Specific Policy Points

Specific Policy Points

1. Targets and Agreements 

A. Domestic 

Policy Positions 

1.1. Establish a clear strategy, action plan and carbon budget for a rapid  transition to a net-zero greenhouse gas emissions economy, in line with  keeping the average global temperature rise below 1.5 degrees Celsius. 

1.2. Take steps to rapidly achieve a net-zero greenhouse gas emissions  economy in Aotearoa New Zealand in line with limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees over pre-industrial levels, ensuring a long-term balance of its  greenhouse gas emissions and its carbon sequestration. 

1.3. Regularly review national interim timeframes and targets for achieving  domestic greenhouse gas emission reductions, to ensure that New Zealand  commits to deep, early reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. Early  reductions have a greater long-term net benefit to our environment, society and economy. 

1.4. Regularly review Aotearoa New Zealand’s progress towards these national  targets at least every two years in order to keep up with the latest  developments in our greenhouse gas emission profile, climate science and  technology. 

1.5. Work with local Government and economic sectors to encourage and  support them to set targets in line with this policy and monitor progress  toward them.  

B. International 

As a colonised nation grappling with realising indigenous rights and as a nation with  opportunities created by its industrialised economy, Aotearoa New Zealand must use  its influence and experiences to press for effective implementation of international  agreements that aim to stabilise the global climate at a safe level and increasing the  participation of and respect for indigenous people in international fora. 

Policy Positions 

1.6. Work with all countries to uphold, implement, and strengthen the UN bodies relating to climate change and the Paris Agreement, and support other  international agreements that effectively achieve net zero emissions  globally and are in line with this Climate Change Policy. 

1.7. Ensure that the principles of equity, common but differentiated  responsibility, and ecological sustainability are reflected in international  climate change agreements, and that there are mechanisms to ensure  compliance with commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions within  a Just Transition framework. 

1.8. Seek to accelerate the international phase out of fossil fuels and an  immediate end to fossil fuel subsidies, and support developing countries to  move quickly to a low or zero emissions economy. 

1.9. Ensure that international agreements for forests and other forms of carbon  sequestration have ecological integrity and sound accounting rules.  1.10. Ensure that all our international trade agreements enable countries,  including Aotearoa New Zealand, to implement low emission economic  policies and practices, allowing, for example, a carbon tax on energy  intensive imports from countries which have not set binding targets for  reducing their greenhouse gas emissions in line with keeping the average  global temperature rise below 1.5 degrees Celsius. 

1.11. Work with other countries, particularly those that are home to the world’s  remaining indigenous forests, to develop and support initiatives that protect the forests’ ecological integrity and the rights of indigenous and forest dependent peoples. 

1.12. Advocate for binding international commitments that will allow vulnerable countries, particularly Pacific Island countries, to protect their peoples,  cultures and biodiversity.  See also our Global Affairs Policy.

2. Reducing our Greenhouse Gas Emissions 

Our nation as a whole must undertake a Just Transition to a net-zero emissions  economy. This means all sectors whose activities contribute to greenhouse gas  emissions must make changes to bring emissions down to sustainable levels, taking  account of offsetting capacity. 

Legislation and regulation, direct investment by central and local Government  alongside strategic partnering, public education and community action, and  initiatives by both business and organisations will deliver reduced emissions. Direct  

investment by government (such as in afforestation on state land or public transport), regulation, support for research and development and public education are often important demonstrations of leadership and provide direct and powerful ways to reduce emissions to complement pricing mechanisms.  

Policy Positions 

2.1. Research, Development and Innovation: Partner with businesses and other  organisations, invest in Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) for  production methods and mitigation technologies to enable a successful  greenhouse gas emissions reduction and sequestration programme, with an immediate focus on transport, industrial energy use, food and natural fibre  systems and forest management (see our Transport, Energy, Agriculture   and Rural Affairs and Forestry policies). 

2.2. Energy: Ensure that all energy is used much more efficiently, phase out  fossil fuels and develop new renewables (see our Energy policy). Take a  whole of system approach to our energy usage, recognising the role of  electrification and other emerging technologies in, for example, reducing  transport greenhouse gas emissions, and recognising the increasing  importance of energy resilience for our communities. 

