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If you want to buy an EV but need it to be more affordable, this is your chance!

The Clean Car Standard would set a limit on the carbon pollution of vehicles brought into the country – at the moment there are no standards and as a result NZ has the dirtiest fleet in the OECD. Because of their inefficiency, despite our fuel being cheaper than some other countries, our cars cost more to run on average.

Separately, the Clean Car Discount policy would levy a fee on the sale of the most polluting vehicles and provide a discount on the cleaner ones, making it revenue neutral. Ministry of Transport analysis shows these policies wold save the country billions overall and cut emissions.

Low Carbon Kāpiti’s view is the introduction of these policies is a good thing and should be supported, despite the fact some of the settings are too weak and slow. Once the policy structures are in, the settings can be adjusted. What we don’t want is the government dropping this altogether due to lack of public support and nothing being done for years. There is an anti-campaign being run by the Opposition for short term political gain, so it is vital support is shown. If you want to buy an EV but need it to be more affordable, this is your chance to make it happen! [Read more…] about Please make a quick sub on the ‘Clean Car’ proposals before 5pm 20 August

By David Yockney

The Government introduced the Climate Change Response (Zero Carbon) Amendment Bill to Parliament in May and is now accepting submissions from the public.

The purpose of this legislation is “to provide a framework by which New Zealand can develop and implement clear and stable climate change policies that contribute to the global effort under the Paris Agreement”.

The bill will, amongst other things:

• Create a target of reducing all greenhouse gases, except biogenic (agricultural) methane, to net zero by 2050
• Create a separate target to reduce emissions of biogenic methane by 10% by 2030, and 24-47% by 2050 (relative to 2017 levels)
• Establish a new, independent climate commission to provide emissions budgets, expert advice, and monitoring to help keep successive governments on track
• Require government to implement policies for climate change risk assessment, a national adaptation plan, and progress reporting on implementation of the plan.

This is an incredibly important piece of legislation and it needs to be as ambitious as possible if we are to make an impact on our emissions. New Zealand must play its role. At 18 tonnes of CO2equivalent per capita, we are the fifth highest emitter of greenhouse gases in the OECD. New Zealand also needs to acknowledge its historical responsibility for accumulated emissions and the benefits they have bought to this country. We must do our fair share.

To ensure a strong Act, people need to make submissions. Submissions close at midnight on 16 July, 2019.

[Read more…] about Climate Change Response (Zero Carbon) Amendment Bill- submissions close 16 July, 2019

23 May 2019 – to the elected members of the Kāpiti Coast District Council

Jake Roos – Chairperson

We are here today to present our petition urging council to adopt a goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2025 so council can play its part in addressing the climate crisis. Over 1,520 people have signed it. We have gathered these signatures at markets, at meetings, groups and clubs, from friends and family, online and at our train stations. Most people we asked signed without hesitation – we encountered maybe one person in ten who refused. Often those people would say that it was because they had given up, it was too late, that they had no hope.

Well looking at how grim our situation is I don’t have a lot of hope either, but I will tell you what I do have. Determination. Determination to do the right thing. Determination not to let my children down. Determination not to be the one of the people that for whatever lousy reason stood by and let the whole damn world slip away. And I am not the only one who is determined. You can see many of them before you today, and you’ll see more tomorrow when the school strikers return. [Read more…] about Speeches to Council in support of the ‘Carbon Neutral 2025’ petition