Tens of thousands submit for Zero Carbon Bill consultation

The Ministry for the Environment has received 15,000 submissions in response to its recent public consultation on the proposed Zero Carbon Bill.

The responses came from a variety of sources including businesses, churches, iwi, other Māori groups and organisations, community organisations and young people. The information received by the ministry will be reviewed as it develops advice for the Minister about how New Zealand should respond to climate change, Secretary for the Environment Vicky Robertson said.

“From the responses, it’s clear that New Zealanders understand that this proposed Bill is critical to New Zealand’s future,” she noted.

Key themes from the submissions included:

• 91% of respondents said they wanted a target of net zero emissions across all greenhouse gases by 2050 set in legislation now;
• 96% of respondents supported the establishment of a Climate Change Commission, with an advisory role to government;
• 92% of respondents thought the bill should include provisions to help New Zealand adapt to the effects of climate change.

Robertson highlighted that ministers are also considering recent reports on the transition to a low emissions economy from the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment and the Productivity Commission, along with economic modelling, the latest science and other relevant reports.

“It’s important for people to know that the conversation on the path to a low emissions economy continues,” she added. “People will have a chance to put forward their views on that as part of the Select Committee process early next year after the Zero Carbon Bill is introduced in Parliament.”