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Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges today opened public consultation on a new national renewable energy strategy.

The draft replacement of the New Zealand Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy proposes actions that will help New Zealand make the most of its clean, renewable energy sources.

“Energy efficiency and increased use of our renewables are critical for our environment and our economy,” Mr Bridges says.

Climate Change Minister Paula Bennett has brought together 10 experts from government and the private sector to provide advice on how New Zealand can adapt and build resilience to the effects of climate change.

The Climate Change Adaptation Technical Working Group includes representatives from central and local government, the banking and insurance sector, engineering, science, and local communities. 

Adaptation expert Dr Judy Lawrence will co-chair the group with Penny Nelson, Ministry for the Environment’s Deputy Secretary, Sector Strategy.

New Zealand has joined countries at the 2016 UN climate change conference, COP22, in fast-tracking the implementation of the historic Paris Agreement.

Climate Change Minister Paula Bennett gave support to the Marrakech Proclamation, which highlights the global momentum on tackling climate change.

“The COP22 global meeting has reaffirmed New Zealand’s absolute commitment to playing our part in the global action to reduce climate change,” says Mrs Bennett.

Climate Change Minister Paula Bennett has announced New Zealand’s intention to extend ratification of both the Climate Change Convention and the Paris Agreement to include Tokelau.

Minister Bennett was speaking from Marrakech where countries who signed up to the Paris Agreement have just convened the historic first meeting of Parties to the Agreement. 

“This is a significant step, not only for Tokelau, but also for New Zealand and for the Pacific,” Minister Bennett says.

Climate Change Minister Paula Bennett has welcomed the historic Paris Agreement, which comes into force today.

“Today is a momentous day internationally in that we have an agreement at scale that climate change is a global problem,” Mrs Bennett says.

The Paris Agreement formalises the legal framework for all countries to take action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

A new report provides a robust and objective examination of how emissions from agriculture are created, as well as options for reducing them, Climate Change Minister Paula Bennett and Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy said today.

The ministers have welcomed the report released today by the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, Dr Jan Wright.

Good morning everyone, it’s a pleasure to be here today.

I just want to start by acknowledging Madeleine Wright, Fiona Driver and Gary Taylor, I really appreciate the invitation to come and speak to you.

You know if you told me when I first became an MP that in just a few years I’d be going all over New Zealand and in fact the world talking about climate change, I don’t think I would have believed you.

But now that I’ve had the portfolio for 10 months, I’ve got to say I am really loving it.

New Zealand has helped make history today by ratifying the Paris Agreement, Climate Change Minister Paula Bennett says.

“By ratifying today, we are helping to get the Paris Agreement officially over the line, and demonstrated our commitment to global action on climate change.

Transport and Associate Climate Change Issues Minister Simon Bridges has released New Zealand’s plan to address emissions from air travel.

The New Zealand Aviation Emissions Reduction Action Plan has been lodged with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) at its annual summit today.

The plan outlines current and planned measures to address aviation emissions and covers four key parties - government, air traffic control, airports and airlines.

New Zealand is set to join an international agreement addressing carbon emissions from air travel, says Transport Minister Simon Bridges.

“International aviation is not included in the recent Paris Agreement, which is why New Zealand will join the voluntary global measure being developed by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO),” Mr Bridges says.

ICAO is responsible for the regulation of international aviation, including measures for the reduction of emissions in the sector.

A report released today shows New Zealand is making good progress in tackling climate change and is focused on the next steps, Climate Change Issues Minister Paula Bennett says.

‘New Zealand’s Action on Climate Change’, produced by the Ministry for the Environment, brings together information about the science, global momentum and domestic work to transition to a lower emissions future.

“Climate change is an incredibly important issue, but too many people find it complex or get put off by the politics,” Mrs Bennett says.

A change to the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority’s (EECA) levy funding will enable an increased focus on improving New Zealand’s energy productivity and reducing emissions, Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges says.

Keeping up progress on global climate action and sharing insights about New Zealand’s efforts to reduce emissions will be the focus of Climate Change Issues Minister Paula Bennett’s visit to Canberra this week.

Mrs Bennett will meet with several Australian Federal Ministerial counterparts, including Foreign Affairs Minister Hon Julie Bishop; Environment and Energy Minister Hon Josh Frydenberg; and Industry, Innovation and Science Minister Hon Greg Hunt. She will also meet with Shadow Minister for Climate Change and Energy Hon Mark Butler.

