New Zealand introduces bill for zero carbon emissions by 2050
Source: The Guardian
New Zealand introduces bill for zero carbon emissions by 2050
Jacinda Ardern says law will address climate change but faces opposition from farmers over plans to reduce methane emissions
Kate Lyons
Wed 8 May 2019 02.07 BST Last modified on Wed 8 May 2019 03.19 BST
A landmark bill which would set a target of zero carbon emissions for New Zealand by 2050 has been tabled in the New Zealand parliament.
Prime minister Jacinda Ardern said on Wednesday that the bill, which would introduce targets for carbon and biogenic methane emissions and would establish an independent climate change commission, was aimed at addressing the “long-term challenge of climate change” – the biggest single challenge facing the world.
“We know the climate is changing. People can see that,” Ardern said. “This legislation makes a start on tackling climate change because the alternative is the catastrophic cost of doing nothing.”
While parts of the bill have cross-party support, targets for the reduction of methane in the agricultural sector have been a source of dispute. The opposition National party says they are too high and environmentalists want the country to aim for net-zero emissions.
The bill was also criticised by Greenpeace for having no way of enforcing its targets.
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Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/may/08/new-zealand-introduces-bill-for-zero-carbon-emissions-by-2050