{"id":29257,"date":"2015-07-08T13:28:58","date_gmt":"2015-07-08T03:28:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/nofibs.com.au\/?p=29257"},"modified":"2019-04-16T13:31:21","modified_gmt":"2019-04-16T03:31:21","slug":"new-zealand-sets-unambituous-and-conditional-climate-change-target-reports-takvera","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/archive.nofibs.com.au\/new-zealand-sets-unambituous-and-conditional-climate-change-target-reports-takvera\/","title":{"rendered":"New Zealand sets unambituous and conditional #climate change target reports @takvera"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"attachment_29258\" style=\"width: 810px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nofibs.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/20150708-newzealand-rotorua-geothermal-IMG_2704-feature.jpg\"><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-29258\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nofibs.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/20150708-newzealand-rotorua-geothermal-IMG_2704-feature.jpg?resize=800%2C400\" alt=\"Green fields north of Rotorua and the cooling tower of Ohaaki Geothermal power station in the middle distance. Photo: John Englart\" width=\"800\" height=\"400\" class=\"size-full wp-image-29258\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/archive.nofibs.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/20150708-newzealand-rotorua-geothermal-IMG_2704-feature.jpg?w=800&amp;ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/archive.nofibs.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/20150708-newzealand-rotorua-geothermal-IMG_2704-feature.jpg?resize=300%2C150&amp;ssl=1 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-29258\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Green fields north of Rotorua and the cooling tower of Ohaaki Geothermal power station in the middle distance. Photo: John Englart<\/p><\/div>\n<p><em>While we wait for the Australian Government to release our post 2020 climate targets, expected later this month, John Englart reports on New Zealand&#8217;s climate target it has just submitted to the United Nations in the lead up to the December Climate conference in Paris, and the reaction from civil society and scientific community.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>\nNew Zealand has released it&#8217;s post 2020 climate targets, but already they are being heavily criticised by civil society and scientists as far too low, even given the specific national circumstances of the high proportion of agricultural sector emissions in the nation&#8217;s greenhouse gas inventory.\n<\/p>\n<p>\nThe <a href=\"http:\/\/www4.unfccc.int\/submissions\/INDC\/Published%20Documents\/New%20Zealand\/1\/New%20Zealand%20INDC%202015.pdf\">New Zealand INDC<\/a> (PDF) was submitted to the United Nations on Tuesday 7 July 2015. The primary post 2020 target is set at 30 percent below 2005 levels by 2030 (which equates to 11 percent below 1990 levels).\n<\/p>\n<p>\nNew Zealand also has a longer term target of reducing emissions to 50 percent below 1990 levels by 2050. While 80 percent of it&#8217;s electricity is already produced from renewables, it has pledged to increase this to 90 percent by 2025.\n<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"#minister\">Minister: &#8220;significant increase on our current target&#8221;<\/a>\n<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#oxfam\">Oxfam blasts target as a slap in the face for Pacific Island nations<\/a>\n<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#science\">Scientists say target not nearly enough<\/a>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\n<a name=\"minister\"> <\/a><\/p>\n<h3>\nMinister: &#8220;significant increase on our current target&#8221;<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<p>\nThe Hon Tim Groser, the Minister for Climate Change Issues, in a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.national.org.nz\/news\/news\/media-releases\/detail\/2015\/07\/07\/climate-change-target-announced\">media statement<\/a> said  \u201cThis is a significant increase on our current target of five per cent below 1990 emission levels by 2020.\u201d\n<\/p>\n<p>\nGroser highlighted that 80 percent of New Zealand&#8217;s energy already came from renewable sources, with a high proportion of emissions from the agriculture and transport sectors, &#8220;So there are fewer opportunities for New Zealand to reduce its emissions right now.&#8221; he said.\n<\/p>\n<p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nofibs.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/20150708-Newzealand-INDC-emissions-by-sector.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nofibs.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/20150708-Newzealand-INDC-emissions-by-sector.png?resize=582%2C424\" alt=\"20150708-Newzealand-INDC-emissions-by-sector\" width=\"582\" height=\"424\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-29259\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/archive.nofibs.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/20150708-Newzealand-INDC-emissions-by-sector.png?w=582&amp;ssl=1 582w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/archive.nofibs.