New Zealand sticks to 2030 climate target while waiting for 1.5C advice

(Climate Home News, 22 Apr 2020) New Zealand has reaffirmed its existing 2030 climate target, despite UN expectations on countries to toughen their goals before the end of the year.

In a submission to the UN on Earth Day, the New Zealand government said the country’s newly established and independent Climate Change Commission would make recommendations “in early 2021” over whether and how its climate plan could be changed “to make it consistent with the 1.5C temperature goal” – the tougher global warming limit of the Paris Agreement.

New Zealand previously committed to reduce emissions by 30% below 2005 levels by 2030. At the end of 2019, it passed a law that sets a net zero goal for all greenhouse gases in 2050 except biogenic methane (mostly from sheep and cattle), which is to be cut 24-47% from 2017 levels.

Climate Action Tracker ranks New Zealand’s current 2030 pledge as “insufficient” to hold warming to 2C – the minimum level of ambition agreed in Paris.

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Climate Home News, 22 Apr 2020: New Zealand sticks to 2030 climate target while waiting for 1.5C advice