Today, the Government has released Aotearoa New Zealand’s first emissions reduction plan. The plan sets out how we will meet the first emissions budget for 2022–25, and put us on track to meet future emissions budgets.
The plan requires actions across every sector of the economy including transport, energy and industry, building and construction, agriculture, forestry, waste and fluorinated gases.
These actions will help us to create a climate-resilient future with cleaner air and energy, better transport options and healthier homes.
The Government will ensure wider system-settings support our emissions reduction goals – including emissions pricing, funding and finance, our research, science and innovation system as well as our planning and infrastructure systems.
The Climate Emergency Response Fund has been set up to support this transition as an enduring multi-year funding mechanism with an initial $4.5 billion ‘down payment’ supported by cash proceeds from the NZ ETS.
The Government will ensure the transition to a low emissions economy is fair, equitable and inclusive. No one should be left behind.
Everyone has a role to play. The Government, tangata whenua, local government, industry, businesses and communities must work together to achieve our climate goals.
Over 10,000 New Zealanders have helped to shape this plan. Submissions showed that there is clear support for urgent action on climate change.
This is the first in a series of plans. For each emissions budget, there will be a new emissions reduction plan and a new opportunity for New Zealanders to have their say in how we transition to a low-emissions future.
The next plan must be published by 31 December 2024.
This plan focuses on how we can reduce emissions, but we also need to adapt to climate impacts that are already locked in. This will primarily be addressed in the national adaptation plan. The consultation on the draft national adaptation plan is currently open. Find out more and have your say.