New Zealand cuts climate programs amid budget overhaul

The New Zealand government has slashed funding for climate initiatives in its latest budget, sparking accusations of neglecting environmental protection.

Eva Corlett reports for The Guardian.

In short:

• The budget prioritizes spending on law and order, education, and health, with no significant new investments in climate-related projects.
• Critics argue the government's approach is backward-looking, focusing on resilience rather than proactive climate mitigation.
• Significant cuts were made to various climate and environmental programs, including the Emissions Reductions Plan and the Climate Change Commission.

Key quote:

"The government’s biggest new investment in the environment is to implement reforms that are going to cause untold environmental harm through the fast track."

— Richard Capie, general manager of conservation, Forest and Bird

Why this matters:

New Zealand's reduced investment in climate action amid a global climate crisis could hinder efforts to combat environmental degradation and climate change. The budget cuts might undermine progress on sustainable development and resilience against future climate-related disasters.