Aotearoa - New Zealand

In 2019, New Zealand introduced the Climate Change Response (Zero Carbon) Amendment Act, including a target of net zero greenhouse gas emissions (except biogenic methane) by 2050. The Act enables emissions budgets to be set and requires the government to develop and implement adaptation and mitigation policies.

The country's first independent Climate Commission was established to provide impartial advice and monitoring to help keep successive governments on track to meet long-term goals.

The Iwi Chairs Forum, alongside the Māori Council, the Māori Women's' Welfare league, and urban Māori organisations, have also formed a National Māori Climate Network to support Māori community resilience.

What is the government doing?

• Developing the first national emissions reduction plan and national adaptation plan
• Developing a provisional emissions budget for 2021–2025
• Targeting 100% renewable energy by 2030
• Implementing reforms to the Emissions Trading Scheme
• Commenced a programme to reduce public sector emissions
• Launching a fund to support business to switch from coal and gas
• Offsetting emissions through forestry – the One Billion Trees Fund
• Introducing mandatory climate-related financial disclosures

International Context

As a member of C40 Cities, Auckland is part of a global network created and led by cities. C40 focuses on tackling climate change and risks, while increasing the health, wellbeing and economic opportunities of urban citizens.

In November 2015, New Zealand was one of 195 countries that agreed to the Paris Climate Agreement. The goal of this historic collective agreement is to limit the increase in global temperature to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, with a more ambitious intent to keep it below 1.5 degrees.

Used globally as a guide for climate mitigation, Project Drawdown is the most comprehensive plan ever proposed to reverse global warming. The plan is based on research that maps, measures, models, and describes the key solutions to global warming that already exist.

Voices for change

Many groups across Aotearoa have been calling for climate action. We have seen rangatahi (youth) demand strong national leadership on climate change with Generation Zero, School Strike for Climate NZ, Te Ara Whatu and Pacific Climate Warriors, supported by Extinction Rebellion and Parents for Climate Aotearoa demanding change. In a 2019 historic strike, around 170,000 kiwis at over 40 events across the country marched for climate action and prompted councils nationwide, including Auckland Council to declare a Climate Emergency.