No more excuses – climate action starts today

The Paris Climate Agreement coming into force is a triumph for ordinary people around New Zealand and the world who have demanded politicians take action to stop climate change, the Green Party said today.

The Paris Climate Agreement will come into force today after crossing the threshold of at least 55 countries, responsible for 55 percent of global emissions, joining the agreement.

“Around the world there’s a real desire for action on climate change, and I think we’ve seen that shift here in New Zealand," said Green Party Co-leader James Shaw.

“In the last few years thousands of New Zealanders have marched in the streets, petitioned the Government, and demanded real action on climate change.

“The National Government is slowly beginning to wake-up to the urgency, and also the opportunity, climate change presents – but now we need to see real evidence that they have a strong plan to actually reduce our emissions.

“National needs a rethink of its economic strategy to fit with the new climate reality. Carbon emissions have increased 19 percent since National took power.

“Tackling climate change represents a huge opportunity for New Zealand. It’s a chance to invest in electric public transport, build healthier, and more energy-efficient homes, and shift to more sustainable forms of agriculture," said Mr Shaw.

Latest Climate Change Announcements

Story

Treasury confirms $5 billion bill for Luxon's climate inaction

Treasury has put a price tag on Luxon's Government's climate inaction, with new analysis showing it could cost up to $5 billion to buy the offshore...
Read More

Story

Budget 2026 confirms Luxon’s climate ‘plan’ is a trashfire

Budget 2026 confirms the Government has no plan to meet our commitment under the Paris Climate Agreement, at a cost that previously Treasury calcul...
Read More

Story

Luxon quietly borrows $1.4 billion more to hide climate failure

The Green Party has revealed Luxon's failed climate policies have created a $1.4 billion fiscal hole, after the Government's retreat on climate cau...
Read More

Story

Luxon’s Government found breaching trade agreements again

Today’s report from Lawyers for Climate Action shows that Luxon’s handouts to fossil fuel companies likely breach New Zealand’s trade agreement wit...
Read More

Story

NZ democracy at risk of corporate corruption - Green Party backs urgent inquiry

Allegations that the Prime Minister’s office withheld information about backroom lobbying by major climate polluters - ahead of legislating to prev...
Read More

Story

Luxon protects polluters’ profits in sweeping, rushed climate change law amendment

The Government’s surprise announcement this morning to amend the Climate Change Response Act is yet another example of Luxon loosening the leash fo...
Read More