Labour intends decarbonising buses by 2035

Only zero emission buses will be bought by 2025 under Labour’s aim to decarbonise the public transport bus fleet by 2035.

“Transport makes up about 20% of New Zealand’s domestic greenhouse gas emissions and is the fastest growing source,” Labour leader Jacinda Ardern says.

“This needs to change so Labour will require that only zero emissions buses be purchased by 2025 and will target decarbonising the public transport bus fleet by 2035. We will support regional councils with this through a $50 million fund over four years.”

Labour says it will build on foundations laid during its first term in government to address climate change, including decarbonising buses and phasing out coal-fired boilers.

“I have said that climate change is my generation’s nuclear free moment and the work we have done – and plan to continue – demonstrates Labour’s commitment to that,” Ardern says.

She says the Zero Carbon Act, the establishment of the Climate Commission and the Green Investment Fund have been introduced to help meet New Zealand’s 2050 climate obligations.

But Ardern says there is more to do.

“During our first term in Government, climate change was at the centre of all our policy work and commitments. It is inextricably linked to our decisions on issues like housing, agriculture, waste, energy and transport.

“We firmly believe that to have a real impact on climate change, we must build consensus so the changes stick, and the work must be integral to the range of major policy decisions governments make.

“The next term will be focused on the practical steps New Zealand can take to reduce emissions and keep building on the foundations we have already put in place.”

Labour has already announced it aims to have New Zealand transition to 100% renewable electricity by 2030, and increase investment in public transport and incentivise low emission vehicles

Climate change spokesperson Megan Woods says that as New Zealand recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic, Labour’s investments will deliver huge benefits to local businesses, accelerate the economic recovery, and help our climate.

“Our policies are designed to make the most of that and create a platform for growth in our traditional industries, alongside the creation of new ones.”

Woods says Labour is fixing the Emissions Trading Scheme, investing more than $3.9 billion in public transport over three years, ending new offshore oil and gas exploration, making it easier to install ground-based solar panels, investing in research and development, allowing councils to take climate change into account when making decisions under the RMA, establishing the Just Transitions Unit, and more.