2.3. Transport: Reduce Aotearoa New Zealand’s reliance on fossil fuelled  vehicles by prioritising investment in active transport, public transport, and  electric rail for both passenger and freight, as well as incentivising the  electrification of the light vehicle fleet. For transport that cannot currently  be electrified, such as domestic flights and shipping, support research and  development to assist the development of alternatives (see our Transport policy). 

2.4. Agriculture: Immediately begin a phase-in of greenhouse gas emission  pricing for agriculture, along with suitable support for a Just Transition for  affected communities. There are cost-effective ways to reduce agricultural  emissions, many of which also boost on-farm productivity, biodiversity and  resilience and reduce other forms of pollution (see our Agriculture and   Rural Affairs policy). 

2.5. Forestry: Reverse net deforestation trends and provide incentives for  resilient afforestation and sound management of our indigenous forests,  including through payments or tax credits for certified carbon  

sequestration, more support for the expansion of permanent forests, and  improved pest control in indigenous forests (see our Forestry policy). 2.6. The Wider Economy: Ensure the transformation to a net-zero greenhouse  gas emissions economy for Aotearoa New Zealand while building diverse, resilient local economies, promoting business innovation and clean  technology opportunities, re-building our international reputation for safe  and environmentally sound products, and creating green jobs (see our  Economic policy).  

2.7. Legal Environmental Framework: Require the reduction of emissions by  appropriate amendments to the Resource Management Act, the production  of a National Policy Statement on greenhouse gases, and of regulations  suited to the purposes of the Act and the Policy Statement (see our  Environmental Protection policy). 

3. Emissions Price 

An economic instrument that puts a price on greenhouse gas emissions is needed to  incentivise an economic transformation to a net-zero emission economy. 

Policy Positions 

3.1. Ensure the release of greenhouse gas emissions faces a price which,  together with complementary measures, aims to delivers the level of  emission reduction necessary to achieve the targets and timeframes set  out in this policy and is:  

a) Effective: Comprehensive, sufficient to drive immediate, significant  emissions reduction and innovation and matched with national  

emissions budgets to ensure scaling down of emissions to sustainable  levels and to keep building the momentum for change. 

b) Transparent: clearly signals that all polluting sectors will, within a short,  set time, pay for the environmental and societal impacts of their  emissions 

c) Responsible: Takes into account Aotearoa New Zealand’s international  responsibilities and obligations, the Crown’s obligations under Te Tiriti o  Waitangi and its responsibility for the current and future wellbeing of all  its people and natural environment, and be designed so as to manage  short- and long-term fiscal risk to the Crown in a responsible manner. 

d) Credible: Designed and tested using economic and scientific modelling. e) Fair: Developed in partnership with tangata whenua and in consultation  with communities and Local Government, to ensure it does not  

disproportionately impact upon Māori economic, environmental and cultural interests or communities, or the vulnerable communities and regions of Aotearoa New Zealand.

3.2. Improve the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) to ensure this drives a  reduction in emissions, while urgently working towards the replacement of  the ETS with an effective emissions levy. 

3.3. Establish the following features to complement emissions pricing, and  ensure the overall approach will reduce emissions as quickly as needed: a) A carbon budget to drive decisions on climate policy, with annual capped 

emissions budgets. These emissions budgets should, at a minimum,  represent Aotearoa New Zealand’s fair share of the global emissions  reductions needed to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement, and,  

moreover, should show international leadership in recognition of  Aotearoa New Zealand’s common but differentiated responsibility to  mitigate this global problem. 

b) A priority on government regulation, investment and programmes that  will support and enhance the price signals described above. 

c) An independent Climate Commission to advise Central and Local  Government that respects and expresses Te Tiriti o Waitangi. 

d) A transparent Climate Fund to manage the revenue from the economic  instrument and report back to the public. 

e) A Just Transition fund to protect vulnerable regions, businesses, workers and households to enable them to adjust during a transition period. f) An outreach and education programme to raise awareness and enable  producers and consumers to make low-emission choices. 

g) A study of potential Border Tax Adjustments to equalise emission costs  for foreign and domestically-produced products. 

3.4. Ensure that appropriately calculated credit payments will be available for  greenhouse gas sequestration, for example by afforestation. 

