Zero Carbon legislation passed

The passing of the Climate Change Response (Zero Carbon) Amendment Bill in Parliament on November 7 will help ensure a safe planet for our kids and grandkids, climate change minister James Shaw says.

The landmark legislation provides a framework to support New Zealanders to prepare for and adapt to the effects of climate change, including reducing transport emissions through promoting low to zero emission vehicles like EVs.

The bill was passed by 119 of 120 MPs.

Yet to receive royal assent from the governor general for the bill to become law, it will enshrine a new 2050 greenhouse gas reduction target into law and require that future governments have plans to meet the target, setting emission budgets every five years.

An independent Climate Change Commission will be established by the end of this year to advise and support governments to reach the target.

 “This is a historic piece of legislation and is the centrepiece for meaningful climate change action in New Zealand”, Shaw says.

“We’ve led the world before in nuclear disarmament and in votes for women, now we are leading again.”

The bill had nearly 11,000 written and oral submissions.

The Zero Carbon Act is a key part of the Government’s plan to tackle climate change.

Other initiatives include a stop to issuing any new permits for offshore oil and gas exploration, investing in green hydrogen and biofuels with the goal of 100% renewable electricity generation by 2035, proposals to make electric and cleaner cars more affordable, investments in public transport and walking and cycling infrastructure, and establishment of a $100m Green Investment Fund.

The 2050 emissions reduction target comprises one emissions reduction goal for biogenic methane (produced by living organisms) and another for all other greenhouse gases.

The select committee recommended eight key improvements and several smaller technical improvements, including striking the right balance between gross reductions and removals through afforestation, so the improvements enable the commission to recommend limits on the amounts of trees that could be used to offset emissions. That will help ensure that the transport and energy sectors are actually reducing emissions, not just offsetting them.

Emissions budgets should reference the need to contribute to global efforts to limit global average temperature rise to 1.50 Celsius.

The commission will be required to consider recommending aviation and shipping emissions in the emissions reduction targets, in 2024.

The legislation has been applauded by environment groups around the globe, saying New Zealand is leading the world in its pragmatic and levelled approach to climate change, The Guardian reports.