New Zealand makes further climate commitments

New Zealand is taking action to reduce the potent global warming hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) gases.Climate Minister James Shaw says “The global agreement to reduce these potent greenhouse gases is another step in New Zealand’s commitment to reduce global warming. It is estimated that this will avoid 0.5 degrees of warming by the end of the Century."The Kigali Amendment, which New Zealand ratified today in New York alongside several countries, is an international agreement to reduce the levels of hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) gases in the Earth’s atmosphere.“These gases are a major source of global warming. It’s estimated that if Kigali is successful, it could avoid warming of up to 0.5 degrees by the end of the Century."“This is major news for achieving our commitments under the Paris Agreement to cap global warming to 1.5 degrees,” said James Shaw.The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has been leading the implementation of the Kigali Amendment for New Zealand.Read more