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/20150708-Newzealand-INDC-emissions-by-sector.png?resize=300%2C219&amp;ssl=1 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 582px) 100vw, 582px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/a>\n<\/p>\n<p>\nIn essence Grosser outlined a policy of kicking the can down the road and heavy reliance on carbon trading credits, &#8220;Our investment in agricultural research is beginning to bear fruit and the cost of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles continues to fall. I think in 5-10 years we\u2019ll be in a good position to reduce our emissions in both agriculture and transport.&#8221; he said.\n<\/p>\n<p>\nTim Groser acknowledged the large number of people who engaged in public meetings and the more than 15,000 formal submissions made on what New Zealand&#8217;s post 2020 targets should be, but not what most of those submissions called for: ambituous post 2020 targets in accordance with the science.\n<\/p>\n<p>\nProfessor Ralph Sims (see comment further down) highlighted that &#8220;68.7% of the submissions of around 16,000 people to the climate change consultation document sought 40% or more reduction in emissions below 1990 levels.&#8221;\n<\/p>\n<p>\nNew Zealand also made their UN INDC pledge highly conditional on accounting for the land sector, and confirmation of access to carbon markets.\n<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" lang=\"en\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">\nNew Zealand commits to a highly conditional pledge of 11% below 1990 levels as part of its <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/COP21?src=hash\">#COP21<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/INDC?src=hash\">#INDC<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/t.co\/nJnnixYJk2\">http:\/\/t.co\/nJnnixYJk2<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Paris?src=hash\">#Paris<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Climate Strategies (@ClimateStrateg) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ClimateStrateg\/status\/618420466852585473\">July 7, 2015<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>\nNew Zealand Government argues that there are specific national circumstances why it cannot increase emissions reduction. These include a higher than average population growth: 31 percent, as against OECD average of 18 percent.\n<\/p>\n<p>\nAlso the Agricultural sector produces nearly half (48 per cent) of the national emissions, whereas the OECD average is 9 percent. While most nations can cut emissions through expansion of renewables in the electricity sector, New Zealand already produces 80 percent of electricity from renewables, whereas the OECD total average is 21.9 percent.\n<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" lang=\"en\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">\nBreak down of y&#039;day&#039;s <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/IEA\">@IEA<\/a> re <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/OECD\">@OECD<\/a> renewables in power generation. Hydro #1, Wind #2, Biomass (+ other) #3, Solar #4 <a href=\"http:\/\/t.co\/ef1JvjlU8I\">pic.twitter.com\/ef1JvjlU8I<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; SaskWind (@SaskWind) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SaskWind\/status\/618555099002961920\">July 7, 2015<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>\n<a name=\"oxfam\"> <\/a><\/p>\n<h3>\nOxfam blasts targets as a slap in the face for Pacific Island nations<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<p>\nOxfam New Zealand Executive Director Rachael Le Mesurier in a stinging rebuke called the low ambition in the target a &#8220;slap in the face&#8221; for New Zealand&#8217;s Pacific Island Neighbouring states. Here is her <a href=\"http:\/\/www.oxfam.org.nz\/news\/nzs-emissions-targets\">media statement<\/a> in full:\n<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>\u201cOxfam is enormously disappointed with New Zealand\u2019s emissions reduction target.  The target of 11% emissions reduction below 1990 levels (30% below 2005 levels) by 2030 reflects a worrying lack of ambition. This target does not represent New Zealand\u2019s fair share of the international effort required to keep global temperature rises below 2\u00b0C, let alone the 1.5\u00b0C that many developing countries are calling for.\n<\/p>\n<p>\n\u201cNew Zealand\u2019s neighbours in the Pacific are some of those most affected by climate change and this target will be a slap in the face to them. It is irresponsible for New Zealand to continue to pollute the atmosphere with dangerous amounts of greenhouse gases whilst also claiming to be a friend to the Pacific and other small island developing states. If all countries adopted a similar level of ambition then the resulting climate change would be devastating to Pacific island countries.\n<\/p>\n<p>\n\u201cThere were 17,000 submissions to the recent government consultation for New Zealand\u2019s INDC. Of submitters who recommended a target, 99% recommended that it be either 40% below 1990 levels or higher, or zero carbon emissions by 2050. Today the government has shown that it is unwilling to listen to New Zealanders and is unwilling to lead in taking real climate action.\u201d\n<\/p>\n<p>\n\u201cBefore our climate change negotiators head to Paris in December, New Zealand must commit to taking a far more ambitious target and a real plan to back it up. New Zealand also needs to commit to providing adequate climate finance to developing countries, especially for adaptation purposes.