The Government plans to ratify the Paris agreement on climate change by the end of the year, Climate Change Issues Minister Paula Bennett says.

The agreement was finalised last December and made available for signature in April this year. Ratification is the formal step that countries must take to be full participants and to ensure the deal takes effect.

New Zealanders are benefiting from the Government’s continued focus on front-line services and restraint of bureaucracy, State Services Minister Paula Bennett says.

The latest report of the public sector cap shows a decrease of 190 to 35,917 full-time equivalent positions in the core public service compared to the previous year.

Currently set at 36,475 full-time equivalent (FTE) positions within core government administrative roles, the cap was introduced in 2008 and reset at the present lower level in 2012.

Climate Change Minister Paula Bennett has returned from a trip to the Pacific where she saw first-hand how communities are working to mitigate the effects of climate change and adapt to big weather events and King tides.

Mrs Bennett travelled to Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Kiribati, and Tuvalu last week. While in those countries she met climate change ministers and officials and reinforced New Zealand’s commitment to providing climate-related support to the region.

A new round of research funding and the appointment of a Special Representative are big steps forward for New Zealand’s involvement in the Global Research Alliance, Ministers Paula Bennett and Nathan Guy say.

“New Zealander Hayden Montgomery has been endorsed by GRA member countries as its first Special Representative. The appointment highlights the confidence other countries have in New Zealand and the value they place in the work we do managing the GRA Secretariat,” Climate Change Issues Minister Paula Bennett says.

The Government is phasing out a subsidy in the Emissions Trading Scheme that allows some businesses to pay one emissions unit for every two tonnes of pollution they emit, Climate Change Minister Paula Bennett says.

The one-for-two subsidy was a temporary measure introduced during the global financial crisis to help moderate the initial costs of the ETS while businesses were struggling.

“The subsidy will be phased out over three years to give businesses time to plan and adjust, to support a more stable market,” Mrs Bennett says.

(Delivered Friday 22 April 2016, Eastern Standard Time, New York City)

Tihei mauri ora!

E ngā mana

E ngā reo

E ngā rangatira o ngā hau e wha

Tenā koutou, tenā koutou, tenā koutou katoa.

It’s a great honour to be here today, representing New Zealand at the Signing Ceremony of the Paris Agreement on climate change.

I stand here speaking on behalf of 4 and a half million New Zealanders, proud that we are joining with all of you and your citizens to make history.  

A historic global climate change agreement has been signed today on behalf of New Zealand by Climate Change Minister Paula Bennett.

The Paris Agreement was concluded in December 2015 and is the first truly global deal to address climate change. 188 countries took part in the negotiations, covering more than 90 per cent of the world’s emissions.

Climate Change Minister Paula Bennett travels to the United States today to represent New Zealand at several major international events. 

Mrs Bennett will sign the Paris Climate Change Agreement on behalf of New Zealand at the United Nations in New York on Saturday 23 April.

“It’s an incredible privilege to represent our country at this historic event. The Paris deal is the first truly global deal on climate change, and it’s appropriate the event is being held to coincide with Earth Day,” says Mrs Bennett. 

Climate Change Minister Paula Bennett announced today that New Zealand’s next Climate Change Ambassador will be Mark Sinclair. 

Currently New Zealand’s Ambassador to Japan, Mr Sinclair is a senior and experienced diplomat with extensive international negotiation experience.

“Mark has a deep understanding of New Zealand’s interests and is an exceptional choice to lead the next steps of our negotiating effort,” Mrs Bennett says.

Two technical documents are being released to help New Zealanders engage with the second phase of the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) review, Climate Change Minister Paula Bennett says.

The Forestry technical note seeks feedback on the way the ETS and forestry sector interacts and how it will contribute to New Zealand meeting its future. international targets

The second report covers administrative issues including compliance requirements, exemptions under the Climate Change Response Act 2002, and the public’s access to information.

Good afternoon everyone, it’s great to be with you all at my first Bluegreen conference!

I want to start by first acknowledging my predecessor Tim Groser. 

He’s someone I know our party and in fact all New Zealanders should be immensely proud of, from global leadership in Climate Change and trade, right through to his unique and encyclopedic knowledge of 18th Century Prussian military leaders.

I’d also like to acknowledge my Bluegreen colleagues, many of whom you have or will hear from this weekend.