Climate Change Commission gives advice on second emissions reduction plan
The Climate Change Commission’s advice on Aotearoa New Zealand’s second emissions reduction plan provides policy guidance for meeting the second emissions budget (2026-2030).
The advice highlights many areas of opportunity, and the benefits of policies that decarbonise the economy, such as shifting from fossil fuels to electrification.
Ministers and officials will now take the time to consider the Commission’s report.
Work on the second emissions reduction plan has already begun. Along with the Commission's advice, the plan will be shaped by feedback from public consultation. The final plan, due to be published by the end of 2024, will represent the Government’s response to the Commission’s final advice.
The Climate Change Commission is responsible for providing recommendations to Government on emissions budgets and emissions reduction plans. This is its second report, the first being Ināia Tonu Nei: a low emissions future for Aotearoa [Climate Change Commission].
Read the Commission’s advice [Climate Change Commission].
Aotearoa New Zealand’s legislated 2050 emissions reduction targets are:
- net zero greenhouse gas emissions (except biogenic methane)
- a 24-47% reduction in biogenic methane (methane emissions from waste and agriculture biological processes)
New Zealand is using a system of emissions budgets to meet its 2050 target. The first three emissions budgets were published in the first emissions reduction plan in May 2022.
| Budget period | 2022–25 | 2026–30 | 2031–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| All gases, net (AR5) | 290 Mt CO2e | 305 Mt CO2e | 240 Mt CO2e |
| Annual average | 72.5 Mt CO2e | 61 Mt CO2e | 48 Mt CO2e |