The Reserve Bank of New Zealand – Te Pūtea Matua has submitted a response to the Climate Change Commission’s Climate Action for Aotearoa consultation. This is the Commission’s first draft advice report to the Government on the steps New Zealand must take to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions and address climate change.
“We welcome the Commission’s draft advice as a considered and substantial contribution to shifting New Zealand towards a
more climate-resilient future.
“The draft advice makes a strong start at exploring linkages between investment and climate resilience, and we
appreciate that it recognises the interplay between the environment, economics, finance and wellbeing. We agree that
interventions in all areas need to be properly considered and coherent,” says Reserve Bank Governor Adrian Orr.
In making its submission, the Reserve Bank put emphasis on understanding and addressing the exposure of the financial
sector to climate-related risks.
“We believe that climate change could lead to material economic and financial stability risks and as kaitiaki of the
financial system, we have a strong interest in the effect that this will have on the economic wellbeing of New
Zealanders for generations to come,” says Mr Orr.
“It’s important to take a collective approach and we expect the firms that we regulate to pay close attention to these
critical issues and risks.
The Reserve Bank’s submission examines five key points:Climate change and how it impacts financial stabilityThe role of financeDisclosure as a mechanism to improve the systemic management on climate risksThe importance of investmentA Te Ao Māori lens, and the need for a considered and aligned approach
The Reserve Bank launched its climate change strategy in 2018 to integrate climate considerations across its work. It
has also joined 83 other central banks and supervisors to strengthen the global response to climate change through the
Network for Greening the Financial System (NGFS).More information:RBNZ Submission to the Climate Change Commission Draft Advice Report (PDF 689KB)About the Climate Change CommissionThe Reserve Bank’s Climate Change Strategy