New Zealand’s first-ever Emissions Reduction Plan will set the course for climate action through 2035, and the government is seeking feedback on proposals before finalising the official plan in time for Budget 2022. The Emissions Reduction Plan will set the course for climate action until 2035. It will lay out plans for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in a variety of sectors, including energy, transportation, waste, agriculture, construction, and financial services.
“We are putting forward for discussion a range of ideas that would reduce our emissions and can also create jobs and new opportunities for Kiwi businesses and our economy,” said the Prime Minister of New Zealand.
The government also wants to prioritise ideas that will save the peoples money, such as cleaner energy, which results in lower utility bills. With the passage of the Zero Carbon Act and the work of the Climate Commission over the last four years, the government has laid the groundwork for a prosperous, low-emissions economy. The recent discussion document allows New Zealanders to express their preferences for policies that will help the country meet its climate targets.
We have the opportunity to build back differently after COVID-19 and the Emissions Reduction Plan will be a key component of our recovery.
– New Zealand’s Prime Minister
OpenGov Asia in an article reported that a cross-government partnership has been formed to turn this around and make New Zealand a global leader in clean technology. One of the report’s key recommendations was to increase collaboration among government organisations to increase investment in clean technology. Another is collaborating with multinational corporations to help businesses grow.
New Zealand’s innovation agency clean tech spokesman stated that new technologies will help the country meet its carbon targets and build a high-value export sector while also creating jobs. More investment was required to commercialise some of the emerging technology to achieve this. The partnership would develop a five-year roadmap to attract investment, strengthen local and global networks, scoping new initiatives and develop clusters of cleantech businesses.
“Tackling climate change is a job for everyone. Be it, school children or business leaders, I hear from a range of New Zealanders about the opportunities a low carbon future offers our country, so I encourage everyone to have their say.” the Prime Minister then noted.
The discussion document released as of today, according to the Minister of Climate Change, is not a documentation of the Emissions Reduction Plan. Rather, it is a chance to get feedback on what should be included in the plan. Since the independent Climate Change Commission’s final advice was released in June, discussions have been taking place across government about how Ministers and agencies can support emissions reductions in their portfolios – and what can be included in the final Emissions Reduction Plan.
The official document on the Emissions Reduction Plan, which will be released next year, will need to outline future policy and regulatory changes, as well as actions that businesses, towns and cities, and communities can take. It will also outline how we will make the transition in a way that is both inclusive and equitable. The consultation is the next step in this process.
The Prime Minister went on to say that it is an opportunity for the government to hear from iwi/Mori, local communities, businesses, and unions to get this right. The public feedback will help shape the discussions that are currently taking place across the government about what will be included in New Zealand’s first-ever Emissions Reduction Strategy.
In addition, according to a New Zealand energy company, energy sustainability has improved while energy security has deteriorated. More fuel diversity, decentralised storage, and increased demand-side participation are critical to improving New Zealand’s energy security and affordability.
