First Paris Agreement progress report submitted
The Biennial Transparency Report shares the actions Aotearoa New Zealand is taking to reduce emissions, prepare for climate change, and support developing countries.
Aotearoa New Zealand has submitted its first climate progress report under the Paris Agreement.
The Paris Agreement is the global climate treaty which seeks to limit global warming to 1.5°C. All countries signed up to the Paris Agreement must compile Biennial Transparency Reports to share their progress with the international community.
The first Biennial Transparency Report shares the actions New Zealand is taking to reduce emissions and prepare for climate change at home, and the financial and practical support it is providing to developing countries such as its Pacific neighbours. New Zealand is committed to playing its part in climate action on a global, regional and national level.
It also details how New Zealand is closing the gap towards meeting its international emissions reduction target, the first Nationally Determined Contribution. New Zealand is making progress towards this target by implementing its first emissions reduction plan and outlining further action in its second emissions reduction plan, which was released last week.
New Zealand’s target under the Paris Agreement is to reduce net emissions to 50 per cent below gross 2005 levels by 2030. It was set at a higher level than the emissions budgets we have set at home, to reflect New Zealand’s highest possible ambition as required under the Paris Agreement.
The Government is prioritising domestic action – through emissions reductions in New Zealand and planting trees that absorb carbon – but is considering all options to meet the target, including exploring co-operation with other countries.
The gap between domestic emissions reductions and the Nationally Determined Contribution target is projected to be 84 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (Mt CO2-e), with the additional policies and measures in the second emissions reduction plan.
The Government is currently making decisions on the second Nationally Determined Contribution, New Zealand’s international climate change target for 2031 to 2035. This target will be announced by February 2025.