File photo. Simon Watts said there wasn't sufficient consensus on the language of this year's roadmap. Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly
New Zealand didn't sign up for a global plan to phase out fossil fuels because it already committed to "transition away" from them two years ago, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says.
The United Nations climate summit, COP30 has ended with an agreement that didn't explicitly mention cutting fossil fuels, after a bitter row with oil-rich countries.
More than 80 countries, including the UK and Pacific Island nations, also [https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/579744/cop30-labour-criticises-lack-of-commitment-to-cutting-fossil-fuels
signed a roadmap to phase out fossil fuels] - but New Zealand didn't.
The roadmap follows a landmark deal at the summit two years ago to "transition away from fossil fuels" - the first time the main cause of climate change had even been formally acknowledged at the summit
Simon Watts told Morning Report New Zealand committed to that, and the deal still stands.
"We're already undertaking a process to move to increase renewable energy in New Zealand.
"New Zealand ... at COP28 committed to a transition away, and that is the language that we support," he said.
"From our position, that agreement still holds."
There wasn't sufficient consensus on the language of this year's roadmap, he said.
Watts said every country had "unique circumstances", pointing to New Zealand's high proportion of renewable energy, which reached 98 percent last month.
"Most countries look at us and go 'wow, that's pretty impressive', and it is, on the global stage."
Watts was not worried that New Zealand was awarded "[https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/579203/new-zealand-awarded-dubious-fossil-of-the-day-at-cop30-climate-talks
Fossil of the Day]" for the fourth time in five years, for its decision to weaken methane emissions policies.
"It's not a serious award, we don't see it in that light," he said.
Labour's climate change spokesperson Deborah Russell said she was deeply disappointed New Zealand didn't agree to the phase-out plan.
Green Party co-leader Chloe Swarbrick said it showed the government was not contending with the reality and science of climate change.
