NZ needs Zero Carbon Act to honour Paris Agreement

Wednesday, 17 August 2016, 5:22 pm
Press Release: Generation Zero

NZ needs Zero Carbon Act to honour Paris Agreement

Wednesday 17 August
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Youth organisation Generation Zero has welcomed today’s announcement by the Government to ratify the Paris Agreement by the end of the year, but reiterated that New Zealand needs a Zero Carbon Act to live up to the agreement.

“Ratifying the Paris Agreement is one thing, but the real test is the actions New Zealand commits to,” said campaign spokesperson, Lisa McLaren

“It’s not enough to just look at 2030 - to realise the safe climate goals the whole world agreed to in Paris, we need to wipe out carbon pollution by around 2050.”

“To live up to the Paris Agreement and do what it takes to safeguard our future, New Zealand needs a Zero Carbon Act.”

Generation Zero has begun drafting legislation for New Zealand based on the UK’s successful 2008 Climate Change Act. The Zero Carbon Act will establish a legally-binding framework that sets an emissions pathway to the long-term goal of being zero carbon by 2050. It will require that the government implement policies that meet the pathway, and set up an independent expert body to recommend actions and monitor progress.

“For far too long, our governments have let us down. They have set meaningless targets and avoided any real action. The Zero Carbon Act is the framework we need to fix this,” said Miss McLaren.

“Like the UK, we need an independent body of experts to help guide the transition to zero carbon. We need full transparency and accountability in examining the options available to New Zealand to get on the right path.”

“If we don’t act with urgency and foresight now, it will be too late. That’s why we need the Zero Carbon Act.”

ENDS

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