Climate Change Minister Simon Watts repeatedly adamantly denied any plan to remove the Climate Change Commission’s role in advising on emissions reduction plans, only for his office to two days later confirm the Government was considering exactly that.
1News can reveal the Government was weighing up whether to remove the Climate Change Commission’s role in advising on emissions reduction plans — a move the Green Party says would undermine independent scrutiny of climate policy.
The proposal was part of a broader review of the Climate Change Response Act, which requires the Climate Change Commission to provide independent expert advice on the Government’s five-yearly emissions reduction plans.
These plans were central to New Zealand’s efforts to meet its 2050 net-zero goal.
Watts initially repeatedly denied any plans to remove the Commission’s advisory role when questioned by 1News on Tuesday.
“First and foremost, we have no intent around cutting out the Climate Change Commission,” he said.
“The Government has been very clear in the context that that is an important aspect around independent advice to Government. That is completely not on the table.”
Days prior, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts was adamant it was “completely not on the table”. (Source: 1News)
Pressed further, Watts again said the Commission would continue to provide advice to the Government’s emissions reduction plans.
“That advice is critically important to the decision making we make,” he said, adding there would be no material change to the scope of the advice provided.
However, shortly following the interview, the Minister’s office contacted 1News with a “clarification”, confirming the Government was looking to axe the Commission’s advice.
“The Government is considering options as to whether the emissions reduction plan advice is needed going forward because an emissions reduction plan is also developed and consulted on by Government, making the process lengthy and resource heavy,” Watts said on Thursday.
“It also has overlap with other advice already given by the Commission, including monitoring reports and emission budget advice, which will continue.”
Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick said the move “beggars belief” and accused Watts of trying to dilute the Commission’s powers so the Government could not be scrutinised.
“The advice is not supposed to be convenient, it is supposed to be independent and expert and available in the public arena to hold the government of the day to account regardless of what stripe.”
“Removing the Climate Change Commission’s ability to advise on emissions reductions is like removing a doctor’s ability to advise on their patient.”
Swarbrick said Watts had “ridiculed her” in Parliament last week for asking about this issue.
“We now know behind the scenes, he was doing exactly what we were concerned about.”
Last week in Parliament, Swarbrick asked Watts if he was committed to the Commission.
He replied: “This Government — and please put this on your TikTok — is completely committed to the Climate Change Commission.”