Minister for Climate Change James Shaw has welcomed the ‘Declaration for Ambition’ on climate change, signed by the High Ambition Coalition group of countries. The Coalition is a group of countries, including New Zealand, who are committed to ambitious action to combat climate change. “As the world works towards the next United Nations climate change conference in Poland later this year, it’s important to join with other countries to push for effective climate action and implementation of the Paris Agreement. “Taking...

Economic analysis to support the development of the Zero Carbon Bill shows the importance of economic innovation and of planting trees, Minister for Climate Change James Shaw says. Five technical reports, released today, together set out possible economic pathways for the transition to a net zero emissions economy. “The economic modeling shows that we can reduce emissions at the same time as growing the economy, jobs, and per-household incomes. “On the other hand, we know if the world doesn’t act...

The Minister for Climate Change has welcomed WWF-New Zealand’s Open Letter offering its congratulations on the Government’s goal of getting the country to net zero emissions by 2050. Their support comes the day before public consultation on the proposed Zero Carbon Bill begins. It has been signed by more than 200 people including business leaders from Z Energy, Les Mills gyms, DB Breweries, the Body Shop and Meridian Energy, as well as the mayors of Wellington, Whanganui, Christchurch, Gisborne and...

Public input will be sought on proposals to enact the Government’s policy of no new mines on conservation land, Conservation Minister, Eugenie Sage announced today. Last November, in her Speech from the Throne, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced there would be no new mines on conservation land. The Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage and Energy and Resources Minister Megan Woods, will consult the mining sector, iwi, local government, environmental and community groups, and the wider public, through a discussion document to...

Proactively planning how we can adapt to climate change urgently needs to weave into the work of every organisation, at every level, in every sector of New Zealand if we hope to adapt to the effects of climate change, says a group of climate change adaptation experts.  Climate Change Minister James Shaw today released the Climate Change Adaptation Technical Working Group’s (CCATWG) recommendations on what New Zealand needs to do to adapt to the effects of climate change.   CCATWG Co-Chair,...

Budget 2018 marks a significant step in our plan to transition to a net-zero-emissions economy by 2050, says Climate Change Minister James Shaw. “The Green Investment Fund will stimulate significant private-sector finance into the low-emissions projects and businesses that New Zealand needs. “In places like Australia, the UK and some US states, green investment funds have been hugely successful, attracting capital to fund low-carbon transitions and reduce climate pollution. As Mōhio’s recent climate-finance report[1] states, global capital is already shifting...

The Minister for Climate Change says a Productivity Commission draft report into New Zealand’s transition to a low-emissions economy supports work the Government is already putting in place to get there. “The Productivity Commission’s draft report clearly shows it is possible for New Zealand to transition to a low-emissions economy and the Government is already doing or planning to do many of the things that will make this happen,” says James Shaw. “As the Productivity Commission points out, this transition...

Key leaders from the finance, business, environment, church, government and academic communities met today to talk about how the New Zealand financial and economic sector can best respond to climate change. Climate Change Minister James Shaw says he’s been impressed by the enthusiasm and leadership shown by the financial and business sector during the panel discussion in Auckland. “Our new Government has made the commitment that New Zealand will transition to a net zero economy by 2050,” says James Shaw....

The Green Party is heralding today’s announcement ending new fossil fuel exploration in New Zealand’s oceans as a massive step towards a stable climate and to protecting our marine life and beaches. “The Green Party and thousands of New Zealanders have been working for decades towards this day and this decision – that fossil fuels are not our future," said Green Party Co-leader James Shaw. “Ending deep sea oil and gas exploration has long been a key goal of the...

A climate change report released today (4 April) by Westpac shows there are big savings to be made from early and planned action on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, says the Minister for Climate Change James Shaw. “This report is in line with what I have been saying since becoming the Minister for Climate Change, that there are big opportunities to be had from acting on climate change sooner rather than later to meet Paris Agreement commitments to limit global temperature...