12. Question No. 12—Climate ChangeMARAMA DAVIDSON (Co-Leader—Green) to the Minister for Climate ChangeQuestion No. 12—Climate Change12. MARAMA DAVIDSON (Co-Leader—Green) to the Minister for Climate Change: Does he agree with Greta Thunberg that when it comes to the climate crisis The world is waking up. And change is coming whether you like it or not"?Hon JAMES SHAW (Minister for Climate Change): Yes and change is coming in New Zealand after decades of passing the buck on climate change. Change takes time but our Government is very aware that that time is running out. We have been putting in place the frameworks to drive down emissions like the zero carbon bill and reforms to the emissions trading scheme (ETS) but we know that we need to do more and we need to move faster to ensure a safe and stable climate for future generations.Marama Davidson: What kinds of changes might New Zealanders see as part of the just transition to a low-emissions economy?Hon JAMES SHAW: People will see more electric cars on the roads. They'll see more public transport they'll see major coal users switch to clean alternatives like burning wood waste they'll see better buses and trains in our cities and they'll see changes to make it safer for their kids to cycle to school. People will see more trees planted in the right places.Marama Davidson: Can he assure coastal communities and local government that the Government is working to help them prepare for the effects of climate change?Hon JAMES SHAW: Yes I can. Our Government understands that we are all in this together and that's why last week we published the first ever framework for a nationwide climate change risk assessment. This will help communities and local councils to plan and prepare for the effects of climate change like rising seas more extreme weather and droughts.Marama Davidson: As Minister for Climate Change what is his view on the student strikers who plan to march for the climate on Friday 27 September?Hon JAMES SHAW: I talk to many students and New Zealanders of all ages who feel that we are in an unstoppable descent into a climate change disaster. Some feel helpless like there's nothing that we can do—that is a heavy sense of inevitability. As someone who grew up under the threat of nuclear annihilation in the 1980s I can relate to their anxiety but I also say to them that it is not inevitable. Things can change and I ask them to continue to hold us and all of Parliament to account. Keep demanding more of us. They might not have been old enough to vote in this Government but it is our duty to be their representatives.Marama Davidson: Is it just young people who are calling for stronger Government policies on climate change?Hon JAMES SHAW: Actually no. I was pleased to see the submission on the zero carbon bill from Grey Power who asked the Government to focus especially on reducing transport and agricultural emissions because in their opinion "Current generations have a moral obligation to act decisively to both prevent any [future] increase in greenhouse gas emissions and to mitigate the inevitable effects of current levels."Hon Simon Bridges: Is it true—reports we've seen today—that the Government cannot agree on what to do with agriculture into the ETS?Hon JAMES SHAW: No."