The Government has passed a bill removing agriculture from the Emissions Trading Scheme.
In a move widely criticized by climate advocates, the New Zealand Government has voted to remove agriculture from the country's Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). This decision comes amidst Aotearoa's ranking on climate action plummeting globally. The Climate Change Performance Index points out that policy changes made by the current government are largely responsible for this decline.
The Green Party has condemned the move, with Co-Leader and spokesperson Chlöe Swarbrick calling it a "national embarrassment" and "global disgrace." She argues that the decision is delaying meaningful action on climate change and will disproportionately affect low-income New Zealanders. Swarbrick also claims that the government's reliance on unproven technology and market forces to reduce emissions will ultimately cost citizens more.
The opposition's stance highlights the growing tension between climate activists and the current administration, with many Kiwis speaking out against what they see as a lack of leadership on environmental issues. As negotiations at COP29 continue, New Zealand's actions have sparked international scrutiny, prompting questions about the country's commitment to addressing climate change.