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.”

Latest Environment Announcements

Story

Green Party calls for stronger action by Auckland Council to protect urban trees and native forest

The Green Party is calling on Auckland Council to do more to protect urban trees and housing developer Aedifice Property Group to restore and repla...
Read More

Story

You *wood* not believe it: Greens secure win for urban trees

The Green Party’s advocacy has secured an amendment to the Natural and Built Environment Bill at a crucial stage of the Parliamentary process to en...
Read More

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...
Read More

Story

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...
Read More

Story

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.
Read More

Story

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...
Read More