While we’ve been battling some wild, wet and windy conditions across the country (that are fast becoming the new normal for Spring in Aotearoa) the government casually made some major changes to the Climate Change Response Act and the Zero Carbon Act which were previously supported across party lines.
A quick summary of these key changes include:
- The Climate Change Commission (an independent group of experts) is no longer required to advise on Emission Reduction Plans (ERPs)
- There will not be public consultation for ERPs or adaptation plans
- The Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) no longer needs to align with NZ’s international commitments
- Reduced methane emissions targets and agriculture were removed from the ETS
We are not alone with our concerns of how these changes will affect our future. You can read responses from a number of different experts here, as well as get the general low-down of all these changes here.
We’ve also created an easy email template so you can add your voice alongside ours to let the government know that we won’t stand for these changes.
Diving into details a bit deeper:
The Climate Change Commission was established as an independent advisor to provide expert, evidence-based policy advice to the government – so it is particularly worrying that the government has decided it is no longer a requirement to consult them when creating new Emission Reduction Plans (ERPs). ERPs are policies and strategies to decarbonise all sectors of the economy.
Additionally, by removing the need for the government to allow for public consultation, they are withholding opportunities for people and communities to give direct feedback on the policies that affect them most.
These new changes have also seen them ‘kick the can down the road’ by pushing out dates on some reporting and plans. For example, government organisations were required to be carbon neutral by 2025, this target has now been pushed out to 2050.
These announcements come on top of other recent government changes such as reducing its requirements for Climate Disclosure Reporting. A system designed to help drive corporate responsibility and promote a more sustainable financial system. The reporting threshold used to be for businesses over $60 million but this has been increased to $1 billion – which will significantly reduce the number of companies required to report (plus managed investment funds have been removed completely).
All these actions pose a threat to the places and people we love. The effects of climate change are becoming more apparent every day, and action needs to be taken now, not kicked down the road, to help safeguard our future.
Although these types of announcements can be disheartening, it is also a great time to remember we have the capacity to tell these officials when they are not reflecting the interests of the people. We have already contacted the relevant ministers to emphasise that we don’t agree with the changes to the Zero Carbon Act. But the more voices we are, the easier we are heard.
We’ve made it particularly easy to have your say with a simple email template here.