\u201d  <\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>\nGreenpeace New Zealand also issued a <a href=\"http:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/new-zealand\/en\/press\/NZ-Governments-just-announced-climate-change-target-a-con-job\/\">statement<\/a> and said the post 2020 target was a con-job,  \u201cOn paper it may look ok, but it\u2019s a distraction from the fact that it\u2019s not an improvement on any of our previous targets at all &#8211; it\u2019s a con-job,\u201d said Greenpeace NZ Climate Campaigner Simon Boxer.\n<\/p>\n<p>\n\u201cThose in power who are meant to be representing the best interests of Kiwis can bandy about any figures they like, but guess what &#8211; they won\u2019t actually have to stick to them if this plan goes ahead. In his seven years at the helm of our country, John Key has failed to introduce a single piece of law to reduce climate pollution \u2013 that\u2019s not going to change.\u201d said Simon Boxer, taking a dig at New Zealand&#8217;s conservative Prime Minister John Key.\n<\/p>\n<p>\n<a name=\"science\"> <\/a><\/p>\n<h3>\nScientists say target not nearly enough<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<p>\nCommentary from the science community was equally scathing in the low ambition in the target.\n<\/p>\n<p>\nDr Jim Salinger, climate scientist, said &#8220;The Government\u2019s target errs on the side of the challenges New Zealand faces when deciding on a target. New Zealand is uniquely placed in terms of our agricultural emissions, and our national circumstances, but we are equally uniquely placed to lead on developing low-carbon solutions that support, enhance and potentially advantage our economy.&#8221;\n<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>\n&#8220;We need to be more ambitious and match the EU promise to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2030.&#8221; said climate scientist Jim Salinger\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>\nDr Adrian Macey, Senior Associate, Institute for Governance and Policy Studies, Victoria University of Wellington, called this a &#8220;minimum credible target&#8221;, and highlighted that New Zealand already has on the table a conditional target of 10 to 20 percent below 1990 by 2020, with an unconditional 5 percent below 1990 by 2020 target.\n<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>\n&#8220;A reduction of 11% below 1990 by 2030 will not put New Zealand on a pathway to meet the gazetted 50 percent reduction (from 1990) by 2050 target.&#8221; said Dr Adrian Macey.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>\n&#8220;New Zealand, along with other countries will face pressure to increase the ambition of its target at and after this year&#8217;s Paris climate change conference. But the international target is only part of the question. A great deal of work is now needed at home to determine the direction of our climate change policies, including the review of the Emission Trading Scheme.&#8221; said Macey.\n<\/p>\n<p>\nProf James Renwick, School of Geography, Environment and Earth Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, said &#8220;This is in line with the previous target of 5% by 2020, and 50% by 2050, so there is no \u201cstrengthening\u201d of New Zealand\u2019s position. This new target is as weak as previously-announced ones and does not come close to what is required, if New Zealand is serious about keeping warming to less than 2 degrees (as the Government have said we are).&#8221;\n<\/p>\n<p>\nRenwick strongly articulated the targets required according to the science: \u201cThe science says, compared to 1990, we need about a 40% reduction by 2030, 90% by 2050, and 100% by 2060 \u2013 and then negative emissions (removal of CO2 from the atmosphere) for the rest of the century. New Zealand is one of the highest emitters in the world on a per-capita basis. Our dependence on agriculture and already high fraction of renewable electricity are not valid excuses for taking serious action. If all countries followed New Zealand\u2019s lead, we would be in for very significant climate change impacts and catastrophic damage to the New Zealand and global economy.\u201c\n<\/p>\n<p>\nProfessor David Frame, Director of the Climate Change Research Institute, Victoria University Wellington called the target &#8220;pretty reasonable&#8221; and endorsed it&#8217;s conditionality. &#8220;In this sort of problem a country\u2019s best course of action depends on what others are prepared to do, too: if they do more, we can do more at the same price \u2013 if Japan drives its motor industry to produce affordable hybrids and electric vehicles, then New Zealand gains additional ability to reduce its emissions in the transport sector.\n<\/p>\n<p>\nCatherine Leining, Policy Fellow, Motu Economic and Public Policy Research also highlighted gap between policy and what is required, \u201cWhat\u2019s missing from the submission is a firm commitment backed by policy to decarbonise the New Zealand economy in line with global effort to limit temperature rises below two degrees Celsius.&#8221;\n<\/p>\n<p>\nLeining highlighted problems in reliance on carbon trading and forestry emissions, &#8220;The submission suggests heavy reliance on carbon markets until technology improvements in agriculture and transport become more widely available sometime after 2030.  The submission does not address the significant spike in net forestry emissions projected during the target period. <\/p>\n<p>\nProfessor Ralph Sims, the Director of Centre for Energy Research at Massey University highlighted in a graph and commentary how lacking in ambition the New Zealand INDC post 2020 targets actually are:\n<\/p>\n<p>\n&#8220;The original 5% below 1990 by 2020 target equates to around 3 Mt \/ year reduction in gross emissions if starting mitigation from today, whereas the 11% below 1990 by 2030 (i.e. the stated 30% below 2005 by 2030) is around a 1.3 Mt\/year reduction \u2013 so it is hardly more ambitious!!!