Witten by: Liliana Sofia
Kiaora! This Friday, I bring you good news from New Zealand! This past January, Aotearoa New Zealand announced its second international climate target under the Paris Agreement! In other words, NZ is committing to cutting emissions by 51 to 55 percent (compared to 2005 levels) by 2035. This is a big step for the country’s efforts to tackle climate change, as a real and serious concern for NZ is rising water levels. With rising water levels, parts of the country are at great risk of being washed away in the decades to come.
The Paris Agreement is a global effort to keep temperature rise below 2°C (and ideally under 1.5°C), that has been signed by nearly 200 countries. Each country sets its own emissions reduction goals, and New Zealand’s updated target builds on its Emissions Reduction Plan, which largely focuses on renewable energy. It also points to sustainable agriculture and cleaner transport. Additionally, this doesn’t just help the environment—it also creates jobs in the green industry of NZ.
So, what does this mean? Big changes are coming! Kiwis can expect to see more investment in clean energy— like wind or solar power— and a push for greener transport options, like electric buses. Agriculture, arguably NZ’s largest industry (we have about 7 sheep for every person), will also continue evolving toward more sustainable practices. And for “everyday people”? There will be more opportunities to make eco-friendly choices through public transport, government support, or clean energy. The urgency is very real—New Zealand’s glaciers have shrunk by 29% since 2000, and that’s a serious problem as a good amount of the country’s drinking water comes from glaciers. The glaciers melting is something that affects our water supply, ecosystems, and general way of life. This new target is a crucial step toward protecting our natural resources and ensuring a livable future.
Granted, there’s still a lot of work ahead but this commitment is a testament to how serious New Zealand is about climate action. By investing in these solutions, us kiwis are moving toward a healthier, more sustainable future. Today, I am so proud of my home country!
Sources:
https://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/the-paris-agreement
https://climateactiontracker.org/countries/new-zealand/#:~:text=New%20Zealand%20submitted%20an%20updated%20NDC%20in,gross%202005%20levels%20by%202030%2C%20including%20LULUCF.