Articles tagged with Climate Change
New Zealand’s Commitment to Climate Action and COP30 Leadership in the Pacific
3 hours ago | 35 viewsNew Zealand reaffirms its commitment to the Paris Agreement by submitting an ambitious second Nationally Determined Contribution, prioritizing transparency, climate support, and adaptation, while urging all Parties to act urgently. The country highlights its progress in renewable energy, agricultural innovation, and pioneering climate adaptation legislation, emphasizing the importance of an inclusive, collaborative response that incorporates diverse voices, including young Māori leaders. New Zealand supports hosting COP31 in the Pacific to advance global climate solutions and calls for collective partnership to maintain momentum toward a low-emissions, climate-resilient future.
Tags: New Zealand Paris Agreement COP31 Pacific climate change Nationally Determined Contribution Emissions Trading Scheme renewable energy Māori leaders Blue Pacific ContinentNZ Climate Change Minister Attends COP30 in Brazil to Drive Global Climate Action
4 days ago | 73 viewsClimate Change Minister Simon Watts will attend COP30 in Belém, Brazil, emphasizing the need for all countries to take meaningful climate action in line with the Paris Agreement. He aims to deepen cooperation for New Zealand's transition to a low-emission economy through innovation and investment. Additionally, Mr Watts will meet with global counterparts and promote New Zealand companies in São Paulo before returning on November 21.
Tags: Simon Watts Climate Change Minister COP30 United Nations Belém Brazil Paris Agreement New Zealand economy Pacific regionNew Legislation Protects Farmland from Forest Conversions, Boosting Agriculture Sector
2 weeks ago | 133 viewsLegislation has been enacted to restrict farm-to-forest conversions on productive farmland, fulfilling a campaign promise by Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay. The Climate Change Response (Emissions Trading Scheme - Forestry Conversion) Amendment Act, effective from October 31, 2025, aims to protect food production, rural communities, and forestry investments. Exotic forests are limited from entering the Emissions Trading Scheme on New Zealand's most productive soils, with exemptions for Māori-owned land and erosion-prone areas, while transitional exemptions are available for qualifying forestry investments made between 2021 and 2024.
Tags: Legislation farmland Agriculture Forestry Minister Todd McClay Climate Change Response Emissions Trading Scheme New Zealand MPINew Zealand Climate Change Minister Unveils Carbon Removals Framework and Legislative Enhancements
2 weeks ago | 97 viewsClimate Change Minister Simon Watts introduced a new Assessment Framework for Carbon Removals in New Zealand, aiming to recognize and reward non-forestry carbon removals and support landholders and businesses. The framework aligns with the Government's commitment to climate action that stimulates the economy and promotes emissions reductions, fulfilling an election promise to explore biodiversity credits for initiatives like creating wetlands. Changes to the Climate Change Response Act will streamline processes, improve the NZ ETS, expand opportunities for carbon removal recognition, and reduce compliance costs for stakeholders, with an amendment bill planned for next year.
Tags: Climate Change Minister Simon Watts Assessment Framework Carbon Removals New Zealand Emissions Reduction Plan Biodiversity credits Forestry Climate Change Response Act NZ ETSNew Zealand Government Passes Bill to Protect Farmland and Forestry in Climate Change Response
2 months ago | 247 viewsThe Government passed the Climate Change Response (Emissions Trading Scheme Forestry Conversions) Amendment Bill to prevent wholesale conversion of farmland to pine forests, aiming to balance food production and Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) confidence. Key changes include limits on exotic forestry registrations for productive farmland, flexibility for farmers to convert up to 25% of land to forestry, and provisions for Māori-owned land. The Bill aims to support rural economies, create jobs, and ensure ETS credibility, with a review planned for 2028 to assess effectiveness.
Tags: Todd McClay Simon Watts Government Climate Change Response Emissions Trading Scheme Forestry Conversions Agriculture Forestry New Zealand Land UseGovernment Takes Stand to Safeguard Farmland for Food Production with Climate Change Bill
4 months ago | 828 viewsThe Government has taken a major step towards protecting food production by ending the large-scale conversion of productive farmland into pine plantations, with the first reading of the Climate Change Response (Emissions Trading Scheme—Forestry Conversion) Amendment Bill receiving unanimous support in Parliament last night. “This Bill is about protecting our most valuable land that grows food for export and sustains rural communities,” Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay says. “For too long, ETS incentives have driven the wrong outcomes for our rural sector.
Tags: Climate change response Conversion New zealand Todd mcclay Trading scheme