Eleventh-hour Announcement from Government on Climate Target Consultation

The government’s climate target consultation process was announced by Minister for Climate Change Issues Nick Smith last Friday only ten days before the first consultation is set to take place.

From 6 to 17 July, the government will consult the public and businesses on an appropriate 2020 target on greenhouse gas emissions.  The target is to then be decided in August and be negotiated at the next UN internationalclimate negotiations in Copenhagen in December.

New Zealand Climate Action Partnership (NZCAP) is focusing its efforts to ensure maximum participation in this consultation process.  NZCAP aims to bring together local and national groups, businesses and all levels of government to show New Zealand’s political leaders the public demand for effective action against climate change on the national and global level, with members including Oxfam, Greenpeace, The Sustainability Trust, Nelson Environment Centre, Sustainable Living and Negawatt Resources.

The last-minute, unclear manner of the consultation is a red flag for NZCAP, who fear that the consultation process is being conducted in a manner that is not conducive to including broad representation from public and business sectors.  Also, it appears that advance registration through the Ministry for the Environment is required for stakeholders to attend.

The environmental, human and economic consequences from inadequate climate action are numerous.  The driver of the international value of New Zealand’s export products is our “Clean, Green” brand image, amounting to billions in export and tourism value annually.  Continued decline of our natural systems puts this invaluable brand at risk.  Lauren Sinreich of New Zealand Climate Action Partnership stated, “Inadequate action will cause continued damage to the natural systems upon which our lifestyles and economies are built.  Representation at these consultations of individuals, groups and businesses from sectors throughout New Zealand will be essential.”

The Beehive’s announcement:  http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/public+consultation+2020+target+announced recognised the importance of New Zealand doing its “fair share” in addressing climate change, and “considering scientific, economic, environmental and foreign affairs advice in setting our 2020 target.”

Currently, New Zealand’s emissions reductions target of a 50 per cent reduction on 1990 level emissions by the later date of 2050 leaves a high chance of our country contributing to a global warming temperature increase over the “safe” amount of 1.5 to 2 ºC.  A two degree average global temperature increase could create disastrous consequences for natural systems, agricultural yields and people in coastal cities.  According to UN member countries’ calculations (and in line with NZCAP’s stance), New Zealand’s “fair” target according to our responsibility and capability is a 40 per cent reduction below 1990 levels by 2020.