The New Zealand government has pledged to halve greenhouse gas emissions from 1990 levels by 2050.
Climate Change Minister Nick Smith said setting a long-term target provided certainty about domestic climate change policy.
Speaking at the New Zealand Climate Change Research Institute Forum in Wellington, Dr Smith said feedback from a recent public consultation supported setting a long-term emissions reduction target.
‘We believe a 50 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from 1990 levels by 2050…strikes the right balance. It has New Zealand doing our fair share and is comparable with the targets set by our major trading partners.’
The move would require major changes in the next 40 years.
‘The Government’s existing programme includes the emissions trading scheme, support for home insulation, solar water heating systems, biofuels, electric cars and electrification of Auckland rail, and major research initiatives such as the Global Research Alliance on Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Research.’
Also, an advisory group on green growth established in January would identify additional programmes to help achieve the reductions.
Dr Smith said this target would need to be regularly reviewed to take into account the latest science, development of new technologies, and progress by other countries.
‘New Zealand’s contribution to global emissions is very small and our objective should be neither to lead nor lag but do our fair share,’ he said.
