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The chair of the Iwi Leaders Climate Change Group says the Government has let coalition politics get in the way of credible action.
Mike Smith says the Climate Change Amendment Bill is a step forward after 10 years of inaction on climate issues, but it has no teeth.
It sets a target of zero net carbon emissions by 2050, but there is no obligation to hit it and no penalties if we do not.
He says the sectors most responsible for the rise in this country’s emissions, especially agriculture, have put pressure on government to slow their entry into any emissions reduction scheme.
"Political parties like New Zealand First are listening to them and they are putting pressure on the Government and they are watering down the legislation so we need to send a clear message to New Zealand First that you can’t gamble the future of our children in the mid to long term for the short term benefit of one small sector," Mr Smith says.
He says this week’s Just Transition Summit in New Plymouth shows middle New Zealand has come to terms with the fact climate change is happening and are prepared to act.
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