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Government sets climate change target for the 1%
Government sets climate change target for the
1%
Generation Zero press release
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Youth climate change organisation Generation Zero is disappointed with the Government’s “shameful” post-2020 climate change target announced today.
Over 99% of submitters who specified a target level in the recent consultation called for a more ambitious target than the one announced by the Government, which amounts to an 11% reduction from 1990 levels by 2030.
The Ministry for the Environment’s summary of submissions states that “[...] The vast majority (99%) of those who specified a target level recommended New Zealand takes an ambitious target of 40% below 1990 by 2030 or zero carbon by 2050.”
Generation Zero spokesperson Paul Young says: “You could say the Government has chosen a climate change target for the 1% who deny the need to transition to a low carbon economy.”
“They seem to have completely ignored the results of their consultation, which were overwhelmingly in favour of much stronger action. That’s gutting for over 15,000 people who made the effort to make a submission or attend the consultation events.”
“In 2009 in Copenhagen, New Zealand initially promised to reduce emissions 10-20% below 1990 levels by 2020. Since then, our emissions have kept growing, and now we are promising a mere 11% reduction by 2030.”
“This target is not remotely ambitious. It is shameful. And it is completely unfair on young generations who will be left dealing with the cost of inaction.”
Generation Zero’s Fix Our Future campaign mobilised over 4,600 New Zealanders to make a submission on the consultation. The campaign calls for the Government to put in place a plan to reduce carbon dioxide emissions to zero by 2050 or earlier, and to push for a global zero carbon target to be set at the UN climate summit in Paris this November.
Mr Young: “New Zealand has the ability to lead the way to a thriving, zero carbon world. We’re in a prime position to grow our base of renewable electricity, shift our transport and heat needs to electricity and other clean energy sources, and absorb carbon by planting forests.”
“Until the Government has a plan for a zero carbon future it is simply not doing justice to our generation.”
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