Government launches Zero Carbon Bill talk-fest in Whangarei

James Shaw, Climate Change Minister and Green Party leader, at the Zero Carbon Bill meeting in Whangarei.

Climate Change Minister James Shaw launched the Government's roadshow promoting its Zero Carbon Bill in Whangarei on Friday.

The meeting outlined the new emissions reduction target for 2050.

More than 100 people attended the first public meeting in a six-week tour aimed at getting the public on side and having input into planning ''a low emissions future''.

"Over the weeks ahead we want to hear people's views on what the Zero Carbon Bill should do to help New Zealanders reach a low emissions future,'' Shaw said.

"The impacts of climate change are already real with more damage caused by storms, droughts, coastal and river floods, which don't just affect property but also have impacts on where and how New Zealanders live and work.

"Making a plan and taking common-sense action now will help avoid sudden changes in the future. That's why we want an independent Climate Change Commission to take a long-term view as we plan our economic transition.''

Before the meeting Shaw told the Northern Advocate the term ''zero carbon'' could be misleading because the objective was ''nett carbon'', or a neutral balance between omissions and off-sets.

The general public had a growing understanding of the need to address climate change, he said.

''The whole point of this public exercise is to address those concerns.''

The transition from fossil fuels to renewable power resources for transport, and improving public transport, would have co-benefits for everyone — an acceptable nett carbon outcome, less traffic congestion and a resulting estimated $13 billion in linked health savings between 2019 and 2050, Shaw said.

He predicted ''a tipping point'' when electric vehicles became the majority. Already large companies, Waste Management NZ for example, were converting from diesel and there had also been ''a massive shift'' in the dairy sector's appetite for change.

Generally New Zealand was behind the eight-ball in fossil fuel dependency, Shaw said.
Even if the heaviest of industry, such as steel and aluminium production, has difficulty freeing itself from total fossil fuel dependency it could be more efficient, he said.

But it was possible hydro-electric, wind, solar, wave and geothermal could provide ''energy security" by the target year of 2050. That would enable a major reduction in what would otherwise be $5.5 billion in fuel imports, and end reliance on countries with unstable economies, infrastructure and politics.

"The Zero Carbon Bill is about providing stability and predictability, by setting out a clear path and a plan to upgrade our economy and help ensure a stable climate for the future."