Issue #20: The Emissions Reduction Plan
On how we support politicians to go further
Kia ora, and happy Tuesday!
The Emissions Reduction Plan (ERP) came out yesterday, and there are a few good roundups on what it all means.
On the one hand, it is a win (if long-overdue!) to have climate change reform as core government policy. However, with the IPCC report showing that global emissions must peak by 2025 to limit global warming, the government’s plans feel like a piecemeal effort at a time when we need to make transformational change.
So this week’s issue collects all the bold policies that are missing from the ERP, which we can still campaign for. Climate Clinic VUW has a good summary of these 6 pillars, which will be the focus of this issue.
Also, just another reminder that local elections are coming up, and they are critical for climate action - we’ll be talking more about them in the near future!
From last week’s issue, it was cool to see that the most clicked link was the list of open volunteer positions 💪🏾
What can you do today?
🐝 If you have 5 minutes
Get ag in the bag
The ERP involves further R&D investment to attempt to reduce biogenic methane, funded directly from the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), which the agriculture sector does not contribute to. We are funding unproven theories despite knowing what works: pricing methane, reducing herd size, and cutting out synthetic nitrogen.
Actions:
Herd numbers in Aotearoa are maintained by using synthetic nitrogen fertiliser, which has devastating impacts on our climate.
Actions: Sign the petition, and sign the regional targets in Christchurch, Southland, and Otago.
Take the coal out of councils
The majority of the state sector agreed to the 2025 pledge to become carbon neutral. As we’re not decarbonising fast enough, this means off-setting. Instead we need to see investment to replace existing boilers in hospitals and prisons.
Action: Call for a ban on new fossil fuel boilers in the state sector
Free our fares
The ERP emphasised cars and a low-carbon public transport system, but it doesn’t go far enough. For a fair and equitable transition, we need to take this further.
Action: Keep pushing for free fares for all!
Power to the people
The ERP missed out on a crucial component of self-reliant empowered communities: being incentivised to generate their own renewable energy.
Action: Advocate for community energy projects
🐇 If you have 15 minutes: Be a quiz whizz
The Ministry for the Environment has a simple questionnaire for you to share your thoughts on your relationship to the land (everything from bike trails to local food production). It’s very quick, and everyone is welcome to share their thoughts.
Action: By Friday, read page 5 & 6 of the People & Place consultation document and then answer any of the 9 questions in the consultation survey
💃🏽 If you have 30 minutes or more: See a seminal seminar
Our Climate Declaration is holding a webinar about the concept of degrowth. Unlike “green growth”, which assumes our current capitalist beliefs of infinite natural resources, degrowth proposes an alternative where we focus on social outcomes rather than GDP.
Action: RSVP to this 1.5 hour seminar on degrowth at 7pm Wed 1 June
That’s all for today, folks 👋🏽 Thanks for taking action. Enjoy this heartwarming story of a 9 year old who is getting compost in schools.
P.S. Sadie would like to let you know that she continues to both look and be majestic.
See you next week,
Dhanya, Emily, and Jenny from the Climate Club
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