2966 (2025). Hon Dr Megan Woods to the Minister of Climate Change

2966 (2025). Hon Dr Megan Woods to the Minister of Climate Change: What advice, if any, has the Minister received that the second Nationally Determined Contribution target represents New Zealand's "highest possible ambition" as required under Article 4 of the Paris Agreement?

Hon Simon Watts: The Paris Agreement sets out that the second Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC2) will be a ‘progression’ beyond NDC1 and to represent each Party’s “highest possible ambition, reflecting its common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, in the light of different national circumstance. I am advised that common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities is generally understood to mean that all states have an obligation to address climate change, but with different levels of responsibility. Relevant national circumstances may include a broad range of factors including New Zealand’s status as a developed country, emissions profile, including a high proportion of emissions from agriculture and significant, existing renewable electricity generation, and the feasibility of meeting the target. Setting NDC2 as a range signals ambition while providing flexibility for New Zealand’s overall delivery to respond to evolving national circumstances.