NZ needs to make climate change a priority during its UN Security Council presidency

(Wellington, 1 July) As New Zealand takes up the presidency of the UN Security Council today it needs to make climate change a top priority at the council and at home, said WWF-New Zealand.

“It is great to see that the New Zealand government has been successful in getting a small island states debate on the agenda where the issue of climate change can be discussed," said Peter Hardstaff, WWF New Zealand Head of Campaigns.

“Climate change threatens the existence of many of these states so it is important that the Security Council hears this, and the very real problems that climate change is already causing these countries.

“In the run-up to the major climate change summit in Paris later this year, we would love to see the New Zealand Government making climate change a top priority during its time holding the presidency, and backing this up with real action to reduce emissions at home.

“Our government’s ability to effectively advocate for international effort on climate change is hampered by its unwillingness to take action in New Zealand. Our rising emissions and currently weak commitments are a signal to the world that we are not willing to ‘walk the talk’.

“To really make a contribution on climate change and be taken seriously, NZ needs to commit to cutting our emissions by at least 40% by 2030.

“Our international reputation and credibility rests on us taking real action. Small islands in the pacific need us to step up and help avoid catastrophic impacts in our own neighbourhood."

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