I support the Bill’s objective of limiting warming to 1.5ºC. 

I believe it is important that New Zealand does its fair share to keep warming under 1.5ºC. It is necessary because of (a) global equity, in light of New Zealand’s wealth and historic emissions; (b) climate justice, with regard to communities most vulnerable to climate change impacts; and (c) intergenerational equity, with regard to the rights of young and future generations.

I want the Bill to have at its core the importance of Tikanga Māori, Te Tiriti O Waitangi, and Māori interests. It needs to ensure a just transition of the country’s workforce to a zero carbon economy, highlight the importance of conservation and sustainability, and centre the rights of climate-induced migrants, particularly the vulnerability of the Pacific Islands

To limit warming to 1.5ºC, New Zealand has a limit on our total remaining greenhouse gas emissions. Our pathway to net-zero must stay below this limit. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change says this pathway requires carbon emissions to halve by 2030 and reach zero before 2050. Aotearoa New Zealand has the tools to achieve deep emission reductions in the next decade. 

I want the Bill to ensure an emissions pathway that limits our contribution to warming to no more than 1.5ºC. The Climate Commission must ensure we are on the right path, acknowledging New Zealand’s historical emissions. The Bill in its current state will not limit warming to 1.5ºC.

I ask that the Bill be revised to include:

• A 2050 target and pathway that limits our contribution to warming to no more than 1.5ºC.
• An interim target for non-methane gases of a 50% reduction of 2017 levels by 2030.
• A 2050 methane target that is consistent with 1.5ºC. 
• A requirement for the Climate Commission to determine Aotearoa New Zealand’s total remaining carbon emissions to meet the 1.5ºC target, accounting for historical emissions, by 31 December 2021.
• Clauses that properly honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi. 
• Clear timeframes for the government to make policy plans to meet future budgets. 
• A gross emissions target, or a forestry offset cap, to limit our risky reliance on trees.
• The prohibition of the use of international credits to promote long-term certainty and accountability. 
• Section 5ZJ must be removed to allow the court to take other steps to remedy ineffective budgets. 
• A change to Section 5ZK so that government bodies must take targets and budgets into account.