climate problem and start being part of the climate solution.”

Recent estimates show that New Zealand’s net emissions have risen 13 percent since National came to power in 2008.

Climate Action Tracker analysis: http://climateactiontracker.org/countries/newzealand.html

Action

RENAME, REWRITE, and REJECT the Regulatory Standards Bill

Submit your suggested changes to the Regulatory Standards Bill! Tell us how you'd change the bill and we could take it to the House!

Action

Anniversary of the Cannabis Legalisation and Control Bill Referendum

If we were to legally regulate cannabis in Aotearoa, what kind of rules would you want to see around access, possession, use, regulations on sale, ...

Action

Save our Polytechs: Campaign Packs

Want to see more supports for our Polytechs? Use these resources to support the campaign!

Action

Save Our Polytechs Petition

Sign our petition today and join us in calling on the Minister for Vocational Education, Hon Penny Simmonds, to Save our Polytechs!

Action

Protect our tamariki - Sign the open letter

Every child in Aotearoa deserves to grow up with safety and stability, wrapped in aroha. Sign our open letter today and help make that a reality!

Action

Stop Growing Homelessness

Sign our petition asking Luxon and Bishop to take action to stop homelessness increasing in Aotearoa.

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

Hauraki Marine Bill a huge step despite Govt backtrack

The passing of the Hauraki Gulf / Tīkapa Moana Marine Protection Bill has been hailed as a significant step by the Green Party, despite concessions...

Environment Minister abusing role to put freshwater at risk

Documents obtained under the Official Information Act have revealed the Minister for the Environment is pressuring local councils to allow ‘water t...

National direction changes mark dark day for people and planet

Today’s sweeping changes to environmental protections paint a damning picture of a government hellbent on profit at all costs, openly allowing more...

Minister for the Environment missing in action in Budget 2025

Budget 2025 makes it crystal clear that this Government has no interest in protecting nature or securing a liveable future for our tamariki.

Greens question Govt commitment to environmental protection with RMA reform

The Greens are calling on the Government to follow through on their vague promises of environmental protection in their Resource Management Act (RM...

Green Government will revoke dodgy fast-track projects

The Green Party has warned that a Green Government will revoke the consents of companies who override environmental protections as part of Fast-Tra...