Stronger climate change pledge welcomed: Shaw

Auckland’s Sky Tower will glow green from 6.35pm on July 24 to celebrate the first anniversary of the Climate Leader’s Coalition (CLC) and the announcement of its second pledge to combat climate change.

Prime minister Jacinda Ardern will do the honours alongside climate change minister James Shaw, the Coalition convenor and Z Energy chief executive officer Mike Bennetts, and SkyCity Entertainment Group chief executive officer Graeme Stephens.

A new and stronger pledge from the CLC to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, including from transport, in line with what’s needed to limit warming to no more than 1.5 degrees Celsius has been welcomed by Shaw.

“This group of over 100 of our biggest companies is listening to the science from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and committing to the 1.5o C limit on warming that’s written into the Zero Carbon Bill,” he says.

“The IPCC’s Special Report last year made it clear that the world needs to stay within that 1.5o C limit if we are to avoid the worst impacts of climate change and ensure a liveable future for generations to come.”

Shaw says the CLC group of companies collectively represent 60% of New Zealand’s total gross greenhouse gas emissions.

“If these companies can reduce their emissions to live within the 1.5˚C threshold, then New Zealand, as a whole, should be able to achieve our collective goal outlined in the Zero Carbon Bill.

“Momentum is building across New Zealand with the realisation that we have to act.”

The Sky Tower green light celebration will be followed by a low carbon dinner at The Sugar Club.