Climate Change Commission Consultation on Emissions Budgets
Submission from Spokes Canterbury
Reference: https://haveyoursay.climatecommission.govt.nz/
Tēnā koutou katoa
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the Draft Advice on the fourth emissions budget (2036-2040), the Review of the 2050 emissions reduction target, and the Review on whether emissions from the international shipping and aviation should be included in the 2050 target.
Introduction
Spokes Canterbury (http://www.spokes.org.nz/) is a local cycling advocacy group with approximately 1,200 followers. Spokes is affiliated with the national Cycling Action Network (CAN – https://can.org.nz/). Spokes is dedicated to including cycling as an everyday form of transport in the greater Christchurch and Canterbury areas. Spokes has a long history of advocacy in this space including writing submissions, presenting to councils, and working collaboratively with others in the active transport space. We focus on the need for safe cycling for those aged 8 to 80. Spokes also supports all forms of active transport, public transport, and has an interest in environmental matters.
Draft Advice on the fourth emissions budget (2036-2040)
Aotearoa needs to strengthen our target based on:
- new evidence on the impact of climate change since 2019.
- the inclusion of international shipping and aviation.
- the solutions are for the most part known and available now, and are cheaper than adaptation, every part of a degree matters.
- Increasing negative impacts of climate change on Aotearoa, including drought and floods.
Aotearoa is no longer on track to meet the current obligations under the first three emissions budgets (2022–2025, 2026–2030, 2031–2035). The latest budget has very little support for climate change and current government policies and actions are moving the country backwards.
Transport is a major contributor to emissions and is one of the easiest areas to abate through modal change and electrification. Aotearoa needs to increase active transport including cycling and walking. A goal of 20% of journeys is achievable when safe infrastructure is available. In Christchurch there has been a 35% increase in cycling between 2017 and 2023. Christchurch proves that each time a new piece of safe infrastructure is built it encourages a new group of people to start cycling. The cost/benefit of building cycling infrastructure is significantly greater than building motorways, and can be done at a fraction of the cost, and there are significant proven co-benefits in health, both physical and mental.
This government has removed almost all funding for active transport including cycling; limited funding for public transport; and removed funding for Mass Rapid Transport in Greater Christchurch. The government is focused on building more roads and increasing speeds, both of which will increase emissions from transport.
Review of Climate the 2050 emissions reduction target
The current 2050 target is unlikely to be met and this is not compatible with keeping global warming under 1.5C.
The long-term emissions reductions committed to by comparable countries is changing as more data and solutions become available; and as countries are seeing more extreme events that can be scientifically attributed to climate change. As a result, the next review should happen in three years rather than five years.
The 2050 emissions reduction target should include international shipping and aviation.
International Shipping and Aviation
Spokes agrees that international shipping and aviation should be included in our national emission targets. There is an increasing desire by other countries to find an equitable way to account for these emissions, including Europe, UK and United States.
I would like the opportunity to present to the Commission on this submission and I am happy to discuss or clarify any issues that arise.
Anne Scott
Submissions Co-ordinator
Spokes Canterbury
