At the opening of climate change talks in Bonn, Germany, New Zealand announced its commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 10 to 20 percent below 1990 levels by 2020. It will reach this goal through emission reductions, storage of carbon in forests and purchasing emissions reductions in other countries.
The declaration was made by New Zealand’s Ambassador for Climate Change, Dr. Adrian Macey, to the United Nations Climate Change negotiating session as part of its commitment to successful negotiations on climate change in Copenhagen in December. Intermediate talks are being held in Bonn from Aug. 10-14.
Dr. Macey said New Zealand’s commitment complies with the global intent to limit temperatures increasing no more than 2 degrees C. He said New Zealand’s 2020 target was made after consulting businesses, farmers, environmental groups, Maori, scientists, academics and other stakeholders. The country’s emissions are currently 24 percent above its 1990 levels.
“This target is internationally credible and both environmentally and economically responsible. It is an ambitious but achievable goal,” New Zealand’s Climate Change Minister Nick Smith said.
