The Government has released its climate strategy which it says is "aimed at reducing the impacts of climate change and preparing for its future effects".
Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced the launch of the strategy today in Auckland.
Labour said the strategy only paid "lip service" to climate change targets and was "flimsy and backwards-looking".
The strategy was based around five "pillars" which underscored the Government's commitment to delivering on its climate change goals, Watts said.
The pillars were, according to the Climate Change Minister:
- That infrastructure was resilient and communities were well prepared
- That credible markets supported the climate transition
- That clean energy was abundant and affordable
- That world-leading climate innovation boosted the economy
- That nature-based solutions addressed climate change.
Watts said households, businesses, and the economy were already feeling the effects of climate change.
"We have seen what severe weather can do to infrastructure and property, and how that disrupts our supply chains and communities," he said.
“Our Government has committed to meeting our climate change targets - reducing net emissions is one of the nine Government targets to achieve better results from the public service.”
He said between 2007 and 2017, climate change cost around $120m in privately insured flood damage and $720m in drought-linked economic loss.
There were 750,000 New Zealanders and over 500,000 buildings near rivers and coastal areas already exposed to extreme flooding.
Emissions Reduction Plan consultation on the way
A statement from Watts' office said the Government would also soon consult on the Emissions Reduction Plan for the period 2026-2030, which would form the basis of the Government’s response to reduce New Zealand’s emissions in line with its targets.
“The Emissions Reduction Plan will set out policy proposals across the five pillars and focus on the largest drivers of emissions in New Zealand – energy, transport, agriculture, and waste sectors," Watts said.
Announcement 'lip service', says Labour
Labour Climate Change spokesperson Megan Woods said that if Watts believed his plan was comprehensive or ambitious then "New Zealand is in real trouble".
"This three-page document is flimsy and backward looking. I can’t help but wonder if the Government is scrambling to get ahead of the climate commission’s report card on emission reductions that is due in the coming days."
She said the announcement showed the Government was "simply paying lip service to meeting its climate change targets".
"We have seen $3 billion cut from climate initiatives in Budget 2024, including cuts to the work of the Climate Change Commission and stripping down the Warmer Kiwi Homes which led to lower energy bills for Kiwis and made homes more efficient.
"More than seven months into the Government’s term, there is still no concrete plan to reduce our emissions; meet out climate targets; or ensure we have a resilient future. This lack of action will put at risk Kiwi jobs and New Zealand’s international reputation."
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