A collective effort involving every sector of the economy, every community, and almost every government agency and their
Minister will be needed to avert a climate crisis, the Minister for Climate Change, James Shaw said today in response to
the release of the latest scientific evidence on global climate change, its impacts and future risks.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is the world’s leading authority on climate science. Its latest
report released today has been authored by thousands of scientists and reviewers from more than 100 countries, including
Aotearoa New Zealand. The findings provide the starkest warning yet of the risk facing our children, our planet, and
future generations, unless urgent action is taken.
“Right now, Ministers and agencies are discussing what action they will take to bring down emissions in their sector,
which will form the basis of our forthcoming Emission Reduction Plan. We must use this chance to review progress and
make sure the actions we are committing to will cut emissions in line with what the latest science requires. Anything
less will not be enough.
“The findings of the IPCC reaffirm those of the Climate Change Commission and confirm why this Government is right to
prioritise climate action,” James Shaw said.
Since its establishment in 1988, the IPCC has released five Assessment Reports, each of which updates the established
science on climate change. Today’s report is the IPCC’s Sixth Assessment report.