Ryan Bridge: Do our trading partners care about our climate goals?

This idea that our trading partners will somehow punish us for lacking ambition in climate change doesn’t pass the sniff test.

Yes, there are some provisions in some agreements, but they’re vaguely worded enough to get around.

If the UK or the EU or even the Aussies really wanted to punish us, they could.

But the question is whether they would, nor could.

And why would they? We’re a fraction of global emissions so what difference would it make anyway?

It’s methane we’re talking about, cow’s burping milk which helps feed 40 million humans.

But, most importantly, our trading buddies would have to call pot kettle black.

The Aussies set a target of 62-70% reduction target on 2005 levels last month.

That was lower than forecast, criticised by green groups and contrary to advice from their equivalent of the climate change commission.

In the UK Starmer’s being told to prepare government buildings for temperatures 2 degrees higher than normal, rather than the 1.5 limit everyone’s hoping but failing to achieve.

The big four aren't exactly doing their bit either.

Just this morning... another new climate report... guess what? A record amount of CO2. The largest increase since modern measurements began in the 1950s.

So, it’s not like the rest of the world is covered in glory.

It’s a dog-eat-dog world. Everyone’s out for themselves. And New Zealand’s no exception.

Does this mean the government’s made the right call? Can stand saddle up on its high horse?

No. But it also doesn’t mean we’re about to get sued or blocked by our trading partners.

Ryan Bridge is a New Zealand broadcaster who has worked on many current affairs television and radio shows. He currently hosts Newstalk ZB's Early Edition - where this article was sourced.