New Zealand's 2020 Emissions Reduction Target
The Government has announced a 2020 target range to signal New Zealand’s commitment to a successful and ambitious outcome from the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen in December.
New Zealand is prepared to take on a responsibility target for greenhouse gas emissions reductions of between 10 per cent and 20 per cent below 1990 levels by 2020, if there is a comprehensive global agreement. This means:
- the global agreement sets the world on a pathway to limit temperature rise to not more than 2°C;
- developed countries make comparable efforts to those of New Zealand;
- advanced and major emitting developing countries take action fully commensurate with their respective capabilities;
- there is an effective set of rules for land use, land-use change and forestry (LULUCF); and
- there is full recourse to a broad and efficient international carbon market.
New Zealand’s 2020 target was decided following consultation with New Zealand business, farmers, environmental groups, Māori, scientists, academics and other stakeholders. The question and answers below set out the government’s rationale for setting New Zealand’s 2020 emissions target.
- Press release
- Questions and Answers (Q&A)
- Graphical depiction of 2020 targets (PDF, 25 KB)
- Statement made by New Zealand Ambassador for Climate Change, Dr Adrian Macey, to the United Nations Climate Change negotiating session on 10 August 2009 in Bonn, Germany
Public consultation prior to setting the 2020 target
Previously the Minister for Climate Change Issues held meetings about New Zealand's 2020 Emissions Target policy around the country, including meetings with the public and business and a national hui. The PowerPoint presentations given at those meetings are available below.
- PowerPoint presentation from public meetings on 2020 emissions target policy (PDF, 986 KB)
- PowerPoint presentation from business meetings on 2020 emissions target policy (PDF, 508 KB)
- PowerPoint presentation from national hui on 2020 emissions target policy (PDF, 682 KB)
- PowerPoint presentation from roundtable discussion with Institute of Policy Studies (PDF, 472 KB)
NZIER and Infometrics have published a report called Macroeconomic Impacts of Climate Change Policy, Impact of Assigned Amount Units and International Trading, which can assist with understanding the impacts of an emissions target on New Zealand.
NZIER has also published a report called New Zealand's 2020 emissions target negotiations: Impact on the Maori economy (PDF, 334 KB), which discusses possible impacts of future emission reduction agreements on the Maori economy.
Advice on setting New Zealand’s 2020 emissions reduction target
Below is a list of the Cabinet papers and briefing notes provided on New Zealand’s 2020 emissions reduction target.
We have withheld certain sections in light of the principles of the Official Information Act (OIA). Reasons for withholding information include:
- release would likely prejudice the international relations of the New Zealand Government
- withholding is necessary to maintain the effective conduct of public affairs through the free and frank expression of opinion by, between, or to Ministers or officials in the course of their duty
- withholding is necessary to enable a Minister, Department or organisation holding the information to carry on negotiations (including commercials and industrial negotiations) without prejudice or disadvantage.
Sections in these documents that have been withheld for these reasons are marked as [Withheld].
Cabinet papers
| Date | Title | PDF link |
|---|---|---|
| 10 August 2009 | Climate Change: New Zealand’s 2020 Emissions Reduction Target | PDF, 689 KB |
| 10 August 2009 | CAB Min (09) 28/9: Climate Change: New Zealand's 2020 Emissions Reduction Target | PDF, 29 KB |
Briefing notes
Last updated: 16 September 2009
