What is the Zero Carbon Bill?

New Zealand needs to take urgent action on climate change. International scientists warn that global average temperatures must not exceed 1.5ºC since pre-industrial times. This will require all countries to drastically reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.  

But New Zealand doesn’t have a plan for reducing our emissions. And time is running out.

That’s why the Zero Carbon Bill is so important.

The Zero Carbon Bill does three key things:

1. It sets targets. The Bill says that New Zealand must reduce its greenhouse emissions by 2050 to a level consistent with the 1.5ºC target. The Government is also required to make plans about how it will reach those targets.

The targets currently proposed are:

– Net zero by 2050 for ‘long-lived’ greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide.

– 10% reduction on 2017 levels by 2030 for methane.

2. It establishes a Climate Commission. The Climate Commission will advise the Government on what it must do to meet the targets. The Commission will hold the Government to account by reporting on its progress.

3. It calls for adaptation. The Bill says the Government must start making plans for New Zealand to adapt to the effects of climate change that will happen in the future.

How do I make a submission?

Submissions close 16 July 2019. There are two ways to submit:

Option 1: Through Parliament’s website

Go to the Zero Carbon Bill submissions page and click on ‘make a submission’ at the very bottom right of the page. The website will give you instructions on how to fill out the online form.*

Option 2: Post a physical submission

Your submission should have two pages. On the first page you should write your name and where you are from. If you wish to make an oral submission to the Select Committee, you should state that and write your email address AND phone number.

On the second page, write your submission.*

The Select Committee’s postal address is:

Environment Committee (Zero Carbon Bill submissions),Parliament Buildings, Wellington 6160

*Please note your name and submission will be uploaded to Parliament’s website and be publicly searchable.  Your contact details will be kept private. 

You could add:

– Why these issues matter to you as a Christian

– How climate change affects you/your community

– What climate change means for your/your family’s future

Want to encourage other people to have their say?

A video explaining the Zero Carbon Bill, printable submission forms, and a video sermon about climate change by Bishop Eleanor Sanderson are available at:

http://movementonline.org.nz/climatemission