Long-term strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions are important to support policy and investment decision. The UN climate process calls on all countries to submit such a strategy. Some have been submitted, others are in preparation.

In this webinar we will provide a summary of a new ANU study on best practice for long-term emissions strategies, examining suitable processes, useful elements and steps to implementation.

We will then hear about the work of New Zealand’s Climate Change Commission (He Pou a Rangi) which was launched in late 2019 to provide independent expert advice to Government. Catherine Leining, one of seven Commissioners, will present an overview of the Commission’s recently released draft advice on emissions budgets through 2035, the policy direction for the Government’s first emissions reduction plan, and the compatibility of New Zealand’s Nationally Determined Contribution with the 1.5 degrees global temperature goal. She will discuss the Commission’s approach, analysis and recommendations.

Ms Leining is one of New Zealand’s leading experts on climate change mitigation policy with a specialisation in emissions trading. As a Policy Fellow at Motu Economic and Public Policy Research, she co-led Motu’s research programme on “Shaping New Zealand’s Low-Emission Future.” She has held policy positions at the Ministry for the Environment and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Before moving to New Zealand, she held policy positions in the US. She provides consulting through Silver Lining Global Solutions and was trained as a Climate Leader under The Climate Reality Project launched by Al Gore.