Media coverage

New Zealand’s emission reduction targets are under global scrutiny, with many climate change lobbies and environmental experts urging for more action. The analysis by four global NGOs also indicates proclaimed self-set target as inadequate at the global stage. "While most other governments intend cutting emissions, New Zealand is increasing emissions," according to Climate Analytics chief executive Bill Hare. The analysis by Climate Action Tracker, which is a consortium of four European research organizations, also warns that if most countries are going to emulate New Zealand's approach in emission reduction, then global warming may exceed 3-4 degree Celsius and will upset the international goal of restraining temperature hike below 2C.

A international group of scientists based in Europe says New Zealand is not doing its fair share to combat climate change. The comments follow the Government's pledge last week to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 30 percent below the level of 2005 by the year 2030. The Government says this is a significant increase on current targets but it is still only 11 percent below 1990 levels, which is a more commonly used date for calibration.

The greenhouse gas emissions reduction target for the 2020s the Government intends to pledge has been rated inadequate by Climate Action Tracker, and as falling short of a fair share of the international effort required.

New Zealand last week pledged to cut its greenhouse gas emissions 30% from 2005 to 2030 – equivalent to 11% below 1990 levels. But analysts say under the government’s proposed accounting rules, the country’s emissions could actually increase 11% over the 40-year period.

New Zealand could be in trouble with its post-2020 emissions reduction target if the world doesn’t allow us to continue to use creative accounting to meet our obligations, international scientists are warning.

European researchers say New Zealand isn't doing its fair share when it comes to curbing greenhouse gas emissions.The allegation's being made by Climate Action Tracker, which has undertaken analysis via four independent European research organisations.They've rated New Zealand's emissions reduction targets as inadequate and say if other nations followed our approach then global warming would end up exceeding three to four degrees.

New Zealand isn't doing its fair share to fight climate change, according to a new report, which says the greenhouse gas emissions reduction target for the 2020s the Government intends to pledge is inadequate. Climate Action Tracker says the target falls short of its share of the international effort required. It is a grouping of four independent European research organisations: Climate Analytics, Ecofys, New Climate Institute and the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research.

New analysis from an international research group has condemned New Zealand’s weak climate target said WWF today.“This analysis from Climate Action Tracker shows that New Zealand’s target is well below what is needed to stop dangerous climate change, said Peter Hardstaff, WWF Head of Campaigns.

The government's new emissions reduction target amounts to little more than creative accounting, a group of climate change agencies say. Analysis undertaken by four NGOs indicates the self-set target is inadequate and "far from doing its fair share" on the global stage. "While most other governments intend cutting emissions, New Zealand appears to be increasing emissions, and hiding this through creative accounting," Climate Analytics chief executive Bill Hare said. "It may not have to take any action at all to meet either its 2020 or 2030 targets." The Climate Action Tracker analysis, undertaken by four European research organisations, reveals if most countries followed New Zealand's lead global warming would exceed 3-4C - double the international goal of temperatures rising no more than 2C.

New analyses are giving mixed grades to the most recent greenhouse gas emissions targets submitted to the United Nations, with particularly low marks for the pledge from South Korea.A new study by the Climate Action Tracker (CAT) -- a consortium of scientists and energy modelers -- declared South Korea's pledge to cut emissions 37 percent below business-as-usual levels by 2030 "inadequate." That target ultimately was more ambitious than ones the Korean government initially considered, but CAT analysts said it is still consistent with a global temperature rise between 3 to 4 degrees Celsius by 2100.