Fast-track Approvals Bill presents a serious risk to New Zealand exporters

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As the world grapples with the multifaceted challenges posed by climate change, various articles shed light on critical aspects of this global crisis. From legislative decisions impacting environmental protection and trade dynamics to innovative technological advancements and the profound implications on human health and rights, the dialogue surrounding climate change encompasses a spectrum of interconnected issues.

The Fast-track Approvals Bill introduced by the National Government in New Zealand emerges as a point of concern for exporters and environmental advocates alike. Criticised for its lack of alignment with free trade commitments and potential adverse effects on climate action, this legislation highlights the delicate balance between economic interests and environmental sustainability.

Central to combating climate change is the establishment of effective carbon pricing mechanisms. The Australian Energy Markets Commission's recommendation to set a carbon price at $70 per tonne, with a six-fold increase by mid-century, emphasises the urgency of incentivising emission reductions. However, the efficacy of such measures relies on public awareness and proactive efforts to address climate change.

Indeed, Kiwis are increasingly demonstrating a commitment to climate action, as indicated by growing awareness of sustainable lifestyle choices and renewable energy adoption. This grassroots momentum is mirrored globally in the rise of climate litigation, or "climate lawfare," aimed at holding governments and corporations accountable for their contributions to the crisis.

Legal victories, such as the landmark case in Europe where the Swiss government was found to have failed in its emission reduction obligations, set important precedents with potential ramifications for climate litigation worldwide. Similarly, international negotiations, such as those surrounding a global Plastics Treaty, highlight the crucial need to address environmental injustices faced by developing nations disproportionately burdened by plastic pollution.

Meanwhile, the impacts of climate change manifest starkly in vulnerable communities, such as Jakarta's coastal residents facing existential threats from rising sea levels and environmental degradation. Furthermore, the climate crisis extends beyond physical repercussions to affect mental health, with research indicating the psychological toll of extreme weather events and environmental degradation.

Health implications of climate change extend beyond mental well-being, with studies projecting a rise in strokes linked to temperature extremes, particularly in regions with higher levels of poverty. Amid these challenges, technological innovations offer glimpses of hope, as exhibited by the rapid advancements in electric vehicle technology showcased in Formula E racing.

In conclusion, we are looking at a comprehensive overview of the complex interplay between legislative frameworks, societal attitudes, technological advancements, and health impacts in the context of the climate crisis. By integrating these diverse perspectives, stakeholders can better understand the multifaceted nature of the challenge and identify pathways towards collective action and resilience in the face of climate change.

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The National Government's new Fast-track Approvals Bill was not assessed for consistency with any of our free trade commitments prior to being introduced to the House and its probable development repercussions increasingly appear inconsistent with the likely rise in the price of carbon and public opinions of the desired responses to climate change. In particular the Bill constitutes an implicit subsidy for our exporters, a point made clearer by additional intentions to weaken freshwater and biodiversity protections to reduce costs to farmers which rather than enabling business may expose us to financial liabilities and reputational damage. Read more…

So what might be a fair price for taxing Carbon emissions? Carbon tax rates vary greatly worldwide, ranging from less than US$1.00 per tCO2e, to more than US$150 per tCO2e, in countries such as Sweden and Uruguay. Here in New Zealand it is presently priced at NZ$55 (US$33) per tCO2e, which is widely regarded as too low to effect real change. The Australian Energy Markets Commission (who sets the market rules) recently called for a price starting at AU$70 (US$46) per tCO2e and rising steadily to AU$420 (US$277) per tCO2e by 2050. And sooner or later, what happens in Australia always impacts New Zealand. Read more…

Not that New Zealanders are waiting for the price of Carbon to reach levels that shape behaviour, as we are already becoming increasingly aware about how to most effectively combat climate change. Growing numbers of New Zealanders understand that the adoption of renewable energy sources and a car-free lifestyle have a greater impact on carbon footprint reduction than recycling. Furthermore, a recent study from Rewiring Aotearoa found NZ households can now save between $1,400 and $4,700 a year by fully decarbonising their households. What’s not to like about that. Read more…

And now for a term we hadn’t heard of before – “climate lawfare”. There is a growing number of climate lawsuits against governments and fossil fuel companies, to hold them accountable for activities harmful to the climate and natural environment. But can climate litigation drive change? The number of cases are only going to rise exponentially with the number of court victories and as the size of the pile of legal evidence grows, it will only get easier to hold governments and companies accountable. Read more…

For example, a 2,000 women strong group called Swiss Elders for Climate Protection have recently achieved a monumental victory, where the European Court of Human Rights declared, the Swiss government had failed to implement an adequate emission reduction strategy. This court ruling could affect how climate litigation plays out here in New Zealand, as courts here regularly consider cases from overseas when determining claims. This could positively influence current cases here in New Zealand, including Lawyers for Climate Action v Climate Change Commission. Read more…

From the front lines of negotiations for a world-first Plastics Treaty rings Tiwonge Mzumara-Gawa’s bold declaration that we need to flip the script: the burden caused by plastic pollution to nations with developing infrastructure must be at the forefront of treaty negotiations. She explains the looming costs of adopting single-use consumerism in places where waste management, recycling, and wastewater systems can’t keep up. Case in point: Mzumara-Gawa’s mother country, Malawi. Read more…

The world’s fastest-sinking metropolis is not a title any city aspires to. Residents of Jakarta have been retreating from rising waters for the last 25 years but the world’s efforts to mitigate climate change failed to save them from its impacts. Coastal erosion has caused a rise in respiratory and dermatological issues, unpredictable weather has rattled a generation of seafarers, and the compounding of climate impacting is leading to dire economic and social consequences. With limited mobility and a variety of climate crises whichever way they turn, what are the people of Jakarta to do? Read more…

“Our findings are extremely alarming,” is not the type of sentence one usually finds in the discussion sections of academic papers. Yet the research covered in this article shows a changing climate doesn’t just shape the environment in which we live. Rather, the climate crisis spurs tangible transformations in our very brains. You don’t need to go to war to suffer from PTSD: the violence of a hurricane or wildfire is enough. And it appears that, due to epigenetic inheritance, you don’t even need to be born yet. Read more…

In 2019 alone, more than half a million people died due to a stroke linked to high and low temperatures. With the world getting warmer due to climate change, that number is expected to rise. Researchers looked at temperatures and strokes in 204 countries and territories. stroke deaths connected to extreme temperatures are disproportionately concentrated in parts of the world with higher levels of people living in poverty. Strokes are already a significant health problem, and likely to get worse due to climate change. Read more…

Technical developments in car racing, tend to end up in various forms in the cars that we drive off dealer showrooms. And it’s no different in the world of Formula E, battery technologies are moving at lightning speeds. It is hoped that these technical advancements will end up in the cars we drive someday. Batteries can cost up to $268,000 per racing season. But whether it’s race or road, charge times, power of batteries and longevity are all things that concern real world EV users and race car teams. Read more…

This week we have the following innovation articles we hope you find interesting:

Hydrology Report - 9 May 2024

Electricity Price Index - 9 May 2024

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