Analysis

Terrence Loomis

Less than sixty-nine percent of Kiwis now see climate change as a critical issue, a four percent drop on previous surveys according to the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA).

Covid-19, the cost of living and housing are now greater concerns for Kiwis.

The findings will be a worry for the Government, who are hoping to build a mandate for additional strong climate initiatives under the upcoming Emissions Reduction Plan.

A three-year study of New Zealanders attitudes and actions regarding climate change, released by the EECA recently, indicates the Government still has some way to go to convince people of the need for urgent lifestyle changes as well as stronger Government action.

The good news is that eighty-two percent of New Zealanders believe that climate change is real. But fifteen percent disagree or are still uncertain about the science. A notable portion are over age fifty.

Three quarters of those interviewed said they realised they needed to make changes to their own lifestyles to address climate change, and most said they were already doing things like recycling, buying energy efficient lightbulbs and using less energy at home.

However, more than half said they felt they were doing all they could to reduce their climate impact.

The Government has implemented measures to accelerate energy transition, including boosting funding for renewable energy development, promoting energy efficiency and incentivising the shift to lower-emissions vehicles.

Three quarters of those surveyed agreed the country needed to make changes to our energy use in order to address climate change. But only a third were prepared to make more radical changes in their own lives like reducing their use of petrol and diesel vehicles.

In 2021 twin cab utes were the most popular selling vehicle in New Zealand. The transport sector is responsible for forty-seven percent of the country’s CO2 emissions.

Most people agreed that Government should do more to reduce our impact on the climate and environment, including enforcement and incentives. But when asked whether we should ‘consider all solutions to climate change, even if they meant changes to people’s lifestyles,’ over a quarter disagreed or were unsure.

European New Zealand males over fifty were most likely to disagree, while people aged twenty to twenty-nine, those on higher incomes and Pasifika and Asians were the most positive about making changes in their lifestyles to address climate change.

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