5. Question No. 5—Climate ChangeCHLÖE SWARBRICK (Green) to the Minister for Climate ChangeQuestion No. 5—Climate Change5. CHLÖE SWARBRICK (Green) to the Minister for Climate Change: How has the Climate Change Response (Zero Carbon) Amendment Bill been amended since its introduction? Hon JAMES SHAW (Minister for Climate Change): Thank you Mr Speaker. Thanks to the Environment Committee and around 10000 people and organisations who submitted on the bill the zero carbon bill has a number of improvements. These include stronger consultation requirements so that all New Zealanders can be involved in decisions as we transition to a low-emissions economy more consideration of the costs and benefits of technological change and a stronger focus on reducing our impact on the climate in New Zealand rather than relying on overseas carbon credits. Marama Davidson: How will the bill reflect Te Tiriti o Waitangi and strengthen Crown-Māori relationships? Hon JAMES SHAW: Not only does the bill specifically require the Crown to invite nominations for the Climate Change Commission from iwi Māori and to appoint people to the commission who have experience and expertise relating to Te Tiriti o Waitangi; it now also requires the commission itself to consider the Crown-Māori relationship Te Ao Māori and specific effects on iwi and Māori when performing its duties and functions. The tools already exist to help us to avoid a climate crisis and many of these tools have roots in kaitiakitanga. Tangata whenua have been leaders in climate change response and it is time that the Crown meets the wero and sets to work. Gareth Hughes: How has the bill changed to reflect the concerns of people who don't want to see forestry offsets used as an excuse to not actually reduce emissions? Hon JAMES SHAW: The select committee and the Government have heard these concerns and we're acting on them and they may be of particular interest to the Hon Nathan Guy. The commission will be able to recommend limits on the amounts that trees can be used to offset emissions. These will help to ensure that the transport and energy sectors are actually reducing emissions not just offsetting them. At the same time we will support our rural communities to transition to lower-emissions food production and ensure that forestry contributes to a productive sustainable and inclusive rural economy. Jan Logie: How would the bill help ensure a just transition for working people in rural communities? Hon JAMES SHAW: Emissions reductions plans prepared under the bill will need to include strategies to mitigate the impacts that reducing emissions and increasing forestry removals could have on employees and employers regions iwi and Māori and wider communities. I am pleased that the bill now also includes a specific requirement for the commission to consider impacts of the low-emissions transition on rural communities. Our Government is committed to a just transition working alongside New Zealanders in our cities and in our regions. We are all in this together and our approach to a just transition extends beyond the zero carbon bill to things like the new clean-energy research centre that we're setting up in Taranaki to boost jobs in clean energy. Chlöe Swarbrick: Does he support the recommendation from the select committee for increased parliamentary scrutiny through cross-party consultation and debate on the emissions budgets? Hon JAMES SHAW: The bill requires cross-party consultation before emissions budgets are set and I very much support that. I welcome the select committee's recommendation about parliamentary debate but I understand the select committee also said that this is not the kind of thing that would necessarily be provided for in the legislation itself. I look forward to the outcome of any Standing Orders Committee discussions on potential parliamentary debates on emissions budgets. As a principle I agree that it's important that all political parties and indeed all New Zealanders are involved in planning and achieving our transition to a low-emissions economy. Golriz Ghahraman: Thank you Mr Speaker. Does the bill allow decision makers to opt out from considering emission reduction targets and emission budgets when making decisions? Hon JAMES SHAW: Members may recall that on introduction the bill contained a clause stating that a failure to take the targets or emissions budgets into account when exercising or performing a public duty or function or power conferred upon them by law could not invalidate that decision. Well that clause is gone. Members of the public who believe that emissions reductions targets and emissions budgets have not been adequately taken into account will be able to test this in the courts. Hon Julie Anne Genter: How has the bill changed regarding the importance of adapting to climate change that is already happening? Hon JAMES SHAW: Our actions have already changed the climate and so the bill requires Governments to produce national climate change risk assessments and adaptation plans. So it's only fitting that the bill's purpose statement now includes allowing New Zealand to prepare for and adapt to the effects of climate change in addition to the purpose of reducing emissions in line with the Paris Agreement. For example we know it's irresponsible to be building new houses in areas that will become prone to flooding or subsidence. To create a climate-safe future we must plan for both emissions reductions and climate adaptation.