11 September 2026
Political leaders outlined
contrasting approaches to climate policy at the 18th Climate
Change and Business Conference in Auckland. The conference
was jointly hosted by the Environmental Defence Society, the
Sustainable Business Council and the Climate Leaders
Coalition. The political session took the form of fireside
chats and a recording is being released here (see link
below).
Labour leader Chris Hipkins committed Labour
to remaining in the Paris Agreement and to an immediate
review of the Emissions Trading Scheme, addressing forestry
offsets, whole-farm conversions and incentives for genuine
emissions reductions. Labour would also develop a
comprehensive energy strategy, reform the electricity market
and oppose an LNG import terminal.
Climate Change
Minister Simon Watts said remaining in Paris was a clear
bottom line for National and defended the Climate Change
Commission’s advisory role. He emphasised the need for
stability in the ETS, technology-led agricultural methane
reductions and continued electrification. He defended the
proposed LNG facility as insurance against dry-year
electricity shortages.
Green Party co-leader Chlöe
Swarbrick advocated greater emphasis on domestic emissions
reductions, an energy strategy and strengthening the
independent role of the Climate Change Commission.
ACT
leader David Seymour supported the ETS as an efficient
mechanism but questioned New Zealand’s Paris obligations
and proposed abolishing the Commission, with its statutory
functions returning to the responsible ministry.
Advertisement – scroll to continue reading
New
Zealand First’s Dr David Wilson called for withdrawal from
Paris, review of the Commission and structural
electricity-market reform.
The Opportunity Party’s
Qiulae Wong announced a $1 billion Industry Energy
Resilience Fund, financed through a green bond backed by
future ETS auction revenue, and argued for cross-party
commitments on both mitigation and adaptation.
EDS CEO
and moderator Gary Taylor noted that the clearest common
ground was around energy security, increased renewable
generation and the need for practical action on climate
adaptation, although parties differed on how adaptation
should be funded and delivered.
“There was
significant, but not universal, support for a national
energy strategy, retaining an independent Climate Change
Commission and remaining in the Paris Agreement. While most
parties recognised the importance of a credible ETS, they
differed markedly on the need for further reform,” Mr
Taylor
said.
EDS speaks for the environment. It has influence.
Since 1971, EDS has been driving environmental protection in Aotearoa New Zealand
through law and policy change. That’s why it’s one of this country’s most influential non-
profit organisations when it comes to achieving better environmental outcomes.
EDS has expertise in key disciplines including law, planning, landscape and science. It
operates as a policy think-tank, a litigation advocate, and a collaborator – bringing together
the private and public sectors for constructive engagement.
EDS runs conferences and seminars on topical issues, including an annual Environmental
Summit and the Climate Change and Business Conference.
EDS is a registered charity and donations to it are tax-deductible.
