NZ’s carbon targets ignored domestic reduction potential

NZ’s carbon targets ignored domestic reduction potential
Were NZ's carbon emissions reduction targets a "relatively arbitrary political decision"? (Image: Getty)
Adrian Macey and Dave Frame
New Zealand has made undertakings to cut greenhouse gases that treat the country’s actual capacity to cut emissions as “irrelevant”, committing the country to pay for carbon credits on international markets to meet most of its obligations, say two senior climate change analysts.In the second of a five-part BusinessDesk series, former international climate change negotiator Adrian Macey and climate change scientist Dave Frame argue that the government made a “somewhat arbitrary political decision” on NZ’s targ...

More Policy

Govt mandates high-rise zoning around key CRL stations
Policy

Govt mandates high-rise zoning around key CRL stations

Auckland Council will need to provide for building heights of at least 10-15 storeys.

Oliver Lewis 25 Jun 2025
Infrastructure Plan floats higher health, electricity spend
Policy

Infrastructure Plan floats higher health, electricity spend

Draft plan identifies priority projects and recommends transport system reform.

Oliver Lewis 25 Jun 2025
Infrastructure plan: 17 projects made it, 31 missed out
Policy

Infrastructure plan: 17 projects made it, 31 missed out

Rail, prison and ferry terminal projects excluded from infrastructure priority list.

Oliver Lewis 25 Jun 2025
Govt funds $5.6m for joint NZ-Nasa Earth observation projects
Policy

Govt funds $5.6m for joint NZ-Nasa Earth observation projects

Nasa will contribute data and nearly $2m in staff time and expertise.

Greg Hurrell 24 Jun 2025