New Zealand’s climate change solutions: an overview

It is our responsibility to act on climate change. We are a small country but our carbon footprint per capita is still significant.

Our greenhouse gas emissions are growing rapidly. In 2006 we produced 26 per cent more than in 1990. The sector with greatest growth in emissions (45 per cent) is the energy sector (mainly CO2 from transport and electricity generation).

Approximately half of our total greenhouse gas emissions are produced by agriculture (methane and nitrous oxide from farm animals).

Cutting our greenhouse gas emissions is part of our global responsibility.

Introduction

Climate change, and how we deal with it, is one of the most important issues of our time.

A recent report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change confirms that past and present greenhouse gas emissions have already committed us to substantial climate change for the coming century and beyond. The same report also confirms the scale of the response required.

Much of the world's economy is underpinned by a reliance on fossil fuels.

Liberating ourselves from that dependence requires innovative thinking, and a fundamental shift in the way we live our lives – how we power our travel, how we design our homes, how we grow produce, and how we provide goods and services.

Sustainability lies at the heart of who we are as a nation, and the face we show to the world. We have a long and proud history of caring for and enjoying our environment.

New Zealanders rely on our clean green brand to obtain premium prices for primary exports and our tourism – our two largest sources of earnings. That brand is at risk from trade barriers and political consequences if we fail to take action.

This is not just a New Zealand government initiative, it is an international reality.

Sustainability and responding to climate change are vital if we are to improve the environment for ourselves and our children. It is also vital because our actions can help bring about changes by many other nations. Keeping at the forefront of that change will help our clean and green image, which will in turn add value to the goods and services we sell.

Making the shift necessary to combat climate change requires leadership in many sectors. Businesses and communities are rising to that challenge. Every day we see more examples of innovative, climate-friendly thinking from New Zealand organisations, businesses and individuals.

Fundamental shifts are already occurring in many areas across government, and still more will follow. The full effects of these may not be felt immediately, but they will make a substantial difference over time.

Our response to climate change must help people find, and use, ways to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.

Becoming a leader in new sustainable technologies and finding smarter ways of doing things gives us the chance of transforming our economy and improving our quality of life, as well as protecting the environment.

Many of the things we do in the name of climate change are common sense. Warm, energy-efficient homes are healthy homes. Fuel and energy efficiency saves money. Forestry reduces erosion and improves water quality.

This publication sets out the challenges New Zealand faces in responding to climate change – and the solutions we are putting in place.

It is a long path to being a truly sustainable nation but it is a path worth taking. The purpose of the policies and programmes outlined here is to start New Zealanders walking that path together.