G20 climate comment increases pressure on NZ

The G20 decision to include climate change in its communiqué despite Australia’s attempt to ignore it, increases pressure on New Zealand to come up with a credible plan to cut emissions, the Green Party said today.

The G20 Leaders Communiqué from the weekend included a paragraph calling for strong and effective action to address climate change.

“With the G20 released a statement supporting action on climate change, it’s embarrassing that Prime Minister John Key continues to indicate that New Zealand plans to continue increasing emissions,” said Green Party Co-leader Dr Russel Norman.

“The Government needs to open the process up to the public and let New Zealanders have a say on our post-2020 climate targets.

“Many New Zealanders will not be aware that Government policy will lead to a 50 percent increase in emissions in the next 10 years.

“Six years of increasing emissions, while whinging that it is too hard to do anything, has left New Zealand in a challenging position.

“The National Government’s plans are grossly irresponsible. We need to rapidly change course and adopt policies that actually cut emissions,” said Dr Norman.

New Zealand climate facts
• Currently fifth highest emissions per capita in the OECD and they are increasing. [1]
• 20 percent increase in net emissions under National. [2]
• Ministry for Environment report released this month shows a 50 percent increase in NZ’s projected net emissions. [3]
• Advice from officials is that the gap between our reduction commitments and reality is widening. [4]
• Ministry for the Environment briefing indicating New Zealand is currently on track to miss our 2050 emissions reduction target. [5]

For more information:
[1] 5th in OECD, http://stats.oecd.org/
That they are increasing – see figures listed in each of MfE’s Annual Reports
[2] New Zealand’s Greenhouse Gas Inventory, Common reporting tables http://www.mfe.govt.nz/sites/default/files/publications/climate/greenhouse-gas-inventory-2012/common-reporting-format-tables.zip
[3] MfE Annual Report 2014 page 68
[4] https://home.greens.org.nz/misc-documents/oias-development-nzs-global-climate-deal-committment
[5] http://www.mfe.govt.nz/sites/default/files/media/About/environment-bim-final.pdf page 21

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