Jacinda Ardern has dismissed suggestions that increased fuel prices are beneficial when it comes to reducing climate change, saying the increase has been too jarring for Kiwis.
Ms Ardern admitted it had been raised with her that New Zealanders paying more at the pump was a positive from an environmental point-of-view after an international report which showed we’re not acting quickly enough.
Nearly 90 scientists from 39 countries, including New Zealand, have spent three years on a planet saving plan, one that requires drastic action.
She said her Government had spoken about a "just" transition to a more environmentally friendly economy and a 40 cent increase in fuel prices in the last year was too jarring.
“That means for us, to be able to transition our economy and the way we work day-to-day in such a way that it isn’t jarring for consumers and employees whose jobs might change as a result of climate change,” she said.
“That’s hard on families and that’s why we’re digging in to see what’s going on behind some of those changes.”
“That’s why we are changing the law this week and next to allow the Commerce Commission to go in and look at some of those issues.”
Ms Ardern said there a couple of key points if New Zealand was to transition to a more environmentally friendly way, sustainably.
“One of the key things is public transport alternatives, which is actually what the regional fuel tax is going into, so people have that option
“The second thing we need to do is make sure that the alternative fleet around electric vehicles is more accessible, the price point at the moment, we can’t expect families to be able to afford the price point for a number of our electric vehicles.”
She said making the Crown fleet exclusively e-vehicles meant there was more second-hand options available in the market “because ultimately an e-vehicle is the equivalent of about 30 cents a litre”.
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