UK and New Zealand announce new international climate targets
“At a time when other historical polluters are retreating from their climate responsibilities to the benefit of the fossil fuel industry, it is positive to see the UK signal promising plans to end oil and gas licensing in the North Sea.”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
30 January 2025 – Today, both the United Kingdom and New Zealand governments have submitted updated climate plans, Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), under the Paris Agreement.
The UK’s NDC outlines an 81% emissions reduction by 2035, while New Zealand announced a target of 51 – 55% – compared to the country’s 2030 target to reduce emissions by 50%.
In response, Rosemary Harris, North Sea Senior Campaigner at Oil Change International, said:
“At a time when other historical polluters are retreating from their climate responsibilities to the benefit of the fossil fuel industry, it is positive to see the UK signal promising plans to end oil and gas licensing in the North Sea, a non-negotiable inclusion for avoiding breaching the 1.5°C survival limit. However, any consultations the government carries out must be followed by swift and robust legislation to enforce a licensing ban.
“Global North oil and gas producing countries must follow this example and hold to the commitment world leaders made at UN climate talks at COP28 in Dubai to transition away from fossil fuels. Limiting warming to 1.5°C means at bare minimum that national climate plans must immediately halt new fossil fuel expansion. Only through an accelerated exit from fossil fuels and deep investments in renewable energy will governments be able to deliver on climate and energy security for their citizens. Fossil fuels are a dead end.
“Unfortunately, the UK’s NDC is undercut by other policy announcements such as slashing environmental protections, and supporting Heathrow expansion in a feigned pursuit of so-called growth – a significant step in the wrong direction. Research has shown that airport expansion would wipe out any emissions reduction from the clean power plan within 5 years.
“New Zealand however is retreating on ambition and shirking responsibility, raising their emission reductions by a pathetic 1% and reopening offshore oil and gas licensing, in dire contradiction with science, economics, and common sense.”