Public Consultation and COP mandate

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Aotearoa New Zealand has an updated approach for international climate change negotiations following Cabinet consideration, informed by a public consultation period earlier this year.

Thank you to the New Zealanders who made a written submission or joined one of the series of hui with MFAT. Feedback from submitters has been a critical part of informing the development of the updated mandate.

The mandate has been proactively released (below) and determines the priorities and direction Aotearoa New Zealand will take when negotiating with other countries as part of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference of Parties.

The updated mandate sets Aotearoa New Zealand’s three overarching objectives for engagement on international climate change:

  • to seek effective global action;
  • promote Pacific resilience and an empowered Pacific transition; and
  • support New Zealand’s domestic transition.

It determines that we will approach international climate change issues with a view to reflecting the Government’s commitment to the Tiriti o Waitangi/Treaty of Waitangi partnership with Māori.

New Zealand will:

  • advocate for climate action consistent with the best available science.
  • call for a global commitment to phase out fossil fuels and for the global uptake of nature-positive climate action.
  • call for urgent action by major emitters pre-2030 as we seek a global course correction to keep 1.5 alive.
  • advocate strongly for greater global action to reduce emissions and build resilience in the agricultural sector.
  • advocate strongly for aligning flows of finance to global climate goals and ending harmful subsidies, and for outcomes that acknowledge the importance of indigenous rights, knowledge and values in addressing climate change; and support human rights.
  • commit to advocate for recognition of the leadership of Indigenous Peoples as kaitiaki of biodiversity, in the implementation of nature-based solutions. 

The updated mandate also acknowledges our whanaungatanga with the Pacific, and puts a high priority on standing with the Pacific and amplifying the Pacific Voice.

Participation at COP

Through the public consultation we heard that respondents would like easier access to participate at COP.

This year the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade offered New Zealand partners and stakeholders the opportunity to attend COP29 by registering an expression of interest to receive a ‘party overflow’ badge.

This will help New Zealanders to make the kinds of connections we need to support our own green transition. Applicants must be able to fund and make their own travel and accommodation arrangements and meet other requirements.

Consultation documents

Read the original public consultation document and see submissions received from organisations who gave their permission for these to be published below.

To get email alerts when MFAT hold hui or provide updates on international climate change negotiations, go to our subscription page(external link).

Submissions

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