A New Zealand Government proposal to the UN on how to kick-start climate change negotiations at Paris next year has been praised by America's leading expert on the subject.
Todd Stern - pictured at the UNFCCC in Durban in 2011 - has supported New Zealand's proposal. Photo: AFP
The proposal, developed by a range of ministries, offers an outline for how negotiations should run before the meetings in Lima and Paris.
New Zealand has suggested that climate change measures be broadened from a minority of countries under the Kyoto Protocol to everyone.
It also wants countries to be able to set their emissions goals in keeping with their own economic conditions.
US State Department Special Envoy for Climate Change Todd Stern said New Zealand's idea was the most interesting proposal around.
"We think that the most interesting proposal on the table right now was put forward by New Zealand, under which there would be a legally-binding obligation to submit what they call a schedule, and so forth."
The idea is also supported by the Professor of Sustainable Energy at Massey University, Ralph Sims.
"The concept is flexible and it involves all countries having to reduce emissions. From that point of view, it's positive, because we need all countries to be involved."
But Mr Sims said although New Zealand's international plans are good, this country needs to work harder on its own emissions.