Nine wind turbines in a hilly landscape in Mākara, Wellington.

Climate Change Commission releases advice on fourth emissions budget and the 2050 target

He Pou a Rangi | Climate Change Commission (the Commission) has provided its advice on Aotearoa New Zealand’s fourth emissions budget, alongside its review of the 2050 emissions target, to the Minister of Climate Change.  

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The Commission plays an important role in independently monitoring and reporting on Aotearoa New Zealand’s progress towards its emissions reduction goals.  

The report makes several recommendations aimed at strengthening the 2050 target and emissions budgets that lead to it. These include: 

  • strengthening the 2050 target from net-zero emissions to negative 20 Mt CO2-e, including emissions from international aviation and shipping 
  • reducing biogenic methane emissions to 35–47 per cent below 2017 levels by 2050 
  • setting the fourth emissions budget at 160 Mt CO2-e 
  • tightening the first three emission budgets. 

The Government will consider and respond to the Commission’s reports and recommendations on the 2050 target, international aviation and shipping, the methane target, the fourth emissions budget and existing emission budgets, within the next 12 months. The fourth emissions budget must be set by 31 December 2025.