This week ACT leader and Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour reaffirmed his party’s call for New Zealand to exit the Paris Agreement unless “realistic” emissions targets can be negotiated.
The Paris Agreement is the world’s most significant international treaty on climate change, aiming to limit global warming and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Signed in 2015 at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP21) in Paris, the agreement brought together nearly 200 countries; including Aotearoa New Zealand; in a shared commitment to address the climate crisis.
At its heart, the Paris Agreement seeks to keep the rise in global average temperatures “well below” 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, while pursuing efforts to limit warming to 1.5 degrees. Scientists say this threshold is critical to avoiding the worst impacts of climate change, including more extreme weather events, sea-level rise, and loss of biodiversity.
Each country is required to set its own emissions reduction targets, known as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), and update them every five years. The agreement also commits wealthy countries to supporting developing nations with climate finance, technology, and capacity-building to adapt to climate impacts.
Unlike earlier treaties, the Paris Agreement is built on flexibility. Countries set their own goals, but must report regularly on their progress and face international scrutiny. This transparency is designed to create accountability and encourage nations to raise their ambition over time.
New Zealand, for example, has pledged to cut net greenhouse gas emissions by 50 percent below 2005 levels by 2030. Achieving that goal will require major changes in transport, energy, and agriculture; sectors where emissions remain high.
While widely celebrated as a breakthrough, the Paris Agreement has faced criticism. Some argue it does not go far enough, since countries’ targets are voluntary and collectively fall short of the 1.5-degree goal. Others point to delays in delivering promised climate finance to poorer nations, many of which are already experiencing severe impacts.
Global emissions have continued to rise since the agreement was signed, although progress in renewable energy, electric vehicles, and climate policy has accelerated in recent years.
For Pacific nations, including Māori and Pasifika communities in Aotearoa, the stakes are particularly high. Rising sea levels threaten low-lying islands, while stronger storms and changing ecosystems affect food, housing, and cultural survival. Māori leaders have stressed the need for climate action that protects whenua, wai, and taonga, and ensures intergenerational justice.
As countries prepare for the next round of UN climate talks, pressure is growing on governments to move faster and more boldly. The Paris Agreement remains the cornerstone of international climate cooperation – but whether it succeeds will depend on how seriously nations act on their promises.
