Climate Change Policy and New Zealand's 'National Interest': the Need for Embedding Climate Change Policy Into a Sustainable Development Agenda

Abstract

In recent times, the New Zealand government has publicly strengthened its commitment to combating climate change by adopting a range of strategies, ambitious targets and an emissions trading scheme. Moreover, it has proclaimed an aspiration for New Zealand to become the first 'truly sustainable' country in the world. The article assesses these initiatives and claims against the background of the government's performance with regard to the promotion of sustainable development which, the author argues, has been weak. The measures adopted to combat climate change are largely of a technical and managerial nature and do not address the underlying causes of the wider environmental problematique. Although the policies adopted may help mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, they are likely to fall short of the reductions required. Furthermore, on their own, they will not set New Zealand on the path to become a 'truly sustainable' country; following that path is an increasingly difficult task given a globalised economy and the continuing dominance of the belief that infinite economic growth is both desirable and possible.