3.5. Recycle emission revenues through equitable distribution to New  Zealanders, and through funding emission abatement. 

4. Adaptation 

Adaptation to our changing climate will be essential for the wellbeing and survival of  vulnerable communities, ecosystems and species. While central government action is key to our international engagement and overall policy development, the Green Party  recognises that iwi, Local Government, communities, civil society and business will be 

key partners in co-creating and implementing adaptation strategies.

A. Social Adaptation 

Policy Positions 

Government leadership, inclusive policy processes and support for the vulnerable is  essential to adapt our society to a changing climate. The Green Party recognises the  importance of social responsibility as a crucial principle in adaptation strategies. 

4.1. Assist low income and other vulnerable sectors of society to adjust to the  resulting changes in the economy by a range of measures, including energy efficiency, transport affordability and improvements in local authority  planning systems (see our Energy, Transport, Housing and Sustainable  Communities, Local Government, Food and Health policies). 

4.2. Work in partnership with iwi to respond to the specific impacts on Māori  communities that rely on fisheries, shellfish and forests for food,  employment and tikanga practice. 

4.3. Provide guidance to local authorities to identify the threats to vulnerable  people and communities, and develop inclusive plans to avoid social harm. 

B. Environmental Adaptation 

Climate change threatens the survival of many species and ecosystems. Policy Positions 

4.4. Fund research on the impacts of climate change on land, freshwater and  marine ecosystems. 

4.5. Create, resource and implement strategies to protect ecosystems and  promote the survival of all species and ecosystems in Aotearoa New  Zealand (see our Conservation Policy). 

4.6. Support mechanisms, such as the protection and restoration of ecological  corridors, to maintain and enhance the ability of indigenous species to  respond or adapt to climate change. 

4.7. Research impacts on primary production arising from emissions and  climate change effects such as rainfall, pest abundance and ocean  acidification. 

4.8. Provide guidance to local authorities and vulnerable industries, such as  primary industries, to plan long-term adaptation to sea level rises and other predicted changes in climate, such as drought and floods. 

4.9. Ensure that DoC and other Crown assets are managed in a manner that supports ecosystem and species adaptation. 

4.10. Apply the precautionary principle and rigorous analysis to any plan to apply  geo-engineering or other technologies to combat climate change. 

C. Economic Adaptation and a Just Transition 

There are many sectors of society that will be affected economically as Aotearoa  New Zealand moves to a net-zero emissions economy. It is essential that government takes a planned and active approach to facilitating a Just Transition. The Green Party recognises the interdependency of people and planet, and the need to live within the  limits of our natural world and to ensure equitable sharing of resources.  

Policy Positions 

4.11. Create a high-level process, involving government, iwi, and industry sector  and regional representatives to investigate and make recommendations on  how to manage the transition to a net-zero emission economy and the  adverse economic impacts of climate change. 

4.12. Enable and support a shift in the economies of communities dependent on  fossil fuel extraction and use towards sustainable alternatives (see our  Mining Policy and Energy Policy). 

4.13. Create a contestable fund for local government and community group  adaptation projects. 

4.14. Ensure affected communities and working people are involved in decision making regarding economic adaptation. 

4.15. Work with employers and unions to ensure adequate retraining, reskilling  and redeployment opportunities are available for people who work in high emissions industries (see our Economic Policy). 

D. International Adaptation 

Poor and vulnerable communities around the world are already suffering the impacts  of climate change, especially indigenous peoples, those living in low lying areas and  our Pacific neighbours.  

Policy Positions 

4.16. Provide funding support, and enable the mobilisation of financing from a  variety of sources, for climate change mitigation and adaptation in  developing countries, towards meeting the international community’s global climate finance commitment of US$100 billion per year by 2020. 

4.17. Actively support Pacific nations to adapt to climate change as requested by the Pacific (see our Global Affairs Policy). 

4.18. Support Pacific nations’ proposals for loss and damage compensation.

4.19. Build international support for urgent action to prevent even worse impacts  to some of the poorest and most vulnerable communities and  

environments. 

4.20. Actively support Pacific states’ advocacy on climate change internationally  and, in particular, on raising security issues related to the future survival of  low lying island states in the UN Security Council. 

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