Climate Change Response (Zero Carbon) Amendment Act

The Climate Change Response (Zero Carbon) Amendment Bill is an Act of Parliament in New Zealand that seeks to provide a framework for New Zealand to develop and implement climate change policies in support of the Paris Agreement. The Bill passed its first reading on 21 May 2019 and its second reading on 5 November. It passed its third and final reading on 7 November near-unanimously,[1][2][3][4] and received royal assent on 13 November 2019.[5]

Climate Change Response (Zero Carbon) Amendment Act
New Zealand Parliament
Royal assent13 November 2019
Legislative history
Introduced byJames Shaw[1]
First reading21 May 2019[1]
Second reading5 November 2019[1]
Third reading7 November 2019[2]

Legislative features

The Climate Change Response (Zero Carbon) Amendment Bill amends the Climate Change Response Act 2002 to provide a framework for New Zealand to develop and implement climate change policies that contribute to global efforts under the Paris Agreement to limit the global average temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. New Zealand ratified the Paris Agreement in October 2015. Its nationally determined contribution is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030. This target is equivalent to 11 per cent below 1990 levels by 2030. Key provisions of the Zero Carbon Bill including consulting with Māori iwi and leadership bodies under the obligations of the Treaty of Waitangi, establishing a Climate Change Commission, and setting a target to reduce net carbon emissions to zero by 2050.[6]

History

Minister for Climate Change Issues and Green Party leader James Shaw introduced the Zero Carbon bill into Parliament on 8 May 2019.[7] The Zero Carbon Bill passed its first reading on 22 May 2019. The opposition National Party supported the Zero Carbon bill while expressing concerns about its methane targets.[8][9]

The bill passed in its second reading on 5 November 2019.[1]

The bill passed in its third and final reading on 7 November 2019 with support from all MPs except David Seymour. National said that they would tweak the bill if they are elected to government.[2][3][4]

References
  1. "Climate Change Response (Zero Carbon) Amendment Bill". New Zealand Parliament. Retrieved 8 August 2019.
  2. Tibshraeny, Jenée (7 November 2019). "James Shaw's Zero Carbon Bill passes with near-unanimous support, however National commits to making tweaks if elected into government". Interest.co.nz. Retrieved 7 November 2019.
  3. Young, Audrey (7 November 2019). "Zero Carbon Bill passes with almost unanimous support in Parliament". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 7 November 2019.
  4. Cooke, Henry (7 November 2019). "Zero Carbon Bill passes with near-unanimous support, setting climate change targets into law". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 7 November 2019.
  5. "Climate Change Response (Zero Carbon) Amendment Bill". New Zealand Parliament. 13 November 2019. Retrieved 14 November 2019.
  6. "Climate Change Response (Zero Carbon) Amendment Bill 2019 (136-1) (Hon James Shaw)". New Zealand Parliament. 15 May 2019. Retrieved 8 August 2019.
  7. Rt Hon Jacinda Ardern (8 May 2019). "Landmark climate change bill goes to Parliament". New Zealand Government. Retrieved 20 May 2019.
  8. Tyson, Jessica (22 May 2019). "Zero Carbon Bill passes first reading". Māori Television. Retrieved 22 May 2019.
  9. Cooke, Henry (21 May 2019). "National supports climate change bill through first reading". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 22 May 2019.
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