49796 (2025). Teanau Tuiono to the Minister of Climate Change

49796 (2025). Teanau Tuiono to the Minister of Climate Change: Does the Minister agree with the recommendation from the Amnesty International Report on climate displacement 'Navigating Injustice' that New Zealand should 'Rapidly and equitably phase out all fossil fuel use and scale up funding for climate adaptation, mitigation, loss and damage..' and if so why and if not why not?

Hon Simon Watts: I agree that the rapid scale-up of renewable energy is critical, which is why this government is doubling renewable energy, including through Fast Track Consenting. While I expect the New Zealand Economy to continue its transition away from fossil fuels, we also need firm capacity to back up that generation and fuel for industrial uses that cannot transition to electricity. I also agree that adaptation will be critical for New Zealand, and I am pleased to be leading work on the Government's adaptation framework, including the announcement of the first-ever national flood map to support communities in adapting to the impacts of climate change.