The government has unveiled its second Emissions Reduction Plan.
The Emissions Reduction Plan has outlined a path to keep New Zealand on track to meet its climate change targets while supporting the economy's thriving.
“The plan sets the foundation to meet our net zero 2050 target as early as 2044 and delivers the first and second emissions budgets,” said Climate Change Minister Simon Watts.
“New Zealand needs to be stronger in a changing climate. We want our way of life to be protected and minimise the impacts of climate change on our country.”
Watts said New Zealand can have affordable and secure clean energy, an efficient, competitive agriculture sector, and a booming economy while meeting its climate change commitments.
“This plan sets out how we can get there.”
The plan has targeted actions in the economy's sectors that produce the most significant emissions: agriculture, transport, energy, and waste.
It also included other areas critical to meeting climate targets, such as the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme and sustainable finance.
Eight key policies will have the greatest potential emissions savings over the next five years:
- Enabling more renewable energy projects through Electrify NZ
- Recognising carbon capture, utilisation and storage in the NZ ETS
- Targeting a network of 10,000 EV charging points by 2030
- Introducing agricultural emissions pricing by 2030 and incentivising the uptake of new technologies
- Exploring private-sector partnerships to plant trees on low-conservation Crown-owned land
- Introducing a regulated product stewardship scheme for refrigerants from 2025
- Leveraging the Waste Minimisation Fund to enable resource recovery systems and infrastructure to process organic waste
- Improving organic waste management and landfill gas capture to increase landfill gas recovery rates.
“I want to thank everyone who took the time to submit their feedback on the draft emissions reduction plan. As a result, new sections on technology and innovation, and building and construction have been added to the plan,” added Watts.
“The private sector plays an important role in reducing New Zealand’s emissions. Their feedback on the draft plan provided further insights into their work and areas for additional focus from the government.”
He said achieving these goals will require collaboration across all sectors to reduce emissions, unlock renewable energy, foster innovation, and leverage nature-based solutions.
The plan highlighted the significant progress already being made by private sector businesses, showcasing ongoing efforts to drive meaningful change across the board.
Current emissions projections indicate the government is on track to meet the first emissions budget, even with the policy changes.
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