New projections show NZ missing climate target

Briefings to Incoming Ministers released today reveal the Government’s climate policy is failing with projected emission more than double what is needed to meet National’s 2050 target, the Green Party said today.

Projections released by the Ministry for the Environment, as part of their Briefing to Incoming Ministers, show New Zealand’s net greenhouse gas emissions reach levels of almost 100 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2040, this is more than double the target level at that point of just over 40 million tonnes.

“National’s Policy is climate policy is failing New Zealand,” said Green Party Co-leader Dr Russel Norman.

“The National Government is grossly irresponsible. They are planning for increasing emissions when we should be planning to reduce them.

“These projections are embarrassing, they undermine the climate and our clean green image.

“We can do our fair share, but we need to start now.

“Many New Zealanders don’t realise our emissions are going up – not down as we need them to be.

“The Ministry for the Environment has stated that the ETS is not working.

“We need a plan to meet our targets, not more hot air from the Beehive claiming we are on the right track.”

New Zealand climate facts
· Currently fifth highest emissions per capita in the OECD and they are increasing. [1]

· 20 percent increase in net emissions under National. [2]

· Ministry for Environment report released this month shows a 50 perecent increase in NZ’s projected net emissions. [3]

· Advice from officials is that the gap between our reduction commitments and reality is widening. [4]

ends

For more information:
[1] 5th in OECD, http://stats.oecd.org/
That they are increasing – see figures listed in each of MfE’s Annual Reports
[2] New Zealand’s Greenhouse Gas Inventory, Common reporting tables http://www.mfe.govt.nz/sites/default/files/publications/climate/greenhouse-gas-inventory-2012/common-reporting-format-tables.zip
[3] MfE Annual Report 2014 page 68
[4] https://home.greens.org.nz/misc-documents/oias-development-nzs-global-climate-deal-committment

© Scoop Media