BIANCA BEGOVICH – NZ CLIMATE CHANGE CONSULTATION SUBMISSION– 20 MAY 2015
The discussion document for NZ’s climate change target states a primary
objective to set a fair and ambitious contribution. It is exciting that the
document states a primary objective is to be ambitious. The main measures to
reduce our targets to pre-1990 levels are stated on page 16 of the discussion
document. Introducing exceptions for electric vehicles from road user charges,
supporting permanent forest sink initiatives, investing in biofuel and
agricultural research are all steps in the right direction but in my opinion, the
targets set out in the document are too conservative and cautious.
• In terms of increasing renewable electricity generation, an ambitious
target for NZ’s electricity generation would be 100% renewable by 2030.
• An ambitious target for emissions is a 40% reduction to pre-1990 levels
by 2003, with a goal to being on our way to zero CO2 emissions.
• There is nothing about the use of coal in NZ industry and the continual
mining of NZ coal despite it’s high contribution to greenhouse gases and
it’s worldwide decline in use. An ambitious target would see all NZ
mining of coal stopped by 2030.
• The document states that a high percent of NZ’s emissions come from
transport and that measures to reduce these might include increased
use of public transport, walking and biking. The word might does not
indicate an ambitious effort and there is no tangible evidence in the
document to support how the government will support these aims.
Indeed, the government’s current massive investment into building new
roads and motorways is in direct opposition to this objective.
• Carbon markets are not a solution to addressing climate change and
should not be used. Nationwide carbon taxes (based on incomes) are
more effective means to addressing greenhouse gas emissions. The
revenue from these taxes can be used to support initiatives which
reduce emissions (eg. low-emissions agriculture, public transport etc.)
• The report states that “a higher proportion of our emissions are from
methane and nitrous oxide from agriculture than is usual” but goes on to
state there are few viable options for reducing agricultural issues. This
should be an incentive to do more in terms of addressing agricultural
emissions, not less.