The Green Party says the Government’s Climate Change Response Amendment Bill fails to provide the certainty and investment needed to help communities prepare for the growing impacts of climate change.
The legislation, introduced to Parliament today, is intended to support New Zealand’s long-term climate adaptation framework. However, the Greens argue it does little to resolve the major questions surrounding how adaptation measures will be funded or who will bear the costs of increasing climate risks.
Green Party Co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick says the Government has delayed developing a comprehensive climate adaptation plan for several years, leaving councils, communities and property owners without the guidance they need to plan for the future.
The party argues that local authorities are already under financial pressure and cannot continue to absorb additional responsibilities without dedicated funding from central government.
The Greens also say the bill does not adequately recognise the role of iwi Māori in responding to climate change. They argue Māori partnership is essential in developing an enduring adaptation framework, particularly given the critical role marae and Māori communities have played in supporting people during recent natural disasters.
The party warns that delaying decisions on how climate adaptation will be funded does not remove the costs, but instead shifts them onto councils, insurance premiums and individual households.
The criticism comes after a year marked by repeated severe weather events and multiple states of emergency across Aotearoa, highlighting the growing urgency of preparing communities for future climate impacts.
The Greens are calling for a long-term framework that provides certainty around funding, strengthens community resilience and recognises the importance of collaboration between central government, local government, iwi and communities.
The Climate Change Response Amendment Bill will now progress through Parliament, where it is expected to face scrutiny over whether it provides a sufficiently comprehensive roadmap for helping New Zealand adapt to the increasing risks posed by climate change.
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