\n<\/p>\n<p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nofibs.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/20150708-newzealand-emissions-path.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/nofibs.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/20150708-newzealand-emissions-path-300x119.png?resize=300%2C119\" alt=\"20150708-newzealand-emissions-path\" width=\"300\" height=\"119\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-29260\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/archive.nofibs.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/20150708-newzealand-emissions-path.png?resize=300%2C119&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/archive.nofibs.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/20150708-newzealand-emissions-path.png?w=932&amp;ssl=1 932w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n&#8220;This figure is based on MfE\u2019s GHG inventory 1990-2013. It assumes the NZ target is based on GROSS emissions (though this is not able to be 100% confirmed even in the Minister\u2019s letter to UNFCCC.\n<\/p>\n<p>\n\u201cSo in essence: Previous target of 5% reduction below 1990 levels (66.7 Mt CO2 equivalent) equates to annual total gross emissions of 63.4 Mt CO2 equivalent in 2020. This new target of 30% reduction below 2005 levels equates to annual gross emissions of around 59.2 Mt CO2 equivalent in 2030. Minister Groser is therefore correct in saying this is similar to a target of 11% reduction below 1990 levels (which would equate to 59.4 Mt CO2-eq ).\n<\/p>\n<p>\n\u201cBUT we now have 10 years longer to reduce New Zealand\u2019s total GHG emissions by an additional relatively small amount of 4.2 Mt CO2-eq.\n<\/p>\n<p>\n\u201cThe original 5% below 1990 by 2020 target equates to around 3 Mt \/ year reduction in gross emissions if starting mitigation from today, whereas the 11% below 1990 by 2030 (i.e. the stated 30% below 2005 by 2030) is around a 1.3 Mt\/year reduction.\n<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>\n\u201cIs this really \u201cdoing our fair share\u201d when to meet the internationally agreed target of keeping the temperature rise below 2C requires around 40% global GHG reductions by 2030?\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>\n\u201cIn fact, from the MfE web site, 68.7% of the submissions of around 16,000 people to the climate change consultation document sought 40% or more reduction in emissions below 1990 levels (including the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.royalsociety.org.%20nz\/expert-advice\/papers\/%20yr2015\/comments-on-new-%20zealands-climate-change-%20target-discussion-document\/\">Royal Society of NZ<\/a> see). The vast majority of those people will be very disappointed in this low-ambition target \u2013 so much for public consultation.&#8221; concluded Professor Ralph Sims.\n<\/p>\n<p>\nAssoc Prof Frank Jotzo, Director of the Centre for Climate Economics &amp; Policy and Director of the Resources Environment and Development (RE&amp;D) program at the Australian National University commented &#8220;Most other countries\u2019 pledges imply ramping up their effort in the 2020s, New Zealand\u2019s pledge fails this test.&#8221;\n<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" lang=\"en\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">\nBREAKING: <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/NewZealand?src=hash\">#NewZealand<\/a> downgrades climate pledge to 11% by 2030. It&#039;s a race to the bottom with Canada. <a href=\"http:\/\/t.co\/ah8y2KKQtK\">http:\/\/t.co\/ah8y2KKQtK<\/a> &#010;<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/COP21?src=hash\">#COP21<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Adam Greenberg (@Pragmactivist99) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Pragmactivist99\/status\/618280757337821189\">July 7, 2015<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>\nSo New Zealand joins Canada and Japan in being a climate laggard in the lead up to the December Paris UN climate talks.  <\/p>\n<p>\nCanada set a post 2020 target of 30 percent on 2005 levels by 2030, which is widely seen as an insufficient target which it is unlikely to achieve except by major offsets.\n<\/p>\n<p>\nAccording to Climate Action Tracker, Newspaper articles report that Japan will likely put forward an emissions reduction target of 20 percent below 2013 emission levels by 2030.\n<\/p>\n<p>\nThe USA, Europe and China have all submitted more ambituous emissions reduction plans as part of their INDC submissions. Europe has pledged a 40 per cent cut on 1990 levels by 2030, China has pledged a 60 to 65 per cent cut on 2005 levels by 2030, and the United States has pledged a 25 to 28 per cent cut on 2005 levels by 2025. The small island nation of Costa Rica has pledged to be carbon neutral by 2021.\n<\/p>\n<p>\nHowever, the combined plans of all nations indicate we are <a href=\"https:\/\/uk.news.yahoo.com\/scientists-point-narrowing-gap-averting-climate-disaster-103235441.html\">still on target for burning the planet with 3 to 4 degrees C of warming<\/a> by the end of the century, according to climate scientists presently meeting in Paris. &#8220;The world is at a critical crossroads,&#8221; UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said at the gathering of 2,000 academics. &#8220;Clearly strong action still needs to be taken.