The Climate Change Commission has stated that New Zealand needs to stop importing petrol cars by 2040 to meet a new target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to under 27 million tonnes per year. The commission believes that New Zealand should increase its 2050 climate target, as the country’s current efforts do not meet international standards.
The commission has also suggested that New Zealand should include the greenhouse gas emissions from planes and ships travelling to and from the country in its climate targets. These emissions accounted for 9% of the country’s total in 2019, but are not currently counted due to a common loophole.
The commission has proposed a new emissions cap for 2036-2040, which would require nearly all new car imports to be electric by 2035 and 13% of regional plane trips to be electric by 2040. The commission also anticipates that milk production will remain at current levels, but with fewer cows and a shift from dairy farming to horticulture.
The commission believes that meeting its proposed budget would generate more economic benefits than not taking action, with improved air quality alone saving $2.7 billion a year. The current 2050 target is for net zero carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide emissions, and a 24-47% reduction in methane emissions compared to 2017 levels.
The commission is seeking public feedback on these proposals before making final recommendations to the government. The commission also wants to tighten the country’s emissions budgets for the next decade to ensure that real progress is made in reducing emissions.
The commission’s draft analysis suggests that, excluding methane from farm animals, New Zealand could be carbon neutral by around 2040. The economy is expected to continue growing throughout the transition to lower carbon emissions. The commission’s proposals are open for public submissions until May 31, and it will give its final recommendations to the government by the end of the year.
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