Young New Zealanders call on Government to join international "High Ambition Coalition," not high emission coalition at Paris Climate Talks.

09 December 2015

With only a few days left to negotiate an agreement at the Paris Climate Talks, young New Zealanders are calling on the New Zealand government to align with the “High Ambition Coalition” of countries pushing for a strong climate deal at Paris. This group of countries including the US, EU, and many developing countries in Africa, Asia, and the Pacific are pushing for an "ambitious, durable and legally binding" climate deal with some specific asks: (a) a 1.5C target limit, (b) 5-yearly reviews, and (c) strong support for developing nations. US Chief Negotiator Todd Stern called this a coalition of “various progressives in the developing world as well as the EU, the U.S. and a number of our so-called umbrella group, really all of our so-called umbrella group partners.” However, despite being an Umbrella Group partner, New Zealand is not part of the coalition.

“It is concerning that New Zealand is not part of this coalition. Have the government’s regressive climate policies such as increasing fossil fuel subsidies, watering down the Emissions Trading Scheme and weak emissions reduction target led to New Zealand being regarded as a climate pariah by an international coalition including one of our most important trading partners? We’re calling on New Zealand to get on board with the ‘High Ambition Coalition’ and future proof New Zealand by pushing for a strong deal in Paris and embracing a zero carbon future for our country and the world. To do this, New Zealand needs domestic ambition to support a phase out of fossil power and embrace a clean energy future - otherwise New Zealand is at risk at being part of a high emission coalition.” said New Zealand Youth Delegation Spokesperson Natalie Jones.

“Our future, and the future of our planet hangs in the balance in the last two days at the Paris Climate Talks. New Zealand needs to help future proof our planet by joining the ‘High Ambition Coalition’ and pushing for a fair, ambitious and binding deal to protect our children, our Pacific neighbours, and our planet.”

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