“This is a critical step where, in many cases, investments made now in energy efficiency, electric vehicles, and renewable energy will more than pay for themselves in the long term.”
The commission’s analysis showed that replacing fossil fuels with renewable electricity in areas such as transport and heating could save businesses and households around $2 billion each year by the 2040s.
Elsewhere among the commission’s 27 recommendations were retrofitting buildings, preparing for a rapid roll-out of low-emissions tech on farms, directly resourcing iwi efforts to slash climate pollution, and sorting out the Emissions Trading Scheme and the role of forests.
“If we act now on reducing climate pollution, we can avoid additional costs and disruption as the country tries to catch up on its climate goals in the years ahead,” Carr said.
“For example, to meet our climate goals we need a big reduction in climate pollution from transport in the early 2030s, but this relies on more people replacing their petrol and diesel cars with EVs this decade.”
From next year, the commission will independently assess and publicly report on how the country is tracking against emissions budgets, and how well emissions reduction plans are being delivered.
“Whatever the mix of policies the Government decides on for the second emissions reduction plan, they must add up to meet our immediate climate goals and keep the country on the path to net zero.”
The Government has until the end of next year to consider the advice and release its own emissions reduction plan for the period.
Climate Change Minister Simon Watts welcomed the report and said the Government was starting work on doubling renewable energy production and removing consenting barriers in its first 100 days in office.
Jamie Morton is a specialist in science and environmental reporting. He joined the Herald in 2011 and writes about everything from conservation and climate change to natural hazards and new technology.
