Govt report to UN projects massive increase in NZ emissions

A New Zealand Government report to the UN on climate change shows that emissions are set to climb dramatically in the next 20 years, and that current policies are doing almost nothing to reduce emissions, said global conservation organisation WWF today.

“This report shows that New Zealand is expecting a massive increase in carbon emissions at a time when it is critical that we reduce emissions to avoid runaway climate change,” said WWF-NZ Head of Campaigns Peter Hardstaff.

New Zealand’s Sixth National Communication to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) was prepared by the Ministry for the Environment and released late last week.

The report shows that under current policy settings - New Zealand’s net emissions are projected to rise to almost 85 Gg CO2 by 2030 which is 160% above 1990 levels and 47% above 2011 levels.

“The report clearly shows that Government is failing to address climate change, it cannot credibly claim to be doing its fair share while projecting massive increases in emissions,” said Mr Hardstaff.

“This report will be reviewed by the UN next year and it will show that New Zealand is failing on climate change. Our international reputation is at stake here, as is the future health of the planet."

The likely impacts of climate change on New Zealand include rising sea levels, increases in severity and frequency of coastal storms, more floods, landslides and droughts.

“It is still possible to stop the worst of climate change. A clean energy future for New Zealand is 100% possible but it won’t happen by accident. We need action rather than spin from our Government, said Mr Hardstaff.

New Zealand’s Sixth National Communication under the United Nations on Climate Change and the Kyoto Protocol report available at http://www.mfe.govt.nz/publications/climate/nz-sixth-national-communication/index.html.
See pages 100-101 - for summary of projected emissions increases.
See page 18, figure 1.2 for table showing limited impact of current policy measures vs doing nothing.

ENDS

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