PM addresses Paris Climate Change Conference 1 Dec 2015
Related articles
- All Whites claim historic point Sport
- Prime Minister to travel to South Africa News
- Brownlee Leads Aviation Mission To Shanghai News
- New Zealand-Russia begin FTA scoping discussions News
- NZ looking at all avenues on whaling issue News
- Sludge Report #192: The Naked Budget Columns
- Licensing To Cut Out Cowboy Advisers Migration
- Transpower gets go-ahead for $170m SI upgrade Business
- Government Widens Drought Assistance News
- 300 feet down: two bare feet and one breath of air Living
Rt Hon John Key
Prime
Minister
1 December 2015
PM addresses Paris Climate Change Conference
Prime Minister John Key has told the UN Climate Change Conference in Paris that it must produce a meaningful agreement.
“New Zealand wants a deal that puts the world on a pathway towards limiting global temperature rise to no more than 2°C.
“Every country needs to contribute towards this goal. While New Zealand’s emissions are small on a global scale, we are determined to make a strong contribution to the international effort.
“That’s why we have set ourselves a target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 30 per cent below 2005 levels, by 2030. A significant increase on our current target of five percent below 1990 emission levels by 2020.
“We wanted to ensure our target was achievable and didn’t impose unfair costs on any particular sector or group.”
Mr Key says New Zealand faces unique domestic challenges in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
“Almost 80 per cent of our electricity already comes from renewable energy and around half of our emissions are from agriculture, where there are not yet cost effective technologies to reduce emissions. But we are working hard to change that.”
Mr Key today announced the Government will invest $20 million over four years in the Global Research Alliance on Agricultural Greenhouse Gases, which works to reduce emissions from livestock, cropping and rice production.
“The Alliance is gaining real momentum so I’m pleased to announce that New Zealand is going to boost its funding by $20 million over four years, to capitalise on some exciting new research to reduce methane emissions.”
Mr Key also announced New Zealand would provide up to $200 million for climate-related support over the next four years, the majority of which will benefit Pacific nations. This builds on the $65m New Zealand has already spent over the last three years to help Pacific Nations secure reliable and clean energy.
“New Zealand has been at the forefront of efforts to shift the Pacific from reliance on fossil fuels to renewable electricity. This work to address energy insecurity and build resilience will continue as we step up our support for climate change adaptation.”
Mr Key says New Zealand is also taking a strong lead in the global push for the removal of fossil fuel subsidies.
“Earlier today I delivered UNFCCC Executive Secretary, Christiana Figueres, a message on behalf of close to 40 nations calling for the removal of fossil fuel subsidies.
“Countries subsidised fossil fuels to the tune of US$500 billion in 2014. Removing these subsidies frees up money which would be better spent on low-carbon energy, health or education.
“It also makes no sense to be calling for emissions reductions on one hand, while subsidising emissions on the other.
“These are practical initiatives aimed at getting real outcomes.”
Mr Key chaired part of today’s Leaders’ meeting in Paris.
“The Government takes climate change very seriously and we are committed to ensuring New Zealand does its fair share.”
ENDS
News
Hilary Timmins' Award-Winning UK Documentary Series To Inspire NZ Students
29 Jun 2020 Education
Dream Catchers, produced and directed by Hilary Timmins, celebrates the success stories of more than thirty inspirational New... more
New Zealand reaffirms support for Flight MH17 judicial process
7 Mar 2020 News
Ahead of the start of the criminal trial in the Netherlands on 9 March, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has reaffirmed the need to... more
Business
NZ Government's Economic package to fight COVID-19
17 Mar 2020 Business News
The Coalition Government has launched the most significant peace-time economic plan in modern New Zealand history to cushion the... more
NZ Government announces aviation relief package
19 Mar 2020 Business News
Transport Minister Phil Twyford today outlined the first tranche of the $600 million aviation sector relief package announced earlier... more
Living
Diversity was Key at New Zealand Trade Tasting in London
6 Jun 2022 Food & Wine
New Zealand Winegrowers Annual Trade Tasting was recently held in London, on Wednesday 4 May, in Lindley Hall.
It was the first... more
Kiwi author stuns Behind the Butterfly Gate
12 Jan 2022 Arts
Hidden behind the Butterfly Gate is where the secret has been kept for 76 years...
New Zealand writer Merryn Corcoran’s... more
Property
Fairer rules for tenants and landlords
17 Nov 2019 Property
17 NOVEMBER 2019
The Government has delivered on its promise to the over one million New Zealanders who now rent to make it fairer... more
New Zealand Government will not implement a Capital Gains Tax
17 Apr 2019 Property
The Coalition Government will not proceed with the Tax Working Group’s recommendation for a capital gains tax, Jacinda Ardern... more
Migration
Boosting border security with electronic travel authority – now over 500,000 issued
19 Nov 2019 Migration
19 NOVEMBER 2019
We’ve improved border security with the NZeTA, New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority, which helps us to... more
Christchurch reinstated as refugee settlement location
18 Aug 2018 Migration
18 AUGUST 2018
HON IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY
The announcement that Christchurch can once again be a settlement location for refugees... more
Travel
Gallipoli Anzac Day services cancelled
19 Mar 2020 Travel & Tourism
The New Zealand and Australian Governments have announced this year’s joint Anzac Day services at Gallipoli will be cancelled... more
New Zealanders advised not to travel overseas
19 Mar 2020 Travel & Tourism
New Zealanders advised not to travel overseas
more
Sport
The Skipper's Diary: Sir Richard Hadlee honouring his father and NZ's Forty-Niners
27 Oct 2019 Cricket
NZNewsUK London Editor Charlotte Everett spoke to Sir Richard Hadlee about why he’s chosen to publish his father’s... more
PREVIEW: All Blacks v England semi-final
26 Oct 2019 Rugby
The two most convincing quarterfinals winners are set to square off in a semifinal showdown for the ages when the All Blacks meet old... more
Columns
Gordon Campbell on the Gareth Morgan crusade
11 Nov 2016 Opinion
Gordon Campbell on the Gareth Morgan crusade
First published on Werewolf
The ghastly likes of Marine Le Pen in France and Geert ... more
Gordon Campbell on the US election outcome
10 Nov 2016 Opinion
Column - Gordon Campbell
Gordon Campbell on the US election outcome
Well um.. on the bright side, there (probably)... more
Kiwi Success
Congratulations to Loder Cup winner
26 Sep 2018 People
25 SEPTEMBER 2018
The Loder Cup, one of New Zealand’s oldest conservation awards, has been awarded to Robert McGowan for 2018... more
Appointments to New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO
16 Aug 2018 Appointments
16 AUGUST 2018Appointments to New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO
HON JENNY SALESA
Associate Education Minister Jenny Salesa is... more
Recruitment
Historic pay equity settlement for education support workers
14 Aug 2018 Recruitment
14 AUGUST 2018Historic pay equity settlement for education support workers
RT HON JACINDA ARDERN
HON CHRIS HIPKINS
Prime Minister
The... more
Historic pay equity settlement for education support workers
22 Aug 2018 Recruitment
14 AUGUST 2018Historic pay equity settlement for education support workers
RT HON JACINDA ARDERN
HON CHRIS HIPKINS
Prime Minister
The... more