By Caleb Fotheringham, RNZ Pacific journalist
Palau’s leader says the world needs to be working toward reducing emissions and “not dropping targets”, in response to New Zealand slashing its methane reduction goals.
Last month, the New Zealand government announced it would cut biogenic methane reduction targets to 14-24 percent below 2017 levels by 2050. The previous target was a reduction of 24-47 percent.
Palauan President Surangel Whipps Jr, who is in Brazil for the annual United Nations climate change conference, COP30, said more work needed to go into finding solutions.
- READ MORE: Climate change minister defends weakened methane emissions target ahead of COP30
- COP30: NZ must commit to buying offshore credits to meet Paris target, climate experts say
- Pacific leaders to push 100 percent renewable energy plan at COP30 in Belém
- Indigenous activists storm COP30 climate summit in Brazil, demanding action
- Other COP30 reports
“[It’s] unfortunate because we all need to be working toward reduction, not dropping targets,” Whipps said.
“Countries struggle because it’s about making sure that their people have their jobs and maintain their industry. I can see the reason why maybe those targets were dropped, but that means we just need to work harder.”
Whipps said it probably meant the government needed to “step up” and help farmers reduce emissions.
Tuvalu’s climate minister also told RNZ Pacific he was disheartened by the new goal.
New Zealand Climate Minister Simon Watts previously told RNZ Pacific in a statement that methane reduction was limited by technology and the only alternative would have been to cut agriculture production.
“New Zealand has some of the most emissions-efficient farmers in the world, and we export to meet global demand,” Watts said.
“If we cut production to meet targets, we risk shifting production to countries who are not as emissions-efficient, which would add to global warming and have a greater impact on the Pacific.”
NZ ‘doesn’t care about Pacific’ – campaigner
Pacific Islands Climate Action Network campaigner Sindra Sharma said she wanted to know what scientists Watts spoke with.
“I’d like to see what the data is behind New Zealand having the most emissions-efficient farmers. It blows my mind that that is something he would say.”
Sharma said it was especially disappointing given New Zealand was a member of the Pacific Islands Forum.
“I think the signal that sends is extremely harmful. It shows we don’t care about the Pacific.”
Speaking to RNZ Morning Report on Thursday, Watts said the country had not weakened its ambitions on climate change.
“We’ve actually delivered upon what has been asked of us. We’ve submitted our NDC (Nationally Determined Contributions) plan for 2035 on time,” he said.
“We’ve done what we believe is possible in the context of our unique circumstances.
“We’ve taken a position around ensuring that we are ambitious with balancing that with economic challenges.”
This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.
