New Zealand addresses climate change with zero carbon bill

The New Zealand government has proposed a bill that outlines a plan for the country to achieve a net zero level of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 2050.

The Zero Carbon bill was introduced to the Parliament on Wednesday, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced, saying it represents a “practical consensus across government” that outlines a plan for the next 30 years and provides the needed certainty to tackle the challenges of climate change. If approved by Parliament, the bill could become law by the end of 2019.

The bill includes a goal for a 10% reduction of biological methane emissions by 2030 and a further provisional target of cutting their level by 24%-47% by 2050. The second objective is not firm and will be reviewed by the independent Climate Change Commission in 2024, to take into account changes in scientific knowledge and other developments. Additionally, the bill proposes that the government is legally required to develop adaptation plans for communities, cities, businesses and farmers in response to the effects of climate change.

“Carbon dioxide is the most important thing we need to tackle – that’s why we’ve taken a net zero carbon approach,” Minister Ardern said.

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