Minister Shaw addresses the global Ministerial on Climate Action

Tēnā koutou katoa ngā mihi nui kia koutou.  

To stay within the Paris Agreement’s temperature goals and build a more resilient and thriving future, we need to cut global emissions by 45 percent below 2010 levels by 2030.

So far the world has committed to only a fraction of what is required. But having delayed action for decades, there is still time – and that’s what makes the moment we find ourselves in now so exciting.

COP26 is now less than eight months away, so now is the time we must decisively choose the future we want for our children.

If countries can come to Glasgow with clear, bold and transformative plans for reducing emissions, the low carbon future we have talked about for years will be closer within reach than ever before.

Yes, it will be challenge, but the opportunity ahead of us is huge. Strong, inclusive, and climate-friendly economies that support the recovery from COVID, create new jobs, and encourage innovation - all within planetary limits.

Here in Aotearoa New Zealand our independent, science-led Climate Change Commission is finalising advice to the Government on the pathway we must follow to build a low emissions economy by 2050.

Once we receive that advice I will lead development of a detailed Emissions Reduction Plan that I intend to bring to COP26 setting out the action to reduce emissions in every sector of our economy.

I will also lead a revision of New Zealand’s Nationally Determined Contribution to ensure we are playing our part to keep the global temperature increase to 1.5 degrees.

Climate finance is a critical pillar of real and tangible climate change action across the world and I am pleased to confirm today that, despite the economic pressures brought about by the pandemic, New Zealand is on track to significantly exceed its current climate finance commitment.

We will build on this and ahead of COP26 confirm our next climate finance commitment to support other countries to develop along a low emissions pathway, as well as to undertake the adaptation measures necessary to protect lives, livelihoods and infrastructure from unavoidable climate change impacts.

I look forward to hearing about similar progress being made across the world, as well as the plans you all have in place to help accelerate a shared transition to a low carbon future.

No reira, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā tatou katoa.