When it comes to climate change, it’s easy to assume that every country’s actions carry equal weight. But the reality is starkly different. eN-Zed, despite its clean, green image and genuine efforts to reduce emissions, contributes just 0.17% of the world’s carbon dioxide emissions. That’s less than one-fifth of one percent.
To put that in perspective, if eN-Zed were to cut its emissions to zero overnight, the effect on global carbon levels—and thus climate change—would be essentially nil. Likewise, if the country increased its emissions by 1000%, the impact would still be negligible. The overwhelming majority of global emissions come from industrial giants such as China, the United States, India, and the European Union. These major players drive the trends that determine whether the planet warms by 1.5°C, 2°C, or beyond.
This doesn’t mean eN-Zed should ignore its emissions. Leadership, innovation, and moral responsibility all play a role in the global climate effort. A clean energy transition, for instance, can bring local economic and health benefits. But it’s important to maintain perspective: eN-Zed’s emissions decisions alone cannot alter the trajectory of climate change.
Therefore, the eN-Zed Green Party should just be quiet, stop embarrassing themselves with unrealistic climate posturing, and focus instead on encouraging policies that support economic growth and employment. Prioritising prosperity for Kiwi families and businesses will do far more good than chasing symbolic emissions cuts that won’t shift the global dial.
Climate change is a global issue requiring coordinated global action. While eN-Zed can—and should—continue to model responsible environmental stewardship, any belief that domestic emission reductions will have a measurable effect on the planet’s climate is not grounded in the numbers. The fight must be led by the world’s largest emitters, with small countries contributing through smart leadership, not self-sacrifice.
eN-Zed 