The Future is Equal

Keep a safe climate future alive

Image of a crowd protesting with test \Áct now to keep 1.5 degrees in reach

The world gathers in Glasgow in less than a month. A safe climate future is on the line. Will New Zealand play its part?

Update 18/10: New Zealand’s commitment to providing climate finance to communities on the frontlines of climate breakdown is a huge step forward in our country’s climate response. Now, let’s match that with an equally ambitious commitment to reduce emissions on these shores too.

Despite climate change being declared an emergency and our ‘nuclear-free moment’ by the Prime Minister, New Zealand’s emissions have continued to increase year on year. Now, the government has delayed finalising its plan to reduce emissions, for a further six months.

At COP26, the global climate talks, the world will see who has increased ambition to protect our common home and keep the Paris Agreement’s 1.5 degree temperature limit in reach. Other countries have stepped up their commitments, but New Zealand has not yet announced anything. Will we play our part?

 Send an email asking the Prime Minister to commit to:

  • Set a 2030 target that does our fair share to keep to 1.5 degrees; and
  • Join the EU, US, UK, and others in pledging to cut methane emissions by 30% by 2030.

 Doing this requires political leadership, and the funds necessary to follow through on our commitments. Use the email template provided to send an email to Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Finance Minister Grant Robertson.

The form provides space for you to personalise your message. These messages are best when they are personal to you and offer reasons why you care about this issue.

Here are some suggestions of the types of things you could adapt or copy and paste into your email:

Reasons why New Zealand should commit to a 1.5 degree-consistent 2030 target

  • I value New Zealand playing its part in global efforts. While we work to finalise the Emissions Reduction Plan, a 1.5 degree consistent 2030 target can show a big step up in ambition for domestic and interational action.
  • Climate change is dramatically changing the world we love. Doing our fair share of action by 2030 is crucial to protect our collective future.
  • Stepping up our international action can really help make this our ‘nuclear-free moment’
  • We can show the world New Zealand will keep a 1.5 degree future alive, by setting a bold 2030 target that and doing more to meet it at home.
  • At the UN General Assembly in September, you stated that “any global response that fails to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels is unacceptable.” New Zealand’s own target and support for other countries must reflect this goal too.

If you’d prefer not to use our email template, you can email the Prime Minister and Finance Minister directly at j.ardern@ministers.govt.nz and g.robertson@ministers.govt.nz.