Changes to emissions targets okay 'if supported by evidence'

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The SBC and CLC say the 2050 target should be high, though infrequent changes to them would ensure buy-in from those who will ultimately be delivering the emissions reduction outcomes.
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Business and climate leaders remain committed to New Zealand’s 2050 carbon emission reduction targets, which could be lifted to include such things as international aviation and shipping emissions.

The Sustainable Business Council (SBC) and Climate Leaders Coalition (CLC), which together represent more than 160 New Zealand businesses, contributing more than 40 percent of the country’s economy, said they would support a change if backed by evidence.

“SBC members remain firmly committed to the country’s Paris Agreement contributions,” SBC executive director Mike Burrell said.

“Our businesses believe, if supported by evidence, any change to our emissions reduction targets should serve only to strengthen New Zealand’s climate ambition and contribution to addressing climate change.”

In a statement, the SBC and CLC said the 2050 target should be high, though infrequent changes to targets should be infrequent to ensure buy-in from those who will ultimately be delivering the emissions reduction outcomes.

“Our businesses believe gross emissions reductions are important, and removals should be primarily focused on native afforestation and appropriate nature-based solutions,” Burrell said.

“An effective combination of pricing for the emissions trading scheme (ETS) and complementary policy measures will get us there, and members have called for policy stability across governments, giving investment certainty for business.”

CLC convenor and Spark chief executive Jolie Hodson said long-term investment decisions required certainty.

“It’s critical the long-term signals remain clear to give our businesses the certainty they need to continue to invest and take action in line with Aotearoa’s climate goals,” she said.

“Our signatories remain committed to the ambitions set out by the Paris Agreement, and are striving to reduce their emissions at pace, while simultaneously building their resilience to the impacts of a rapidly changing climate that are already here.”

Burrell said the SBC and CLC were prepared to work alongside the commission and the government on domestic and international climate commitments.