New Zealand’s Commitment to Climate Action and COP30 Leadership in the Pacific

Mr President, colleagues.

Tēnā koutou katoa. It is an honour to address you today on behalf of New Zealand.

When the Paris Agreement was adopted ten years ago, Parties committed to goals that limit the impacts of climate change on lives and livelihoods.

Ten years on, we have seen significant progress, and we are firmly in the era of implementation.

But we need to press forward, and we must keep 1.5 alive.

Mr President, New Zealand is committed.

We were one of the first eight countries in the world to have submitted a second Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), that is ambitious, achievable, informed by the Global Stocktake, and in accordance with Paris Agreement rules.

We are committed to transparency arrangements, which are critical to mutual trust.

And we provide high-quality, grants-based, accessible, partner-responsive climate support, with over half going to adaptation action.

We urge all Parties to follow suit and implement. All Parties must submit NDCs that reflect the urgency of the movement, and all Parties with the capacity to do so must provide support to those who need it most.

We recognise economies are under strain, but every step of progress helps us maintain momentum.

Mr President, the Blue Pacific Continent has long led the world with its climate ambition.

In the Pacific, climate change is not a distant threat; it is a lived reality.

Next year, COP31 in the Pacific would be an opportunity to deliver global climate solutions, built on the experience of some of those on the front lines.

New Zealand proudly supports Australia’s commitment to host COP31 in partnership with the Pacific and calls on others to confirm their support.

Mr President, a low-emissions and climate-resilient economy is central to economic prosperity.

New Zealand is accelerating the deployment of renewable energy at a faster pace than ever before.

In October, we saw weeks where our electricity was 98% renewable. We have commissioned more renewable generation in the last 18 months than in the previous 15 years, helping us double that capacity by 2050.

Our farmers are among the most carbon-efficient globally, and we are leading in agricultural innovation.

Our Emissions Trading Scheme is one of the most comprehensive globally.

And in the last month, we agreed to legislate a climate adaptation framework to address long-term strategic factors, including clear roles, investment in risk reduction, and cost-sharing. This is one of the world’s first of its kind.

Mr President, the response to climate change must be inclusive and supportive of all voices and leadership, as we cannot solve this challenge alone.

I am proud that a delegation of New Zealand’s young Māori leaders is here at COP30 – sharing their stories and commitment to action.

Mr President, you introduced us to ‘mutirao’, which speaks to the shared work that builds up our people.

This resonates with us. New Zealand – our young people, business, and civil society – stand ready to partner with all Parties to take action: at home, in the Pacific, and globally.

Thank you.