Greens want new laws vetted for climate change impacts

Greens co-leader James Shaw says new laws need to consider potential impacts on the environment. Photo / Hannah Peters

The Green Party wants all new bills to be subject to vetting for its effects on New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions.

Co-leader James Shaw announced the new policy at a conference in Wellington today for Green parties around the Asia-Pacific region.

"National makes too many decisions based on short term goals, like trying to win the next election," he said.

The Greens have drawn up a bill titled the Climate Impact Disclosure Bill but for it to be even debated in the House it would need to be drawn from the ballot for private members' bills.

"This bill will ensure the Government at least considers the impact new laws will have on the long term, future generations, and the environment," Mr Shaw said.

If the bill became law it would make it harder for Government to pass laws that were bad for the climate.

"This bill wont stop National from passing laws that are bad for the climate but it will mean people can hold them to account for those decisions."

New laws to open up land for mining fossil fuels would probably lead to a critical statement under the bill and new laws to encourage home insulation would likely have a positive impact statement.

At present bills are subject to a vet for compliance with the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act.

Non-compliance does not mean a bill cannot be passed but that attention to its non-compliance is drawn to the attention of MPs.

Government agencies are also required to draw up a Regulatory Impact Statement on the affect of bills.