New Zealand is "on target" for emission reduction goals

On July 22, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said New Zealand was "on track to deliver emissions budgets one and two," adding "there's more work to do for emissions budget three and beyond" but that indications were the country remained "on track for net zero."

The Climate Change Commission, which tracks progress toward the second tranche of emission reduction targets finalised in February 2025 and the 2050 Net Zero goal, said in its third annual monitoring report that this was not likely. The Emissions Trading Scheme was "not efficiently driving emissions reductions now," and the current sinking-lid target is unlikely to be met. Current policies mean it will be missed entirely next year. The Commission did note that a solar-energy focus shared across three parties' campaigns was a step in the right direction.