Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
New data on gas emissions is encouraging but more needs to be, the climate change minister says.
Data released Tuesday by Stats NZ shows total greenhouse gas emissions have fallen to their lowest levels in eight years.
The data showed electricity, gas, water, and waste services industry emissions were responsible for the largest reduction in emissions for the September 2022 quarter, falling 26 percent.
Emissions from primary industries such as agriculture, forestry, fishing, and mining remained flat, while total household emissions increased by 3 percent, mainly due to transport emissions.
The report also showed that from July to September 2022, gross domestic product (GDP) rose by 1.7 percent, while industry emissions, excluding households, fell by 4.1 percent.
Climate Change Minister James Shaw said the data showed the current policies were working.
"I am proud that over the past five-and-a-half years we have taken more action on climate change than the past 30 years of governments combined," he said.
"We are now starting to see the result of that work - and if we keep pushing harder and keep doing more, we can make sure our emissions stay on a downward trajectory until they hit net-zero."
Shaw said New Zealand's action to cut emissions was delivering results.
"This has been a long time coming, but it shows that what we are doing is working. We just need to keep doing more of it."
With more urgent action, New Zealand still has a decent chance of avoiding the worst effects of climate change, he said.
"Anything less than urgent action to cut climate pollution in every part of Aotearoa will not be sufficient.
"The most recent climate science made patently clear that the window of opportunity to take the necessary action is closing fast," he said.