Australia, New Zealand move toward clean energy transition

By Anadolu staff

ANKARA (AA) - Australia and New Zealand on Thursday agreed to move toward clean energy transition during the inaugural Australia–New Zealand Climate and Finance Summit

The summit in Wellington was attended by New Zealand's Finance Minister Grant Robertson and Climate Minister James Shaw along with their Australian counterparts, Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Climate and Energy Minister Chris Bowen.

The ministers discussed areas of enhanced cooperation, supporting accelerated climate action and once-in-a-generation economic opportunities that the clean energy transformation offers both countries, according to a joint statement issued following the meeting.

"(The two countries agreed) to establish a Net Zero Government Working Group to support decarbonising public services, climate-related disclosures, and sustainable procurement," it said.

They also discussed the need for accelerated climate action in this critical decade, to stay within a 1.5 degree temperature rise limit, and harness the significant opportunities that transitioning to low-emissions, climate-resilient economies offers both countries.

"Australia and New Zealand recognised climate change as the single greatest existential threat to the Pacific and committed to working together and with Pacific partners to ensure the resilience and prosperity of the region," it further said in the joint statement.

The two sides also agreed to hold the Australia-New Zealand 2+2 Climate and Finance Dialogue annually and establish a joint working group to support policy implementation.

The ministers also agreed to work together to develop adaptation indicators and monitoring frameworks.

"Co-ordinate efforts to stimulate production and supply of electric and zero emission vehicles into the Australasian market, including accelerating the uptake of zero emissions vehicles in government fleets, and explore the potential for collaboration on vehicle manufacturing and improving charging infrastructure," it added.

*Writing by Islamuddin Sajid