Cabinet has agreed to begin consulting on the Emissions Reduction Plan next month, with a view to releasing a final plan in May next year.
Minister of Climate Change, James Shaw said Cabinet’s decision allowed organisations and communities key to the Emissions Reduction Plan’s success to focus on getting through “the worst” of the COVID outbreak before engaging with the plan.
“The plan will be developed with input from Iwi/Māori, Pacific communities, business, NGOs, local government, and communities all over the country,” he said.
“Notifying them now of our timeline for consultation gives them time to prepare the resources they need to engage fully.
“It is only right to make sure everyone has the chance to contribute without the additional challenge of keeping people safe while the country is at different alert levels, especially those in Auckland who are still at level 4.
“It also allows the Government to align the final plan with Budget 2022, so people can see how its delivery will be supported through Government investment.”
Mr Shaw said the final Emissions Reduction Plan will set out the policies and strategies Aotearoa New Zealand will take to meet the country’s first ever emissions budget.
It will also set the direction for how future emissions budgets will be met, he said.
