Todd Talks By Todd Muller

What's the best target to set for our emissions reduction? I ventured into new territory last week as I sent 1000 random locals in the electorate a text message asking for their feedback on the Government's plan to reduce its emissions by 30 per cent by 2030 – is it too high, about right, too little, or don't know?

Your feedback was fascinating – 32 per cent thought we should be more ambitious. Another 32 per cent believed it was about right and 23 per cent thought it was too high, while 13 per cent didn't know. In essence this confirms that the Government's position reflects the average opinion of the Bay.

While New Zealand's emissions are small on a global scale (0.15 per cent), we are determined to make a strong contribution to the international effort. Almost 80 per cent of our electricity already comes from renewable energy and around half of our emissions are from agriculture, where there are not yet cost effective technologies to reduce emissions. But we are working to change that.

The Government will invest $20 million during four years in the Global Research Alliance on Agricultural Greenhouse Gases, which works to reduce emissions from livestock, cropping and rice production.

We've also advocated at the recent Paris Climate Change Conference for an end to fossil fuel subsidies and to finding a pathway to limiting global temperature rise to no more than two degrees Celsius. Global fossil fuel subsidies amounted to US$500 billion in 2014 and that needs to change. It makes no sense to be calling for emissions reductions on one hand, while subsidising emissions on the other.

Inevitably, we have pockets of people in society who'll fundamentally disagree with each other. The challenge for the Government is to hear out those different sides and charter a path forward, similar to what we see here with addressing how our pollution is affecting climate change.

It's exciting to find new ways of connecting with people in the electorate. If anyone is keen to share their opinion on the survey, feel welcome to text an option to: 021 178 8671. I'll keep the survey open for another couple weeks.

Thanks to all who participated and shared their thoughts. Hearing from you is a valuable way to help me best reflect the voices of the community.