Todd Muller National MP

When Simon Bridges became leader of the National Party, he promised to focus more on the environment. As the Climate Change spokesperson, I have been working hard with Simon to do just that. Climate change is one of the world's most serious environmental challenges, and the National Party is committed to ensuring New Zealand plays its part.

Last week Simon outlined how National plans to take the politics out of climate change and work with other parties to establish an independent Climate Change Commission.

It builds on the National Party's promise to work with the government when we believe it's acting in the best interests of New Zealand, and hold it to account vigorously when it's not.

We want to find sensible and practical solutions to climate change that won't harm our economy or disproportionally drive up the cost of living for New Zealanders.

That is why we also set out some core principles that will guide the work we do on climate change, taking a pragmatic, science-based approach, utilising innovation and technology, getting the incentives right to drive long-term change rather than short-term shocks, acting as part of a global response and considering the wider impacts on the economy, jobs and incomes.

It won't be easy, but if we are all pulling in the same direction we can help ensure that our beautiful, natural environment is preserved for generations to come.