New Zealand Will Consider Climate Crisis in All Major Policy Decisions

The climate crisis is bringing more extreme weather conditions to places like Roys Peak, pictured above. Aaron Sebastian / Unsplash Consideration of the climate crisis will be front and center in all of New Zealand ‘s major policy decisions. The new rule means that any new proposal before the government that aims either to reduce emissions or has a collateral damage effect of raising emissions will need to go through a climate-impact assessment before it can be considered, according to The Guardian . The coalition cabinet of Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern already takes into account the effects the government’s decisions will have on human rights, the Treaty of Waitangi, rural communities, the disability community and gender equality. Climate Change Minister James Shaw, also the co-leader of the Greens Party, said this goes one step further since it applies to all government decisions, not just new laws, according to Stuff in New Zealand. "Ensuring ministers are aware of the implications a decision may have for New Zealand’s future greenhouse gas emissions will be vital to ensuring we all playing our part in meeting the commitments we’ve made," said Shaw as Stuff reported. Shaw spearheaded a zero-carbon bill that passed the […]

Click here to view original web page at New Zealand Will Consider Climate Crisis in All Major Policy Decisions