Climate change Nats back Govt emissions budgets
The National Party supports greenhouse gas emissions budgets set yesterday by the Government, continuing a run of cross-party collaboration on climate change.
The budgets set limits on how much carbon dioxide equivalent greenhouse gasses the country can emit over three periods up to 2035, as part of a long-term target of net zero emissions by 2050 and limiting global warming to under 1.5C. On Monday the Government will unveil the Emissions Reduction Plan, showing how budgets will be achieved.
Climate Change Minister James Shaw yesterday described the
budgets as a “sinking lid” on the path to zero emissions by 2050.
National Party leader Christopher Luxon said they supported the targets and budgets, continuing the crossparty support that got the Zero Carbon Act over the line back in 2019.
National would support the budgets in the debate set for this Thursday in Parliament, he said.
National had signed New Zealand up to the Paris Agreement and voted for the Zero Carbon Bill in 2019, which established emissions budgets and the Climate Change Commission.
The initial emissions budgets are set over three time periods.
The first covers 2022-2055, allowing no more than 290 megatonnes to be released.
At about 72mt a year this would be roughly two less than emitted over the past five years and about just under 3mt more than projected, but in line with Climate Change Commission recommendations.
The following five years, 2026-2030, would see ambition increase, with 305mt allowed or about 61 a year — about 20 per cent less than the five years to 2021.
The third period, 2031-2035, allows for 240mt at 48mt a year, or a 35 per cent down on the five years to 2021.
Shaw said these budgets would ensure New Zealand fully played its part in keeping warming below 1.5C.
The plan to meet these budgets comes out next Monday.
Shaw said a permanent climate change board will be established to co-ordinate climate change policy across government.
It will report to the Climate Emergency Response Group of Ministers chaired by the prime minister.
The Government has said climate and health will likely be a major focus of Budget 2022.