&#8221;\n<\/p>\n<p>\nClimate science from the IPCC has recommended, since at least the <a href=\"http:\/\/takvera.blogspot.com.au\/2007\/12\/climate-change-road-map-agreement.html\">Bali climate roadmap in 2007<\/a>, that industrialised countries need to cut their emissions by 25 to 40 percent below 1990 levels for a reasonable chance of the planet staying under the 2 degrees Celsius threshold and avoid dangerous climate impacts likely to occur above that level. In fact the 25-40 percent industrialised country target was actually adopted as a footnote to the Bali agreement.\n<\/p>\n<p>\nDutch Citizens recently won a <a href=\"http:\/\/takvera.blogspot.com.au\/2015\/06\/dutch-court-orders-netherlands.html\">landmark legal case under tort and human rights law<\/a> with a ruling that the Netherlands Government needs to cut emissions by at least 25 percent by 2020 in accordance with the climate science recommendations. Some Pacific Island nations have already indicated that <a href=\"http:\/\/takvera.blogspot.com.au\/2015\/06\/pacific-island-nations-threaten-legal.html\">legal cases may be launched against countries or corporations<\/a> that are major climate polluters or not sufficiently addressing the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.\n<\/p>\n<p>\nSo what target will Australia set? Will it be in accordance with the science or place us with the industrial climate laggards condemning the world to an apocalyptic climate future?\n<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>\n<b>Sources:<\/b> <\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The Hon Tim Groser, Minister for Climate Change Issues, media statement, 7 July 2015 &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.national.org.nz\/news\/news\/media-releases\/detail\/2015\/07\/07\/climate-change-target-announced\">Climate Change Target announced<\/a>\n<\/li>\n<li>New Zealand Government,  7 July 2015 &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/www4.unfccc.int\/submissions\/INDC\/Published%20Documents\/New%20Zealand\/1\/New%20Zealand%20INDC%202015.pdf\">New Zealand&#8217;s Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC)<\/a> (PDF)\n<\/li>\n<li>New Zealand Science Media Centre, 7 July 2015 &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/www.sciencemediacentre.co.nz\/2015\/07\/07\/nz-climate-target-announced-expert-reaction\/\">NZ climate target announced &#8211; expert reaction<\/a>\n<\/li>\n<li>Oxfam New Zealand, July 7, 2015 &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/www.oxfam.org.nz\/news\/nzs-emissions-targets\">NZ&#8217;s emission targets<\/a>\n<\/li>\n<li>Greenpeace New Zealand statement, 7 July 2015 &#8211; <a href=\"http:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/new-zealand\/en\/press\/NZ-Governments-just-announced-climate-change-target-a-con-job\/\">NZ Government\u2019s just-announced climate change target a \u201ccon job\u201d<\/a>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<!-- AddThis Advanced Settings generic via filter on the_content --><!-- AddThis Share Buttons generic via filter on the_content -->","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>While we wait for the Australian Government to release our post 2020 climate targets, expected later this month, John Englart reports on New Zealand&#8217;s climate target it has just submitted to the United Nations in the lead up to the December Climate conference in Paris, and the reaction from civil society and scientific community. New [&hellip;]<!-- AddThis Advanced Settings generic via filter on get_the_excerpt --><!-- AddThis Share Buttons generic via filter on get_the_excerpt --><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":29258,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false,"jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false}}},"categories":[3434,3404,3331,3387,2796,1986,675,651,585,15,907],"tags":[2379,2520,2380],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/archive.nofibs.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/20150708-newzealand-rotorua-geothermal-IMG_2704-feature.jpg?fit=800%2C400&ssl=1","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p3t0mw-7BT","jetpack_likes_enabled":false,"jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/archive.nofibs.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29257"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/archive.nofibs.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/archive.nofibs.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/archive.nofibs.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/12"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/archive.nofibs.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=29257"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/archive.nofibs.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29257\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/archive.nofibs.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/29258"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/archive.nofibs.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=29257"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/archive.nofibs.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=29257"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/archive.nofibs.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=29257"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}