New Zealand announces emergency due to climate change

The New Zealand government has launched a new initiative. It requires government agencies to by 2025

year to go emission neutralcarbon. This is proposed to be done in part by eliminating the use of coal as fuel and purchasing electric vehicles for employees. The initiative was announced as part of the introduction of a state of emergency due to climate change in the country.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern explained,that the government, as a rule, declares an emergency regime only in the event of natural disasters. However, if climate change is not addressed right now, Adern said, such disasters are inevitable.

The declaration of a state of emergency did not introduce newlaws and spending of budget funds. This makes it largely symbolic. But Ardern promised to back up the declaration with “decisive action.”

The declaration says that climate changeis one of the greatest challenges facing humanity. The authorities are committed to reducing the country's impact on global warming. The statement emphasizes that climate change will have a devastating impact on New Zealand. The island nation will have to deal with floods, wildfires, rising sea levels and water availability.

Earlier, the Prime Minister announced the country's plans to plant 1 billion trees, abandon oil and gas exploration on the shelf of the islands and completely switch to renewable energy sources by 2030.

Last year, the government passed legislation requiring New Zealand to be carbon neutral by 2050.

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