Annual emissions of carbon dioxide from the burning of fossil fuels are the lowest since 1999 and the 12-month renewable share of electricity is back above 90% for the first time since 1981.
The Ministry for the Environment has advised NZ is on track to meet the first (2022-2025) carbon budget.
These positive results can be attributed to a range of factors including current decarbonisation policies that have and will continue to deliver real emissions cuts, provided they remain in place.
New Zealand’s current emissions reduction plan, which runs to 2025, is a package. Its parts support each other and attempt to balance many people’s needs. If one part is weakened, the difference must be made up elsewhere. An integrated plan will be required to meet the 2035 goal.
Read the full article co-written by UC’s Adjunct Senior Fellow in Renewable Energy Systems Engineering, Dr Ian Mason on The Conversation.
Disclosure statement
Ian Mason is affiliated with the NZ Offshore Wind Working Group.
Robert McLachlan does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
