Home › Campaigns ›

Climate Change


Humans are changing the atmosphere by burning fossil fuels, deforestation and intensive agriculture, and this is will change the global climate in dangerous ways. To learn more see our
guide to climate change.

Scientists say we need to act in the next 10 years to avoid catastrophic climate change, and yet New Zealand has increased its greenhouse gas emissions 25% since 1990, falling far short of our Kyoto Treaty targets.

The new Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) will put a price on carbon, but it's full of holes. The agricultural sector is exempt, meaning billions in taxpayer subsidies, the Government is still on a motorway building binge, and new coal mines are being commissioned.

We need to kick the carbon habit with real emission reductions and a transition to a low carbon economy. We believe we owe it to our children and grandchildren to act now, and if all countries work together we can address this global challenge.

Read our climate change policy - kicking the carbon habit

What's New

These are our top stories. Find all our climate change content here.

Agriculture and Rural Affairs Policy Summary

24 Oct 2008

a strong, healthy and diverse agricultural sector is essential to an economically viable and environmentally sustainable New Zealand.

Rumours about showers

16 Oct 2008

When will the media report the facts about proposed changes to the Building Code in relation to water heating, rather than the political spin being circulated by some politicians? There is no proposal to restrict flow rates in showers.

ETS a first step, time for some big strides now

11 Sep 2008

The Emissions Trading Scheme is now law, but only the first small step towards getting New Zealand’s carbon emissions under control. The Green Party supported this legislation after negotiating a range of important changes , but it's important that New Zealanders do not think that, because we have an emissions trading scheme, climate change is fixed.
Our guide to the ETS and the changes we won
Jeanette's speech at the final reading of the Bill

What is an Emissions Trading Scheme and why do we need one?

28 Aug 2008

an emissions trading scheme (ETS) is a way to put a price on carbon so that industries that produce greenhouse gases, like carbon dioxide, pay a price based on how much they emit. This cost should encourage them to find more efficient ways of doing business. This in turn will help us reduces the damage that all countries are doing to the atmosphere and reduce the risk of dangerous climate change.

Green Party wins major improvements to ETS

26 Aug 2008

The Green Party has decided to support the ETS after winning agreement that money would be recycled into a Billion dollar fund to make New Zealand homes more energy efficient and cheaper to heat. A price on carbon will encourage sustainable alternatives to our energy wasting and unsustainable way of life, but this ETS will only reduce emissions by about 2 percent. Far more than that is needed, and quickly, if the world is to avoid dangerous climate change.
Watch a video of the announcement and press conference
What is an ETS?

more