Govt set to miss first significant deadline on climate target

The National Government looks set to miss the first UN deadline to submit its emissions reduction target for 2030, the Green Party said today.

Mexico, Norway, Switzerland and the European Union’s 28 member states have delivered their ‘intended nationally determined contributions’ (INDCs) to the United Nations (UN) ahead of a March 31 deadline. Switzerland has set a target to reduce 1990 emission levels by 50 percent by 2030. The US is committed to meeting the deadline, and China and the US have already made public commitments to cut emissions.

“The Green Party is calling on the Government to set an early and ambitious carbon reduction target to help achieve a positive climate outcome in Paris,” said Green Party Co-leader Dr Russel Norman.

“New Zealand is missing an opportunity to set an early example that will encourage other, larger countries to set reduction targets that are equally ambitious, timely, detailed, and achievable.

“New Zealand currently has no 2030 target and the Government is yet to even begin public consultation on the matter.

“Carbon emissions are going the wrong way under National. Net emissions have increased 20 percent since National took office and the Ministry for the Environment is projecting net emissions to increase by 48 percent over the next decade.

“National have been a disaster for the climate nationally and they are now looking like they will game climate negotiations taking next to no responsibility for addressing the climate crisis.

“National needs to change direction on the climate now so we can play an active part internationally in addressing the greatest challenge of our time.”

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